Paying Respect: Veterans Day celebrated with prayers, parades and speeches
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
Expressions of gratitude and prayers for those serving in the United States armed forces and military were exhibited to mark Veterans Day in parishes and schools around the diocese Nov. 10 and 11.
St. Joseph Parish, Washington, hosted the second annual Faith in America, A Special Veteran’s Day Tribute. The event featured an hour-long performance by the 40-member Newark Boys Chorus in St. Joseph Church.
Veterans Frank Felitti, Francis McLaughlin and Anthony Perricone, members of the parish, were honored for both their volunteer and military service.
Msgr. William Benwell, diocesan vicar general, told the audience, “It is always an honor to represent our bishop, but an honor and joy to hear such beautiful voices and to affirm the work of the volunteers. They are the backbone of a parish and to say, ‘Thank you,’ to the veterans.”
In New Brunswick, the 46 members of the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps of St. Peter the Apostle High School marched in a parade from Highland Park to the Hub City’s Monument Square.
Later that evening, parents, siblings and friends gathered in St. Peter the Apostle Elementary School’s gymnasium to watch the cadets perform at the 16th annual ROTC Birthday Ball.
“I stayed in the school’s ROTC program because they are a second family to me!” said freshman Aaron Wanser.
“When I was younger, I always wanted to join the Marines or the Air Force. This is a perfect fit,” said Company First Sgt. Larry Bugal, a senior.
At Our Lady of Victories School, Sayreville, a Veteran’s Day Celebration included a visit from members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion organizations, ladies auxiliary and Mayor Kennedy O’Brien.
Jacqueline G. Kraus, principal, shared some thoughts about her family’s history in the military, which includes military service by her husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Samantha Satchel, an eighth grader, read her essay Thank You Veterans.
Father Michael G. Krull, pastor, Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, blessed the veterans, and asked that we remember the many priests and chaplains who are on active duty serving overseas.
At Perth Amboy Catholic Intermediate School, Marine Corps veterans 1st Sgt. Brian Kahn and Cpl. Michael Sierant visited the fourth graders. Kahn, who has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo during his 16 years in the militar,y emphasized the value of perseverance and teamwork. Sierant, who also served in Kosovo, as well as Turkey and Israel, added that respect for those who serve their country is also important.
“I learned that being a Marine is a tough job, but that they liked doing it because they protect us kids,” said student Freddy Garzon.
At St. Ambrose School, Old Bridge, members of American Legion Post 211 and VFW Post 4699 participated in a flag-raising ceremony and 21-gun salute. The school has adopted a Marine Corps battalion in Iraq and will send supplies to it around Christmas.
At St. Joseph School, Carteret, the event included speeches, prayers, chorus and a color guard from VFW Post 2314.
At St. Stanislaus Kostka School, also Sayreville, Sister Sheila Conroy, diocesan assistant superintendent, Office of the Schools, was one of the featured guests in a celebration Nov. 10. Brian and Nicholas Szkodny, who graduated from the school, were honored as co-Veterans of the Year. The brothers recently returned from Iraq, where they were both on active duty with the Army.
At Sacred Heart School, South Amboy, veterans who are alumni shared their experiences and answered questions from the students during an assembly, which included a flag ceremony by Boy Scouts.
At St. Joseph High School, Metuchen, students and staff gathered around the flagpole to hear the school band play patriotic music, prayers, speeches and presentations for active and veteran members of the armed forces who are alumni. The school also has six faculty members who are veterans.
Correspondent Christina Leslie contributed to this story.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law