Happy birthday to you, President Lincoln

'President Abraham Lincoln" blew the candles out on his 200th birthday cake and gave Thorne Middle School students a history lesson during a visit with seventh-graders last week.

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Robert Costello, accompanied by his presidential aide, portrayed by Tom Cuff, addresses students during an assembly in the Thorne Middle School auditorium in Port Monmouth on Feb. 10. In honor of Presidents Day and in observance of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, Thorne Middle School seventh-graders invited the 16th president to visit with the class, which is about to embark on a study of the Civil War.

President Lincoln (Lincoln impersonator Robert Costello), with his trusty military assistant (Civil War re-enactor Tom Cuff) at his side, discussed his humble beginnings, his ascent to the presidency, and the sobering story of the Civil War.L

incoln's commoner background with no formal college education was in contrast to the members of the upper class who had held the office of president before him.

Students gather around a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday in celebration of the anniversary of the 200th birthday of the nation's 16th president. In response to a student's question of whether he became president to end slavery, he said, "I had hoped that that scourge [slavery] would have died in the 13 states. I desperately wanted to end it, but never by war."

Cuff mentioned that the 16th president required a special military assistant (bodyguard) since an attempt had been made on his life. Lincoln mentioned that he had received many threats during his presidency. The two also discussed the atmosphere in the country when he ran for the presidency.

Lincoln was considered an outsider from the "West," as Illinois was thought of in the late 19th century. He was the first president who was not from one of the original 13 colonies.

"That is why he came to the East to speak and establish his credentials," Cuff stated.

Thorne Principal Al Cores emphasized this point to the seventhgraders, stating that this was a man who suffered many adversities and personal failures and still managed to become the president of the United States.

Lincoln told the students, "I have no middle name, but if I did, I would choose the initial P for perseverance," adding, "If you take anything away with you today, it should be that if you persevere to do your best in whatever you choose to do, you can succeed also."

Costello remained in character the entire time, telling the students he had to leave to join Mrs. Lincoln at the theater that evening, a reference to the place where his life would end.

After he concluded his speech, the Thorne students and staff thanked him for the visit and offered a little surprise for the occasion.

Seventh-grade social studies teacher Cheryl Mustachio, who arranged for the visit, wheeled out a red, white and blue frosted birthday cake decorated with lighted candles. Several students gathered around President Lincoln, urging him to blow out the candles, as their classmates sang a chorus of "Happy Birthday."