HUGHESTOWN — Pittston Area Middle School Principal Patrick Bilbow told those gathered for an annual breakfast honoring area veterans that it was his favorite day of the year.
Bilbow reminded students of the great opportunity to enjoy one-on-one time with veterans who had ensured the safety and security of their young lives.
Students were quick to ask questions of the veterans who sat across the table — questions about everything from their experience in combat to the food they ate while serving to what it was like to return home after their service.
On the other hand, Bilbow said, many of the nearly 40 veterans attending the event expressed gratitude at being able to see “the fruits of their labor” as they looked around at happy, successful students.
“You are our guests as long as you are here,” Bilbow told the veterans, “today and everyday.”
Tom Bufano, who served in the Army during the time of the Vietnam War, fielded questions on a variety of topics from inquisitive fifth-graders over eggs and toast.
When Mason Baldoni asked about training, Bufano told him that, although the Army provided opportunity to serve in a variety of ways, some basics were required.
“Everyone has to go through testing and basic training,” he said.
When Baldoni asked about the role of spies, Bufano said, “I didn’t get that far, but that is part of the military.”
Bufano also addressed the issue of the use of solar imaging to detect people and any object emitting heat.
Army veteran Tom Skrzysowski, who served in the early 60s during the time of the Berlin and Cuban missiles crises, enjoyed spending time with the students and teaching them about military history.
“Some of them don’t know the history of their country,” he said.
Skrzysowski appreciated that the children could ask questions of veterans in an informal setting.
Sixth-grade Social Studies teacher Ron Moran said the breakfast dovetailed with the content of his classes.
Students, he said, usually first ask about the differences between different branches of the military.
Students have also learned about the meaning of Veterans Day in class.
But their learning won’t stop with pages in a book; instead, the sixth-graders will write letters and provide them to organizations to distribute to veterans who might be sick or lonely.
Although Bilbow didn’t serve in the military, his father and uncles served during World War II.
Marty Quinn, Pittston Area School Board member, remembered Bilbow’s father’s family from an area of Pittston Township called “Brown Town.”
When World War II started, the brothers were no longer at the house — having all joined the military.
Patrick Bilbow’s Uncle Frank, he said, was taken as a prisoner of war.
“This is one of the greatest things that we do,” Quinn said, looking around at the veterans eating breakfast among the students. “Everyone of these veterans paid a price.”
