11-11-2024 8:06pm

St. Ann Classical Academy Celebrates Veterans with Time-Honored Tradition

Donnella Tilery Editor

Raritan, NJ— On Friday, November 8th, St. Ann Classical Academy welcomed veterans from the United States Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, bringing together students, staff, alumni, and community members for its annual Veterans Day celebration. The event, filled with prayer, poetry, and presentations, has grown into a cherished tradition that honors veterans while providing students with a powerful opportunity to learn about the significance of service and sacrifice.

The celebration began with Mass at the Catholic Church of St. Ann and continued at the academy, where students involved in Scouting proudly wore their uniforms for the occasion, adding a special sense of unity and respect as they joined their peers in honoring the veterans. The program that followed was comprised of a series of poems and presentations, through which students expressed heartfelt thanks for the veterans’ dedication and bravery. After the poetry readings, the students presented handmade cards to each veteran, a gesture that resonated deeply with all who attended.

The students whose family members were honored today played a special role by delivering the personal cards to their loved ones on behalf of the school community. The students valued learning about each of the veterans as they shared their branches and years of service, military ranks, and connection to the St. Ann Classical Academy community. Several of the veterans in attendance brought artifacts from their time in the service, giving students a tangible connection to the reality of military life. Medals, uniforms, photographs, challenge coins, and other keepsakes provided a glimpse into the veterans' journeys. These quiet symbols of service and dedication held a solemn significance that sparked curiosity and admiration among the students, offering them a window into the sacrifices made by those who serve. In a heartfelt reflection on the experience, United States Marine Corps veteran Sergeant Brian Ceponis shared his gratitude for the academy’s support of veterans.

“It was great to see an entire school community come together to show appreciation for veterans,” he remarked. “Sometimes, even as a veteran, you forget the fact that you’ve served, but these children remind us of the impact we’ve had with our service. We are blessed to have served and blessed to have this school.” The program concluded with a moving rendition of Lee Greenwood’s Proud to Be an American, as students stood side by side, waving American flags in honor of the veterans in attendance, as well as all who have served.

The flags were a fitting symbol of unity and pride, bringing the day’s themes of gratitude and patriotism full circle. At St. Ann Classical Academy, learning about heroes is an important part of the curriculum. For the academy, this Veterans Day celebration is more than a tribute; it embodies the school’s commitment to instilling respect for truth, goodness, and beauty, and fostering a spirit of service in each student. By honoring the veterans among us, St. Ann Classical Academy helps students develop a deeper appreciation for values such as gratitude and humility, while highlighting the importance of courage and dedication. In celebrating these heroes, students are encouraged to see service to others as a guiding principle in their own lives, reinforcing the virtues that define the academy’s mission.

This annual tradition at St. Ann Classical Academy not only honors veterans but strengthens the bonds between generations, fostering a culture of respect and appreciation within the school and broader community. For the students, it’s a reminder that the values of courage, dedication, and selflessness are not only part of the academy’s mission but are qualities they, too, are called to embody as they grow into responsible citizens and compassionate leaders. To learn more about the academy, visit stannclassical.org.