Second Class Petty Officer Antonina Lobue of the U.S. Navy has seen the world. In the course of her seven years of military service, she has been to many far-flung locales, including, Malta, Turkey, Singapore, Bahrain and Spain. But when the Lodi native was asked how she felt after she was honored during a May 27 special assembly program at Nellie K. Parker Elementary School, Lobue looked homeward.

"It made me think of my son," said Lobue, referring to her 2-year old child Christian. "Watching all these kids and seeing that they are proud of what I’m doing, I just think of what my son thinks of me. It makes me want to do twenty years just for him."

Lobue may be doing what she does for her son. But she is also serving in the military for her native Bergen County, her state and her nation. The students, staff and parents of Parker School paused to acknowledge her sacrifice, as well as note the public service of both military veterans and civilians who have shaped and supported Hackensack.

Educators say thanks for thanks

Among the civilians honored for helping Hackensack were outgoing school superintendent Dr. Joseph Montesano and assistant superintendent Charles Jones. Newly retired fire Chief Joel Thornton was also to be honored at the assembly, but was unable to attend.

In his remarks to the packed assembly, Dr. Montesano spoke about what his 37 years of work as an educator in Hackensack meant to him.

"For me, it has been such an honor and privilege to have been part of this school system and this community for as long as I have," he said. "But I feel like the farthest thing removed from a hero compared to the folks that are sitting here before us and all of the folks that we remember during Memorial Day. They’re the real heroes. And what goes on in the classrooms with your teachers and your administrators is where the real heroes are too."

Jones seconded Montesano’s comments about the nature of true heroism, then also offered the young crowd some career advice tempered by 38 years of work experience in the Hackensack school system.

"Like Dr. Montesano, I was a product of the Hackensack school system," he said. "We came back to work here. Perhaps one of you will choose to do that one day. I hope that you do. This is a great profession because you can touch people’s lives. Hopefully, we’ve all touched a few along the way."

Veterans grateful for recognition

Hackensack resident Dominic Russo was definitely touched by the special assembly, during which students and parents performed music and songs that had themes centered on service. Russo, 55, served one tour in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His granddaughter Hailey, 7, a second grader at Parker School, looked on while he explained what the day meant to him.

"It’s unexpected," he said. "Prior to 9/11, support behind soldiers wasn’t that great. Now the attitude has changed. I really appreciate what was done here today."

Atticus Brinson Jr. served in the U.S. Navy in the late 1950s, working as a welder on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier. He raised his family in Hackensack. His son Eugene has followed in his father’s military footsteps, currently serving in the Army, while his daughter Arlena Jones serves Hackensack’s children as a teacher at Parker School. As his granddaughters Maya and Austin Jones played nearby, Brinson, Jr. took time to take stock of the day.

"I’ve never been recognized as a veteran before. Not like this," said Brinson, Jr., 72. "It’s a great feeling."