Pictures of area veterans were displayed at a May 23 Memorial Day celebration hosted by St. Mary’s Parish School in Schwenksville. (Photo: Susan Rodzewich)

By Susan Rodzewich • Posted May 24, 2019

St. Mary Catholic School in Schwenksville honored area veterans while providing a “teaching moment” for its students.

Sponsored by the St. Mary Home and School Association, the May 23 event marked the school’s 13th annual Memorial Day celebration.  The day began with a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Church, followed by a 10:45 a.m. celebration on the parish grounds.

The American flag was lowered to half-mast to honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. military/ The program also included the posting and retiring of colors, with students participating in a flag presentation, the distribution of buddy poppies, memorial wreath presentations, the reading of essays and a tribute to those who have fallen.

Veterans process into St. Mary Church in Schwenksville at a May 23 Mass honoring veterans. (Susan Rodzewich)

The annual commemoration has grown to include numerous veteran organizations from near and far, such as the Boyertown, Lower Pottsgrove and Schwenksville American Legions; the Catholic War Veterans of Norristown; the Marine Corps Leagues of Boyertown, Wyomissing, Spring City and Red Hill; the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Trappe; the Vietnam Veterans of America, Pottstown; A Hero’s Welcome, Reading Chapter; Battle of the Bulge, and several Pennsylvania legislators, in addition to its own parish veterans.