Central School Commemorates Memorial Day

Friday morning, students at gathered on the front lawn to hear to learn the importance of Memorial Day and to remember those who have served.

Some students shared poems and songs they had written about the day, and members of the community spoke to the crowd. Both Broadview Heights Mayor Sam Alai and Brecksville Mayor Jerry N. Hruby addressed the students. Hruby reminded the group that , who died last summer, was once a Brecksville student like them.

The main speaker, Nick Carpas, was the former principal at Central School who started the yearly Memorial Day observance. Carpas was inspired to start the event in memory of one of his best friends, Robert, who died in the Vietnam War. He told the students that he wanted a way to honor his friend and all the other men and women who had died for the country’s freedoms over the years.

After Carpas spoke, he was presented with a commendation from the Secretary of State for starting the event more than a decade ago.

“Bobby, this is for you,” Carpas said after receiving the honor.