It's a Tradition: Field Day at Cedar Hill School

It's a day that all students at Bernards Township's elementary schools await with anticipation — Field Day, an event that's a little customized for each school, but always planned with a goal of fun, games and a celebration of the coming last day of school.

On Monday, the students added a few reflective moments to their fun morning by inviting and honoring eight local veterans to the kick of that school's Field Day 2012.

Cedar Hill Principal Joe Mollica said that the school decided to honor the veterans at Field Day this year because, "There's been quite a long-term struggle taking place over the last 10 years, and we just wanted them to know that we know how long it's been, how much it has cost us in lives and men and women wounded, and that it's still going on. We remember and appreciate them."

Students at the school sang the National Anthem before kicking off the games.

The veterans who attended the Field Day ceremony were John Sternick of Bernardsville, Bob Marino of Basking Ridge; Kevin Barry of Bernardsville, Joe Bennett of Basking Ridge; Peter Hockmeyer of Basking Ridge; Ryan Shane of Basking Ridge; Dayton Trinkle of Basking Ridge and township resident and veteran Bill Koch, who also is a member of the

Each school arranges its own Field Day event.