Mater Christi School celebrated Veterans Day, November 11, with a special assembly honoring the military personnel who belong to the Mater Christi School community and some of the officers representing the local VFW.
After the school’s president, Retired LTC Frederick Lash, welcomed everyone, the MCS band directed by Mrs. Barb Heath played the “Armed Forces March.” The school’s principal, Mr. Anthony Fontana, lead everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance and 7th grader, Sam Thompson, played the National Anthem.
Six third graders led the prayers which they and their classmates had prepared for the occasion, and then Mr. Fontana detailed the unique history of the flag that flies over Mater Christi. He explained that the flag, after being flown over the Nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C., was a gift from Senator Patrick Leahy in 2013, commemorating Mater Christi School’s 50th anniversary. Commander Bob Colby officially presented the flag to Noah Rubman and Patrick Sawyer who represented the third graders whose responsibility at the school is to raise and lower the flag each day. Commander Colby then gave a brief lesson on proper flag care and explained why the US Flag is folded 13 times.
The Veterans Day assembly ended with a moving presentation, prepared by the 5th grade. The power point detailed the many reasons why it is important to be grateful to veterans and to all US military personnel.
The guests of honor at the MCS Veterans Day Assembly included:
Mr. Frederick Lash, Mater Christi School PresidentCommander Bob Colby, VFW Post 782
Ladies VFW Auxiliary President, Sue Brennan
Air National Guard: SMSgt. Cynthia Fitzgerald
MSgt. Christina Walsh
Army National Guard: MSG. Patrick Creamer
Mr. Anthony Fontana, Mater Christi School Principal
Past VFW Commander, Joe Gilmond
Past VT Ladies Auxiliary President, Theresa Lavalette
Lt. Thomas Walsh
CSM, Neil Roberts
Keepers of the Flag: Noah Rubman and Patrick Sawyer, grade 3
A special thank you to Sr. Joanne for orchestrating this event, our guests for joining us, the 3rd and 5th grade classes, and to our band. Thank you to all of the veterans in our school community and beyond for keeping us safe. We appreciate you!