Aquinas Academy Students Recognize Veterans

This past Wednesday in celebration of Veterans Day Aquinas Academy students performed a color ceremony giving special recognition to all Aquinas Academy alumni and all veterans who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The ceremony was conducted entirely by members of the Aquinas student body ranging in class from 2nd grade through 12th grade.

The service opened with a student color guard presenting and posting the national colors and all of the military service organizational colors. While a reviewing stand of active duty, retired and former officers observed, the eight person unit marched under the command of Lara Hainan. Anne Dolan acted as the Master of Ceremonies. Other student speakers included Louis Bentivenga and Morgan Randall. The orchestra and the choir performed the National Anthem and other patriotic melodies. The ceremony was highlighted with the presentation of a Memorial Wreath and the rendering of ceremonial honors with the sounding of taps by student trumpeters. It concluded with the retirement of the colors. The color guard departed marching to the orchestra’s rendition of the Washington Post March.

Mr. Greg Dolan, Middle School History teacher, commented "A few of the students in the color guard learned last week about the importance of military discipline, including marching in formation, and how George Washington passed the winter at Valley Forge training and drilling with his men. These virtues of discipline and self-control complemented today's expression of patriotism, and our Founding Fathers would be honored by this tribute."