On the morning of Thursday, November 13, students and faculty gathered on the front lawn of JP Stevens for the annual Field of Flags Ceremony. Presented by assistant principal Mr. Robert Robinson, this event recognized current veterans working at JPS and throughout the district while also expressing gratitude to all veterans. The event began around 10 am, with the J.P. Stevens Wind Ensemble performing the national anthem and “Armed Forces on Parade.” Classes filled to watch the speech and countless veterans from the Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and more stood in front of Mr. Robinson’s lectern. Many classes filed in to watch the speech, and veterans gathered in front of Mr. Robinson’s lectern.
Mr. Robinson explained how the Field of Flags initiative was relatively young, starting in 2023: the program collected donations from schools all over the district. John P. Stevens is a school ranked high among donors, as they raised approximately $2,000 this year for the “Disabled American Veterans” organization. That sum allowed disabled veterans to gain access to healthcare, education, and job training. After the speech, Mr. Robinson personally stated, “As a Marine veteran, I was proud to personally recognize veterans currently working for JPS and the district.”
Astonishingly, hundreds of schools across the country helped donate to disabled veterans and raised $100,000 for the D.A.V organization, a showcase of the gratitude that students, teachers, and the overall community have towards veterans. Ultimately, John P. Stevens participated in the Field of Flags ceremony, continuing a tradition that is bound to last for many more years. This event was a symbol of our nation’s spirit and it elevated awareness about the hard work, courage, and dedication of those who served our nation.
