On Thursday, November 10, the Saint Columbkille Partnership School community gathered for the fourth annual Veterans Day ceremony. Parents, teachers and staff, students, alumni and community members joined the ceremony to honor the school’s current military members and veterans for their service to our country.
The ceremony honored the Cedrone family, a Brighton family for many decades, who had multiple children who attended Saint Cols over the years. The family had 10 children they lived on Bennett Street. The event honored Larry, a Navy veteran and Saint Cols Class of 1951; Joe, Saint Cols Class of 1958; and Bill, a Marine veteran and Saint Cols Class of 1963. Due to health issues, they were not able to attend the ceremony. Bill’s son, Jay Cedrone, and his granddaughter, Elizabeth, a Saint Cols 5th grader accepted a plaque on their behalf.
Saint Columbkille held a Spirit Day in October to raise money for Brighton Marine, a local nonprofit organization that helps veterans and their families. A check for more than $677 was presented by Grade 8 students to Dan Cuddy, Director of Community Relations and Communications at Brighton Marine.
The event also welcomed representatives from the Boston Fire Department, the Boston Police Department and the Boston College Police Department. Alumni veterans and current parent veterans participating in the ceremony by marching in and helping raise the flag. James Hairston, Chaplin Major U.S. Army at Boston College and an STCPS parent, blessed the new flag that was raised by current and former military service members.
Head of School Jen Kowieski and Chief Advancement & Enrollment Officer Kate Ward spoke at the ceremony, and the children of the military service members welcomed each branch of the military. A fourth-grade student also recited a Veterans Day poem. The school chorus sang “Color Me America” and members of the Boston College marching band performed the national anthem.
A big thank you to parents Ali Del’Romero-Hughes and Kelly Hilton, as well as Army veteran Bryan Hilton, for their planning and coordination of the event. Thank you to all of our parent and alumni veterans for your service and dedication to our country. Happy Veterans Day!
