Newark Academy Dedicates Plaque in Honor of Alumni Veterans

 

Alumnus Col. William “Bill” S. Kaplan ’69, Air Force, spearheaded the creation of a plaque inscribed with names of the NA alumni who have served in the United States military.

“It is my hope that this plaque will encourage those who see it to reflect upon, honor and remember the generations of veteran alumni — past, present, and future — who have made and will continue to make the way of life we so dearly cherish possible,” said Bill. “From one veteran to another, thank you and thank you to your families for your service and dedication to our country.”

Students from Newark Academy’s Support Our Troops club highlighted several alumni veterans and their achievements. Secretary of the NA Board of Trustees Lawrence “Larry” Cetrulo ’67 officially unveiled the plaque with a nod to the late Lt. Samuel S. Coursen ’45, the namesake of Newark Academy’s Coursen Memorial Field, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor just one year after graduating from NA.

“On behalf of the Newark Academy Board of Trustees, it’s my great honor and privilege to thank Col. Kaplan for his service and to thank him for his dedication to bringing about this long overdue recognition of Newark Academy veteran alumni,” Larry said.

The plaque reads: ”In Honor of those who served — since its founding in 1774, Newark Academy has instilled in our alumni a passion for learning, a standard of excellence, and a generosity of spirit. This plaque celebrates and honors our alumni who have served the United States of America in the armed forces, protecting our liberties and freedoms. This is a testament to their patriotism, courage and duty.”

If you or someone you know is an NA veteran, please reach out to Director of Alumni Relations and Giving Evan Nisenson at enisenson@newarka.edu, so we can add those names to the plaque.