SARANAC — As Edsel Roberts was setting up chairs for Thursday's assembly at Saranac Elementary School, little did he know he was getting the gymnasium ready for his own celebration.
A short while later, Roberts, a building custodian for the past 10 years, was summoned back to the gym by phys-ed teacher Mark Burrell to "clean up a spill."
When he entered the packed gym, Roberts was greeted with thunderous applause and a sea of signs thanking him for his military service.
SURPRISE CELEBRATION
Co-workers at the tight-knit school had helped arrange to put the 73-year-old U.S. Army veteran on the May 18 North Country Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., and they wanted to surprise him with the news.
It worked. The slender, gray-haired man, who served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969, was stunned upon entering his reception.
"I'm very, very surprised," Roberts said after the ceremony.
"When I got home (from Vietnam) we didn't have anything like this."
'HEART OF SCHOOL'
Roberts was described by the school community as a completely selfless person who is willing to do anything to help at any time.
"He is the heart of our school," Saranac Elementary School Principal Tracy Manor said, bringing her fingers together forming a heart shape.
"He really gives so much of himself, and what is so impressive about Edsel is his heart and his work ethic. He really puts passion and pride in what he does," Manor said.
"He never complains, there's never second guessing; it's just, 'What can I do? How can I be of service to you today?' And that, in my mind, is Edsel in a nutshell."
The students wore red, white and blue on Thursday and made signs thanking Roberts for his service.
He was handed roses by several students as he made his way onto the stage as the day's guest of honor.
SPOUSE SUPPORT
Sandy Roberts, his wife of 52 years, was there to experience the thrill with him.
"I'm lucky I got her because I don't think I'd be here today without her," Roberts said, adding that transitioning from Vietnam to civilian life was not easy for him.
Longtime teacher Janis Carter presented him with a handcrafted, wooden American flag.
"I've seen many custodians come and go, but from the first day he came into my classroom, it was: 'What can I do for you?' and he had my heart," Carter said.
"He is the kindest, sweetest man, and he truly has been a gift to Saranac Elementary School."
Roberts was also given a handmade quilt from the Saranac Family School Organization.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
Retired State Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, executive director of operations for North Country Honor Flight, told the students that it is people like their beloved custodian who have helped preserve freedom in this country.
"It is because of people like Edsel that your family and my family can say what we want to say and we can disagree without being disagreeable and to be free," she said.
Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman, who is flight leader for the May 18 Honor Flight that Roberts will be a part of, reminded the students how special he — and honoring him for his service — is.
"You will have moments in school that you will remember the rest of your lives," Cashman said. "This is one of them. Thank you for honoring your friend."
EXCITED
Roberts is excited to be going to Washington with his fellow soldiers.
"I never thought I could go on a trip like that," he said.
He said he loves coming to work for Manor and the staff and students at Saranac Elementary every day.
"I love everything about it," he said.
"The teachers, kids and my boss. She is a very special person, and I respect her very much."
Manor said it is Roberts who is special and that honoring him was also a great lesson for the young students.
"It was everything that I wanted it to be," she said.
"They (veterans) are the reason we enjoy freedom every single day, we have the ability to choose whatever we want to be and have the opportunities that we do have, and I do think that sometimes that gets lost.
"So any moment we can bring that back to light, especially for our youngest kiddos, means the world to us."
Email Joe LoTemplio:
jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
Twitter: @jlotemplio
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