Looks like students at St. John of the Cross may follow in the footsteps of Gurrie Middle Schoolers. Although those are some pretty giant shoes to fill! We are always proud of what the kids from Gurrie do for the WWII veterans arriving home on Honor Flights.
Below are some of the kids from Gurrie Middle School with their principal Ed Hood and "Every Monday Matters" club leader Lulu Kulaga at the October 26th Honor Flight Welcome Home celebration. Click on the picture to enlarge.
For more information on Honor Flight Chicago go to www.honorflightchicago.org and to learn more about Every Monday Matters go to http://everymondaymatters.com/.
Western Springs students learn about honor flights
November 12, 2010
Students at St. John of the Cross School in Western Springs gathered on Veterans Day to hear about a race against time being waged by a group called Honor Flight Chicago.
Pete Mannebach of Western Springs delivers a message during a Veterans Day Assembly at St. John of the Cross.
| Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
| Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
Tracey Rousonelos (Rouso) from Honor Flight Chicago speaks during a Veterans Day Assembly.
| Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
| Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
Thomas Korenchan of Burr Ridge carries the flag during a Veterans Day Assembly that included a presentation from Honor Flight Chicago at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs.
| Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
| Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
Veterans Harry Johnson and Phaye Peck, both of Western Springs, during a Veterans Day Assembly at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs .
| Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
| Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
Since its inception three years ago, Honor Flight Chicago has sponsored 25 flights, taking 2,012 veterans to the memorial. Many describe the experience as a highlight of their lives. Flights take off from Midway Airport in Chicago in the morning. They return at night on the same day.
According to the group, there are an estimated 25,000 World War II veterans in the Chicago area, and there is a waiting list of more than 1,500, whose average age is 87.
Rouso has approached businesses and schools in the western suburbs, among them St. John of the Cross and Lyons Township High School. Both have agreed to join forces to raise money, $50,000, to sponsor a flight. That flight will bring 95 veterans to the memorial at an estimated $500 per veteran. The only cost to the veterans is the price of souvenirs they may choose to purchase.
"This is an 'it takes a village' sort of project,' " Rouso said.
The veterans are accompanied by volunteer Honor Flight Chicago guardians, who push wheelchairs and assist those veterans who may need help standing or sitting. The guardians pay for their own flights.
Rouso showed the students a short film on the organization and thanked "the next generation of philanthropists" for their willingness to help. She was accompanied by her daughter, Kailey, also a volunteer, who represented the Lyons Township Student Council.
At St. John of the Cross, fund-raising efforts will be spearheaded by the school's Student Council, sponsored by junior high social studies teacher Tom Clausing.
2 comments:
What a great example for a community.
It was a wonderful presentaion and the students and faculty are very eager to be part of this project! LT's goal is to fund an entire flight ($50,000) for about 95 WWII vets. If they can do it they would be the first school group to do so! Many of the feeder schools are helping to make that goal a reality. SJC has pledged to raise $3,000 toward the overall goal. In addition to raising funds, the project gets students involved on other levels including writing letters, making banners, helping to create "care packages" and even being part of the welcome home ensemble. Watch the local publications to see how LT may be involving the community at large to reach their goal.
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