Local veterans visit Cooke Elementary to share their knowledge with students

Man wearing a U.S. Navy uniform smiling for a group photo with an elementary teacher and her students. — Senior Chief Petty Officer Bradley Dromazos with Ms. Dutcher’s second grade class.

Local veterans stepped into the shoes of teachers during the week of Nov. 6, 2023 when they visited George L. Cooke Elementary School to speak to students about the United States military. Second grade teacher Joanna Dutcher invited five veterans from the Monticello area to come into different classrooms throughout the week and teach students about the various branches of the military. During their visits, the former service members also shared with students why they decided to join the armed forces, potentially inspiring future careers in some of the district’s youngest learners.

Man speaking to a group of elementary students at their table. — Sergeant Richard Donato, Jr. visited with Ms. Dutcher’s (2nd grade) and Ms. Lasky’s (1st grade) classes.

The veterans that visited were:

Senior Chief Petty Officer Bradley Dromazos, retired U.S. Navy, spoke to students about the maritime service branch of the military and why he joined.

Sergeant Richard Donato, Jr.: A 2004 Monticello alumnus, Sergeant Donato, Jr. served Bravo Btry, 3/16 FA 4th ID out of Fort Carson, Co. from 2007-2012 and Bravo Btry, 3/6 FA 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, NY from 2012-2015. He was deployed to Iraq from Sept. 2008 to Sept. 2009, in addition to Afghanistan from Aug. 2011 to Aug. 2012.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Bradley Dromazos: Senior Chief Petty Officer Dromazos is retired U.S. Navy and a 1986 Monticello alumnus. He was deployed to West and East Africa.
Army Sergeant First Class Steven Demestrio: Army Sergeant First Class Demestrio is an Army Religious Affairs NCO. He’s also a Monticello School Resource Officer.
E-3 Joseph Levi: A Liberty alumnus, Mr. Levi was stationed in Ansbach, Germany with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade, and the 1st Infantry Division.
U.S. Army National Guard Corporal Angelique Ramos, MP: Corporal Ramos is a Liberty alumna and current Monticello employee.
Army National Guard Captain Luis Alvarez: Captain Alvarez was stationed in Puerto Rico and previously worked for the Sullivan County Sheriff’s office.

Man wearing a camouflage army uniform standing over a chair while speaking to elementary students. — E-3 Joseph Levi.

Three military service members smiling for a group photo with elementary students. — National Guard Corporal Angelique Ramos, Army Captain Louis Alvarez, and Army Sergeant First Class DeMetrio with Ms. Dutcher’s second grade students.

Man smiling for a group photo with an elementary teacher and her students. — Sergeant Richard Donato, Jr. with Ms. Lasky’s first grade class. His son Jacob is also in Ms. Lasky’s class.