Veterans and servicemen visit St. James School in celebration of Veterans Day
Even though Veterans Day is on the weekend this year, St. James School in Killingly did something special to mark the day.
The PreK-8 Catholic school invited over 30 local veterans, with many being family of students and staff in the school, to visit the students and share their experiences in the military, and talk about the importance of recognizing the sacrifices veterans made.
A daylong conversation and celebration
The day started with an assembly in the gym. The younger kids were dressed in ordinary clothes, while the older ones were in their red and white school colors. They were talkative, but quieted quickly with a few synchronized claps. Veterans from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, men and women, introduced to the student body, and given prayers and speeches by staff, parents, and the older students.
Then the students returned to their classes, and would take turns hearing stories and asking questions from multiple veterans throughout the day, even at lunchtime. The school hallways were also decorated with patriotic streamers and a Wall of Heroes beside the hallway crucifix were students provided pictures and short descriptions of the veterans in their families, living and dead.
The idea for this event came from Sterling resident Christine Sansouci, whose daughter is attending the middle school. She had been going to Sterling Community School, where this had been an established tradition, and there are plenty of veterans her family. Sansouci’s father even attended the ones held at Sterling Community School.
“My father recently passed away a year ago, so it was a personal thing as well, to continue the tradition my father enjoyed,” she said.
Sansouci wanted to bring it to St. James School, and brought it up at the end of the summer, with Stephanie MacFarland, chair of the school’s parent group. MacFarland and, Principal Elyse McAteer were immediately on board, Sansouci said.
“I hope the students learn a lot, “ she said. “It makes the veterans feel appreciated, so it’s a win-win for the community.”
Last living WWII veteran in Thompson
The oldest veteran to come to St. James School Thursday was 98-year-old Roland “Pete” Lajoie, the last living WWII veteran in Thompson. His daughter is Jackie Lajoie, history and religion teacher for the middle school students.
Roland Lajoie is a Navy veteran. He spoke having to stay in Oregon until the ship he was serving on was built, life in boot camp, and more. He even worked at Electric Boat until his retirement as it was “a good place to work.”
Roland Lajoie said he felt good about coming to the school, and talking about veterans helps kids know what to expect if they decide to join the military when they get older, he said.
Other veterans in attendance
Plenty of other veterans and active servicemen came to the school. Another was Canterbury resident Sara Byer, who also served in the Navy. Her nephew is a third grade student, and she was asked by him to come and “have him show me off.”
“He was very proud to have me here today,” she said.
Brooklyn resident Bill Bartholic, an Air Force veteran, said eastern Connecticut is good with how it treats its veterans, mentioning the Veterans’ Coffeehouses that take place throughout the area, local recognition, and local businesses offering deals for veterans.
“I think they do an excellent job,” he said.
Bartholic came to the school to visit the classes of his two grandchildren.
“I’m going to tell them the Air Force was very good,” he said.
Despite this being the first year, it’s something that will continue in the future, McAteer said.
“I definitely think it’s going to be an annual tradition,” she said.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: St. James School in Killingly marks Veterans Day with veterans' visit
