Northport celebrates graduates and honors DDay heroes

Northport K-8 School celebrated the annual formal eighth grade graduation ceremony recently with several hundred parents, grandparents and family members present in the school gymnasium. Instructor Angel Bracero, who is also the pastor of the Lighthouse Church in Port St. Lucie, gave a moving and funny imparting of words and advice as guest speaker, referencing George Jefferson and “Moving on Up,” encouraging students to always move forward and choose the right friends. The school community also honored the Northport K-8 School Veteran Partners In Education by beginning the program with an Honor Guard of all branches of the military and veterans from all across the county. Students honored Sgt. Ray Carter, a D-Day hero who fought at Normandy Beach and Omaha Beach as part of the 69th anniversary of D-Day. In addition, Northport Veteran Partners also dedicated a replica of the Presidential limousine inscribed with the American flag to add to the school’s collection of veteran and military memorabilia. Pictured are the Honor Guard and parent in the center, Sgt. Yobany White, United States Army Veteran who served in Iraq from 2000-2006. Sgt. White is the father of graduate Johanna Vergara.