HFA Honors Military Servicemen and Women with Veterans Day Program

A shared spirit of gratitude and patriotism lit up Holy Family Academy on November 11 as students and staff presented a special reception for veterans, persons in active duty and their families.
The morning began with a Mass offered for all veterans, especially those in the local community. Several seventh grade students led the opening procession with flags honoring America, each branch of the armed forces and those missing in action.
After Mass, guests were invited to gather in Kattar Hall for a special breakfast and program. A slideshow displaying HFA graduates who entered the armed forces was played, and the Hall was festooned with star-spangled bunting, American Flags and other patriotic décor. 

Headmaster Kevin McCaffrey opened the morning’s reception with a few words of thanks for those in attendance. The Headmaster also spoke about Holy Family Academy’s desire to cultivate the virtue of patriotism in students.
Students in sixth through eighth grade then performed a beautiful rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which was followed by a demonstration of the Pledge of Allegiance from HFA’s preschool classes.
After Fr. Brent Bowman led a prayer before meals, eighth grade students served a breakfast of pastries, fruit, coffee, bacon, hashbrowns, and more to the morning’s honored guests. As attendees enjoyed their meal, students from the fifth grade class recited the Preamble to the Constitution while dressed as figures from different points in American history.
Dick Brammer, Commander of the St. Louis Park American Legion, then stepped up to the podium to explain flag folding etiquette and the symbolic meaning of the white “Missing Man” table set at the front of the hall. 
As breakfast was cleared, HFA’s sixth grade students recited “The Flag Goes By,” and they were joined by seventh and eighth graders to sing “God Bless America” and a medley of the U.S. Armed Forces anthems.

During the performance of the Armed Forces Medley, guests were invited to stand when the anthem of their branch of service was sung. Each group of servicemen and women, many of whom were in uniform, was greeted with applause.
The morning’s program was closed with a moving rendition of the Irish Blessing, sung by HFA’s third grade class. But HFA’s celebration of Veterans Day did not end there. HFA parent and U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer Ryan Dobie visited classrooms in uniform, and former naval pilot Bob Kruse hosted a demonstration for middle school students, showing off the gear of a navy pilot.

Kruse and Dobie encouraged students to cultivate a love for country and to consider a military career. Middle schoolers then had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session and to try on Kruse’s flight jackets and helmet.
Veterans Day at Holy Family Academy proved a wonderful opportunity for students to learn more about our nation’s military and for those who have served to be honored for their sacrifice. What a blessing it is to be able to celebrate those who work to secure the freedoms we enjoy!