Kittatinny footbal honors military with tribute Second Annual Military Appreciation Game

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — On Saturday, November 4, history was both made and celebrated at Kittatinny Regional High School as the Cougars played their final game of the season, recognized those in their senior class and above all, gave an incredible tribute to our area's Veterans and active service men and women with the second annual Military Appreciation Game.
“We wanted our active military and vets to know that our community appreciates the sacrifices and contributions you have made on behalf of our country,” said Stacey Michelman, a member of the Kittatinny Football Association and chairperson of the event.
The tribute is one for Kittatinny's history books.
The entrance of school was lined with 50 plus American flags and the football field was surrounded by another 300 plus American flags. But that wasn't all. There was a Blackhawk UH 60 flyover and landing, and the helicopter was flown by a former Kittatinny graduate who has been active in the military for over 24 years. The Sussex County Sheriff's Honor Guard Unit presented The Colors, a Gold Star Family was honored and Kittatinny's football players invited special guests on the field for the playing of the National Anthem.
The event was coordinated by the Kittatinny Football Assocaitoin led by Michelman and with help from Kittatinny Basketball Coach Jason Geleski who is, himself, a veteran.
“I was selected to chair this event, hosted by the Kittatinny Football Association, because my brother was in the Marines and I felt with the lack of respect shown by the professional athletes, this would be a great opportunity for our community to come together and show their support for not only our country but for our local military families,” Michelman said. “Based on the phones calls, text and feedback I've received from our guests including the honored Military guests, this was an event like none other they've seen in Sussex County let alone staged by a high school."
Michelman's connection to the football team is that her son, Derek, plays. Derek Michelman wears jersey number 57 and is also one of the team's two captains. He honored his Uncle Pete Mancini (Marines), Uncle Tony Caggiano (Navy) and his grandfather, Peter D Mancini (National Guard) and all three attended the event for the second year in a row.
Geleski said one of the great things about this year's event was including the Brown family who are a Gold Star Family. They lost their son in 2004 in Iraq. Geleski served with him.
“We put together something really great last year,” Geleski said, “But this year we wanted to build on it and include a lot more. Everything was fantastic and anyone there at that field couldn't believe the tribute. Mrs. Michelman is really the one who tied it all up nicely. She did the heavy work.”
And it was Rachael Gullette who organized the arrival of the Blackhawk.
“She took an idea I had from last year's game and made it happen,” Michelman said, “She truly made this a game one our boys, our school and our community will always remember.”
Kittatinny Regional High School principal, Brian Bosworth, said, “The military game was absolutely amazing. Our military appreciation day is such an outstanding event. Mrs. Michelman has taken the lead on this day over the past couple of years and it is such a special day for us at Kittatinny. It gives us a chance to honor our military both before and during the game. It becomes meaningful for our students as well, especially our football team, cheerleaders and marching band, as they get to personally say thank you for those who are serving and who have served in the military. We always take advantage of any opportunity to honor those who dedicate their lives to serving our country. Our students take so much pride in celebrating the military and our veterans."
The Coin Toss Guests of Honor included New Jersey State Trooper Russsell Van Gorden (Army) who was part of the Kittatinny class of 2007 and a former Kittatinny football player as well as Blackhawk Pilot Charles Fisher, Chief Warrant Office 3. Fisher has been part of the Navy, Army and Army Aviation and was a member of the Kittatinny Class of 1993 and also a former Kittatinny football player. The third Coin Toss Guest was Gold Star Family Kathy and Ricky Brown. PFC Nathan Brown died at the age of 21 in 2004 while conducting combat operations in Samarra, a city in the Sunni Triangle of Iraq. PFC Brown was a rifleman in Charlie Company 2 of the 108th Infantry.
Kittatinny football players who had lost relatives in the service remembered their loved ones. Chris Pollison remembered his grandfather, Joseph D'Anna who served in the Marines, Carson Powell remembered Leo Powell, his grandfather who served in the Air Force, Austin Seames remembered his grandfather, Fred A. Seames, Jr., who served in the Navy, Jack Sikora remembered Gene Sikora and Wilmer Corey, his grandfathers who both served in the Army in the Korean War, and Austin Van Gorden remembered William Davis, his grandfather who served in the Army.
A special thank you was given to Kittatinny Teachers, Staff and Coaches who have served our country including: Geleski, Andy Van Orden, Steve Inghrim, Sam Ciccarella, Victor Martinez, Rob Roff, and Willard Spencer as well as retired teachers and staff, Carl Bateman, Mark Schulte, Terry McGarry, Joe Spadaveccia, Fred Fedele and Allen Mantz. Players also recognized military family members who were their guests at the game.
Geleski said, “I would just like to thank all of the people responsible for such a great event. Mrs. Michelman, Coach Coltelli, Steve Russell the KCAA President, Coach Carroll, our Athletic Director, Brian Bosworth our Principal and Craig Hutchinson our Superintendent. I can’t thank them enough.”
“With everything that is going on in this country with the lack of respect shown by paid professional athletes, we felt it was so important that our school show their appreciation for our military/Veteran families and the community,” Michelman said. “I am just very proud of the event that was put together. Again there's a lot of negativity in the air lately and not enough respect for our military and veterans and without a doubt the Kittatinny community appreciates our military veterans and their sacrifices.”