Noonan Elementary Academy hosts tribute for Veterans

On November 11, 2015 Noonan Elementary Academy’s junior high gym was packed with students, staff, family and Veterans. Noonan Elementary Academy is an independent Catholic school in Mokena. “While other schools have today off, we have the opportunity to honor or Veterans by inviting them into our school for this tribute,” Mr. Dunn, Principal of Noonan announced prior to the start of their Veterans Day ceremony. Led by Mrs. Murphy, Assistant Principal of Noonan, the day started off with Veterans being welcomed into each classroom, where they got the opportunity to share a little bit about themselves and how they served their country. From there, all of the students, staff and families of Noonan gathered into the junior high gym where the students lead the processional of over twenty Veterans, who are also family members of Noonan students, while singing “America, The Beautiful”. After the Veterans were introduced, the students of Noonan presented a special Veterans Day poem. Medals were then blessed by Fr. Becker and presented by Dunn. Everyone in the gym recited the St. Michael Prayer together and Fr. Becker encouraged everyone to pray for our country and its defenses, as well as those who served and for our religious freedom. He noted that Noonan is a controversial school, because it puts faith first, “we are free to practice our religion.” “This is our second year offering such an opportunity to our students,” stated Murphy. “Our students get to meet Veterans and hear their stories. They are able to thank them for all that they have done, to protect their freedoms, with this tribute. We had a special flag art project done by the students. Each Veteran was honored by name and given not only a medal but a spiritual bouquet.” The students were able to view military vehicles, which were parked on the street in front of Noonan, when they were dismissed for the day.