The Morning Muster: A Column For and By Veterans

Bridging Generations: Youth Involvement with Rockland Veterans

When discussing military service and veteran care, the conversation is often focused on those who have already worn the uniform. Discusses are centered around navigating benefits, peer support groups, and honoring historic milestones. However, one of the most overlooked and under appreciated elements of creating a strong local veteran community is engaging with the next generation. Bridging the gap between Rockland County’s youth and veterans provides a dual purpose. Veterans receive a sense of belonging and purpose by educating, inspiring, and supporting local youth. For younger people, being able to connect with service members offers a look into civic duty, and teaches them what responsibility, resilience, and true selflessness really is.

Youth Scholarship: Anchor Trading and Carry The Load

One of the best examples of local youth engaging with veterans happens every spring through community driven initiatives, such as Clarkstown’s annual Carry the Load event. With the goal of restoring the true meaning of Memorial Day, the event brings local families, military personnel, and first responders together to march in honor of our fallen brothers and sisters in arms.

An important aspect of this initiative is the annual scholarship contest sponsored by Congers resident Sean Magee and Anchor Trading. Each year, high school seniors across Clarkstown submit essays on the topic “What Does Memorial Day Mean To You?”. This year, Clarkstown South senior and volunteer EMT Albert Ouseph earned recognition and a $5,000 scholarship award for his thoughtful and sincere perspective on military sacrifice. Programs such as these encourage students to look at Memorial Day as more than just a three day weekend and reflect on the real human cost of the freedoms they enjoy.

Building Future Leaders: Rockland Civil Air Patrol and Cadet Programs

Rockland County youth involvement with the military also takes the shape of structured leadership development. The Rockland Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol offers young men and women between the ages of 12 and 18 hands-on experience with aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet leadership.  The Civil Air Patrol, through instilling core values of integrity, volunteer service, respect, and duty, provides a direct pipeline for youth to interact with veteran mentors and active duty personnel. Cadets also get to participate in ceremonial color guards for our local posts, assist in community relief efforts, and learn directly from veteran mentors who have walked the path before them.

Community Service and Intergenerational Connection

Beyond the scholarships and cadet programs, Rockland offers direct ways for students to give back through localized service. Local high school student councils and library youth advisory boards often organize card drives, care package assemblies, and donation efforts for hospitalized and homebound veterans across the area. Additionally, through our nearby VA Healthcare Facilities, including Montrose and Castle Point, students between the ages of 14 and 18 can participate in summer youth volunteer programs. As a volunteer, students help escort veteran patients, assist with recreational therapy, and just spend time and share stories with service members. Furthermore, every December, local youth groups, student organizations, and scout troops gather at the Frederick Loescher Memorial Cemetery and other local burial grounds to participate in Wreaths Across America. These children place remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen service members and read their names aloud.

Preserving History and Building Future Support

Above structured programs, just taking the time to listen to a veteran’s stories ensures that living history remains preserved rather than becoming forgotten.When a student sits down with local veterans, either for a formal project or a simple conversation, they gain firsthand accounts of military service that cannot be replicated through a textbook. These interactions go beyond the historic events and show real human experience, which instills a sense of empathy and gratitude in the coming generation.