8th Grade Holds Arlington Memorial Service for Alumnus Jonathan Farmer ‘99

Guest Author: Colby Mack, 8th Grade Student
On the morning of Thursday, November 7, the eighth grade had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.  When we arrived, we went straight to the grave of Jonathan Farmer, TBS class of 1999. Students circled around the grave, and we began with a moment of silence. Nathan Andersen read a sonnet about heroism followed by Vice President of Student Council JP Walsh reading a letter written to the eighth grade class from Duncan Farmer, thanking them for their plan to honor his son, Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan R. Farmer.

Alexandra Blount read an original poem about sacrifice followed by  Margaret Smith, President of Student Council, reading the obituary for Officer Farmer. Krish Raja ended the brief ceremony with his original poem about honor and service. During the last moment of silence, I had the opportunity to place an orange and blue flower arrangement on Officer Farmer’s grave which will remain at his grave until Spring.

For all the students who participated in the ceremony, we felt honored to be able to recognize the sacrifice of a hero, especially that of a Benjamin alumnus.  The entire eighth grade was moved by the ceremony, and understood how lucky we are to have the opportunity to remember him. After the ceremony, we were able to see a funeral of a Naval Officer which had a band and a 21 gun salute. We took the tram up to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.  Somehow we felt that all of these ceremonies were tied together and a fitting tribute for Jonathan Farmer ‘99. 
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A premier PK3 - Grade 12 independent, coeducational day school with campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Since 1960, The Benjamin School has provided a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment.
 
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