On Friday, November 8, 2019 at 8:30 a.m., Saint Columbkille Partnership School hosted a flag ceremony to celebrate and thank veterans in advance of Veteran’s Day on Monday, November 11. Saint Columbkille alumni, faculty and staff, families, and students in grades 4-8 attended.
Father Richard Fitzgerald of St. Columbkille Church blessed two American flags, provided by a generous donor to the school. One was raised in the front of the school on Arlington Street and the other was raised in the back of the school on the plaza. The traditional flag ceremony included students, alumni and active and retired members of the Armed Forces.
Steve Looney, active U.S. Navy and STCPS parent; Bryan Hilton, retired U.S. Army and STCPS parent; Todd McEvoy, retired U.S. Navy and Saint Columbkille alumnus (’81); James Carbaugh, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and STCPS parent; and James Hairston, Chaplain Major U.S. Army, Boston College Campus Minister and STCPS parent, all participated in the ceremony. Grade 6 student Michael Upton led the procession with the American flag.
The ceremony culminates a school-wide effort to support troops and thank veterans. Beginning with Operation Gratitude, the school collected Halloween candy to donate to troops stationed at home and abroad. Students also wrote thank-you notes and raised almost $550 for postage to send the candy. The school partnered with Brighton Marine Health Center to cover the additional cost of postage.
With the help of the Loyola Academy Student Council and parent volunteers, more than 500 pounds of candy were collected, boxed and shipped to Operation Gratitude to be included in care packages. Grade 8 students formed an assembly line to load the almost 30 boxes into cars to go to the post office.
A big thank you to the Saint Columbkille community for showing your gratitude for the troops!