From the Eagle Tribune;
January 25, 2011
Atkinson celebrates longtime crossing guard
By Cara Hogan chogan@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Tue Jan 25, 2011, 12:28 AM EST
ATKINSON — Officer Charles McCarthy was brought to tears yesterday morning at Atkinson Academy.
The elementary school students and teachers surprised McCarthy with a special assembly to honor his 31 years of service as the school's crossing guard.
The assembly began when a student found McCarthy at the back of the gym and led him by the hand to a chair at the front of the room.
Students sang and spoke to McCarthy, thanking him in many ways.
"No matter what the weather, you were there to keep students safe," said Ryan Beaulieau, a fifth-grader.
Atkinson police Chief Philip Consentino awarded McCarthy a certificate of appreciation for his years of service and the school gave him a blue ribbon. At the end of the assembly, the students all stood and sang, "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow" and applauded.
After the ceremony, McCarthy said he was overwhelmed by the attention.
"I didn't know about this; it was a surprise," he said. "I worked part time here all these years. I try to stay in the background and then to have everyone do this for me." He shook his head and smiled.
McCarthy's children and grandchildren attended Atkinson Academy. He said he was happy to be involved and do something in the community for so many years.
Another member of the Atkinson Police Department will be assigned to fill his position.
Principal Kathy Dayotis said they tried to keep the assembly a surprise.
"He thought just a few police officers would be here to say goodbye to him," Dayotis said. "We've been very fortunate for the past 31 years. He's been here as long as I have."
She said he has directed every bus and made sure every child crossed the street safely.
"The kids were really excited to do this for him," she said.
Before heading back to class, many students stopped to give McCarthy a hug and say "thank you" before they left.
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6 comments:
Great tribute for a great guy.
He is in his eighties. Who is the holder of the PD's Boston Cane now?
Did anyone catch this in the Eagle Tribune on Sunday?
"Going nowhere
An e-mail arrived last week at The Eagle-Tribune from Atkinson police Chief Philip Consentino. The editor receiving it gave a little gasp after reading the subject line: "retirement celebration."
A quick read of the message showed that the one retiring is longtime crossing guard Officer Charles McCarthy, who will be celebrated at Atkinson Academy tomorrow. But the editor couldn't resist a response to the chief, telling him the subject line gave her momentary pause.
The response from Consentino?
"I have a few more good years left.""
Here's the link to the story.
http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x233323648/Dont-Print-That
I disagree. I haven't seen him have a good year in the past twenty. No reason to believe there's any more in there.
Speaking of which, did you read about Salisbury? Poof - caught - gone.
Oh, here we go! You can't leave a positive story to stand on it's own merit. You have to insert your opinion about the Chief in here. Why are you so obsessed with him? Get a life!
Congratulations Charlie McCarthy! Thanks for doing your part to keep my kids safe while they were at the Academy. I hope you have a long, healthy retirement somewhere warm and free of blog trolls.
Congratulations Brotha McCarthy!
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