Asbury Park High School: Veterans Day 2026

Asbury Park, N.J. — Mr. David Wronko’s history class at Asbury Park High School celebrated Veterans Day.

Veterans who served in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan along with our finest state troopers and a K-9 unit came to observe singers from the performing arts club led by Mrs. Elgart & Ms. Golden perform the National Anthem. In addition to the singers, Mr. Wronko’s students conducted presentations relating to the theme of Veterans Day.

Veterans who came to visit were Wilbur V. Martin, Keith Richardson, George Reed, Doris Richardson, and Jon Keller. Other guests included Tina Watson (daughter to Tuskegee Airmen George Watson), Denise R. Martin (wife to Wilbur V. Martin), and Peter Russell.

Asbury Park High School Veterans Day Student Presentations

Students conducted presentations on the Mosquito Bowl. This game was played in 1944 on Christmas Eve during World War II. The location of the game was on the island of Guadalcanal. The 4th and 29th Marine Regiments which included future NFL players, All-Americans, and college football stars, all played a hard hitting game to see who were the best players. After the game ended in a draw, the players traveled to Okinawa, where 15 of the 65 participants lost their lives.

Besides the Mosquito Bowl, students also did presentations on famous Hispanic and Black Americans who served in the United States Army. For instance, presentations on Hispanic Americans consisted of General Richard E. Cavazos, Marcelino Serna, and Private Joe P. Martínez. Presentations on Black Americans consisted of Doris Miller, Melvin Morris, and Colin Powell.

Also students conducted a presentation about how Veterans Day was created and why we celebrate it as a country.

Finally, Tina Watson gave an insightful presentation on the Tuskegee Airmen.

Singers:

Jaqueline Santiago, Andrea Garcia, Odalis Lazo, Karen Davis Strode, and Jason Brooks.

Presenters:

Mychael Andrade, Julianne Guzman-Heras, Jonour Mendes, Alaura-Rose Pelzer, Brayan Ramirez-Vasquez, Shatara Bland, Aaliyah Boyle, Monserrat Marquez-Ramirez, Sariya Morgan-Flanders, Ivette Noyola-Merino, Melanie Orellana, Israel Quiroz-Quiroz, Alanna Steward, and Robert Tucker.