Trees planted at schools in memory of teacher, soldier

Photo by Alan M. Dumoff

An elementary school and a high school recently planted trees to honor individuals who died suddenly.

At St. Joseph School, Hammonton, a tree was planted May 25 to honor the school’s fifth grade teacher, Deanna Marinara, who died suddenly over the Easter break this year at the age of 51. Members of Marinara’s family attended the ceremony at the school

Left, Danny Collins, a fifth grade student, places a shovel of dirt on the new tree.

At St. Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, on May 12, an oak was planted in memory of prep alumni of 2004 1st Lt. Salvatore Corma II, who was killed in Afghanistan while marking a roadside bomb after ordering 19 men under his command to take cover. He was 24. The men who witnessed the action have begun the process to have their commander receive the Medal of Honor. Corma was a graduate of the United States Military academy at West Point.

Augustinian Father Augustine M. Esposito read a prayer at the ceremony. Family members attended.