Hometown heroes: Veterans Wall of Honor unveiled at Northport High School
NHS Class of 1987 graduate Bernadette Maldonado (center), a retired United States Air Force Commander and Air National Guard Advisor, cut the ceremonial ribbon at the Veterans Wall of Honor unveiling on Thursday, November 5. Photo by Olivia Allen.
A patriotic new display honoring district alumni and staff who served in the military was unveiled at Northport High School yesterday, reminding students, faculty and visitors to the school of the contributions and commitment of their friends and neighbors.
The school’s new Veterans Wall of Honor was shared with the Northport-East Northport community at a ribbon-cutting Thursday night, following an inaugural induction ceremony of 125 veterans and active service members from all military branches.
Before announcing those inducted, Northport High School Principal Robert Dennis said Thursday’s gathering recognized more than names on a wall and pictures on a display case.
“It’s about the lives behind those names,” he said. “The sacrifices made … and the courage it takes to answer the call to serve.”
For students, Dennis believes the wall is a reminder that history is not just something you read about in textbooks. “It lives among us,” he said. “It is reflected in the stories of our neighbors, our family members, our friends and the members of our Northport-East Northport community who have worn our nation’s uniform.”
Now a permanent on-campus tribute to United States Armed Forces servicemembers, the new Veterans Wall of Honor was built with help from Northport student organizations, including Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society and Project VETS.
“Whether they served in the Vietnam War or are serving today, (inductees) once walked the same halls we walk through every day,” said Northport senior and Rho Kappa President Matus Tambone. “That’s what makes this wall so beautiful. They aren’t distant figures, these are our hometown heroes.”
Tambone said he hopes the Veterans Wall encourages his peers to ask questions like, “Who was this person?”, “What did they do?” and “What were they willing to sacrifice?”
To illustrate the historical local prominence of military service for viewers, the wall is organized chronologically, by conflict – beginning with World War II and continuing through the present-day – with honorees listed alphabetically.
Community members were also key in bringing the wall to life, with lead support coming from the East Northport Rotary Foundation, Friends of Northport Inc., Hoops of Northport, the Northport-East Northport Kiwanis Charitable Fund and the Rotary Club of Northport Charitable Fund.
Cutting the ceremonial ribbon Thursday was Class of 1987 graduate Bernadette Maldonado, a retired United States Air Force Commander and Air National Guard Advisor.
Now living in Washington, D.C., she said felt “very, very honored” to travel back and be recognized by her hometown community at her alma mater.
According to district officials, the Wall of Honor establishes a tradition through which additional veterans can be recognized in the years ahead. Northport High School will begin accepting names for the 2027 induction class in January. Information about the submission process will be publicized and made available at that time.
Don’t miss a story
Get the latest news delivered to your inbox.
