6-18-2025 8:31am

ICYMI - Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District - Adamsville Primary School Honoring Our Military

Donnella Tilery Editor

The heroes who have and also presently serve our country in the military were saluted for the 10th consecutive year by their appreciative friends and family at the Adamsville Primary School.

This year’s Armed Forces Salute ceremony was enjoyed by the honored guests and an energetic crowd on Thursday, June 5, in the Adamsville multi-purpose room.

This elite event, which was sponsored by the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association (BREA) through a PEP (Public Education Partnerships) Grant from the New Jersey Education Association, invites and honors distinguished guests who have connections with relatives, such as staff and students at Adamsville.

Once again, the catalyst behind this prestigious operation was the dedicated Cindy DeCavalcante Nurse, an Intervention Specialist at Adamsville.

“Students and staff invited family and friends who are veterans or currently active members of the military,” Ms. DeCavalcante Nurse, explained.

The morning was launched with a catered breakfast, followed by the ceremony when Ms. DeCavalcante Nurse, greeted the audience---who included school district officials and board of education members-- in a jammed multi-purpose room. The singing of the Pledge of Allegiance by the 3rd Grade students, under the leadership of Kimberly Ladson, Adamsville’s passionate Music Teacher, led to the introduction of each honored guest by his or her relative.

One very proud Adamsville staff member in attendance was Dan Richter, the school’s popular Science Coordinator and Technology Teacher. His father, John Richter, was honored for his devotion in the United States Navy.

“My dad, a proud Navy veteran, came to our school’s Armed Forces event, which meant a lot to have him there. Honoring his service and sharing that moment with our students made it extra special,” Dan Richter said.

A student poetry reading and songs by the Adamsville students on stage concluded the ceremony inside the multi-purpose room. Then the distinguished guests visited classrooms for question-and-answer sessions and read-alouds.

This year’s honorees and their military branches were

Thomas Butler, Army

Thomas Church, Navy

John Helms, Army

Brendan Hughes, Marines

Francis McKeever, Air Force

Joseph Nigro, Army

John Richter, Navy

Dr. Michael Russell, Army Reserves and National Guard

William Vigilante, Air Force

Alfred Wilson, Air Force

And a few other service men and women, according to Ms. DeCavalcante Nurse.