Clarkston Junior High School students honored alumni Ari Gruenberg, a sergeant in the U.S. Army, with a Veterans Day ceremony.
Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th SBCT in Ft. Lewis, Washington, Gruenberg couldn’t make the event, but his family was there.
‘I think this is great,? said Lori Gruenberg, Ari’s mother. ‘It’s awesome they remember him today.?
‘It’s very sweet ? I’m glad to be here for him,? said his wife, Laura Gruenberg.
Sgt. Gruenberg enlisted in 2009, and served two combat tours in Afghanistan with the 1/327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
‘I remember him as a 13-14 year old student in these hallways ? now he’s in his 20s in the military,? said teacher Alex Sennabaum at the ceremony.
Clarkston Junior High began dedicating stones to veterans last fall and plans to place a stone made by art students in the school courtyard every Veterans Day.
The courtyard is dedicated to the late Jenna Beno, Clarkston graduate and veteran.