Columbia OLLIS students honor, pray for veterans
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Twenty-four students carrying electric candles outlined the arc-shaped perimeter of the Our Lady of Lourdes Church sanctuary in Columbia.
Each candle represented a war or conflict in which U.S. service men and women fought and died — from the American Revolution through the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
The people paused and prayed as each candle was lit and the name of each armed conflict was solemnly read.
“The truth is that there have been many more in our nation’s history,” fifth-grader Dalton Erdel noted.
Monsignor Michael T. Flanagan, retired pastor in service at Our Lady of Lourdes, then lit a white candle in front of the altar, symbolizing peace and the light of Christ.
Some of the 36 honored veterans, dressed in service regalia and seated near the front of the church, were tinged with emotion.
It was Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School’s 2023 Veterans Day Assembly, held Nov. 10.
Prayers were offered and Scripture readings proclaimed, patriotic songs sung and gratitude expressed.
“I think that everyone should know about what veterans have done for our country and to protect us,” fifth-grader Laney Hilbrenner said afterward. “If not for them, we would not be so well protected and would not have so much help to keep our country safe.”
“If we didn’t have them, a lot of history would be very different,” fifth-grader Charlie Ezell noted. “They are the ones who got us our freedom and helped us keep it.”
The school’s third- through eighth-graders attended the assembly, as did adult members of Columbia’s three Catholic parishes.
The school’s band played the official march for each branch of the military. Veterans from each branch were encouraged to stand and be acknowledged by the students.
Charlie looked out from the sanctuary while giving the introduction. He noticed how some of the veterans, perhaps recalling the horror they witnessed in combat and the lonely separation from family they experienced, were nearly moved to tears.
“I think it’s really important for us to see what veterans have done for our country and how they put their lives on the line for us,” he later stated.
Laney held the candle representing the Lebanon War.
“I could tell the veterans appreciated how much effort we put into the assembly,” she said.
The students and adults also prayed for veterans and all who served this country, for those who returned home with injuries to mind or body, for those who died in battle, and for an end to war and the affirmation of every human life.
In the days leading up to Veterans Day, Laney, Charlie and their classmates got a refresher course on the major wars and conflicts that affected the United States.
They also made a collaborative poster to hang in the school hallway.
“We each colored pieces of the poster and put it together, and it said ‘Thank you, Veterans,’” said Laney.
She said that when she prays for veterans, “I pray that they stay safe in what they’re doing and that they know they’re prayed for and loved.”
Charlie said he also prays for full recovery for veterans who have been injured in combat.
Principal Elaine Hassemer said this was the school’s largest Veterans Day Assembly yet.
“Every year, we get more and more veterans who come,” she said. “That tells me that it’s something important for us to continue to do.”
Mrs. Hassemer hopes the students came away from the assembly with increased appreciation for veterans and the service they’ve given.
“Many vets are still dealing with trauma from their time in the service,” she said. “It’s important for our kids to understand the sacrifices these veterans made so they can have the choices they have today.”
She said she also hopes the students learn from veterans’ example of service to others.
“I think that’s a strength of Catholic education,” she said, “that we put emphasis on stewardship and giving of your time, talent and treasure for the sake of others.
“We start in kindergarten,” she said. “We do different activities through the school year to emphasize that and teach and give them exposure to it.
“We’re hopefully helping them build up habits that will stay with them when they’re adults,” she stated.
