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PORTLAND — The Mount Merici Academy Honor Guard traveled to Portland Jetport on April 2 to welcome home World War II veterans as they returned from their Honor Flight to Washington D.C., where they viewed the national memorial to their contribution in the war. Many of the veterans,when they fought, were only a few years older than Mount Merici’s eighth graders.
The Mount Merici Academy Honor Guard, led by U.S. Army veteran Joel Lavenson, a Mount Merici parent, welcomed each veteran with a salute, and then carried their flags, escorting them through the airport, and two of the veterans joined the Mount Merici formation.
Mount Merici Academy students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade made thank-you cards for the veterans, which they received during an in-flight mail call, reminiscent of the mail calls they experienced more than 70 years ago while in service. Observers later said the veterans receiving the cards were moved by the gesture.
The students held a similar welcome home event in November at the airport, organized by eighth-grader Olivia Saucier as part of her senior service project.
PHOTO CAPTION: Mount Merici Honor Guard students who greeted World War II veterans at Portland Jetport April 2 included, from left, Evan Vigue, Miranda Troy, Sarah Hellen, Owen Harris, Emma Lavenson, Olivia Saucier, Naomi McGadney, Alayna Morneault and Ethan Hobart. All the students are in grades six through eight. (Mark Huard/ Central Maine Photography)
