School district seeks nominations of local veterans for Hampton Heroes program

Hampton Township School District is asking for nominations for its 2022 Hampton Heroes program, which recognizes and honors local veterans.

The district is accepting nominations through Oct. 22 for the 2022 Hampton Heroes program on Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. at Fridley Field, the district’s stadium. Students and staff members will attend the local history event.

Veterans who live or work in Hampton are eligible, as are vets who are graduates of Hampton High School, or who are a relative of a current school district student or staff member.

“It is important for our students to learn about the sacrifices veterans and their families make to protect our freedom, and hosting a schoolwide event is the least we can do to honor the service of these brave women and men,” said Marguerite Imbarlina, Hampton High School principal.

Since 2001, the program has recognized local veterans as honored guests at its annual school district event scheduled around Veterans Day. To date, more than 200 men and women have been inducted and recognized as Hampton Heroes, according to Zachary D’Amico, the school district spokesman.

This year, high school students will attend the program. Last year, the middle school hosted the event and students there attended, he said.

Veterans who have not yet been inducted into the Hampton Heroes program can go online to fill out a nomination form to be included in the 2022 program: ht-sd.org/community/hampton-heroesoperation-recognition.

Past Hampton Hero inductees are invited to attend this year’s program.

The guest speaker for the Nov. 3 program will be Dr. Elaine Berkowitz, who retired from the Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel with 38 years of service. Berkowitz was deployed four times for service, garnering numerous medals and awards.

Additionally, Imbarlina and the school district request that local veterans register and participate in the “Veterans’ Day Living Museum.” Veterans will impart their history and knowledge to staff and students. They can bring photos, uniforms, equipment, letters, and other military items that tell a story.