by Mark Huard
Central Maine Photography

On April 2, the Mount Merici Academy honor guard took another trip to the Portland Jetport to welcome home a number of World War II veterans as they returned from their Honor Flight to Washington, DC, where they viewed the national memorial to their indescribable courage in World War II, a time in their lives when they were barely older than Mount Merici’s eighth graders.

With respect and immense gratitude, the Mount Merici Academy Honor Guard, led by United States Army veteran Joel Lavenson, (a Mount Merici parent), welcomed each veteran home with a salute, and then carried their flags proudly in a “welcome home” parade, escorting them past a throng of respectful citizens representing a grateful nation.

World War II veterans were so impressed with Mount Merici’s Honor Guard, that two of them requested to join their formation, an immensely significant honor for these Mount Merici junior high school students.

All Mount Merici Academy students from Pre-K (age 4-5) through eighth grade made thank you cards for all of the veterans, which they received during an in-flight mail call, reminiscent of the mail calls they experienced more than 70 years ago. It is reported that there was not a dry eye on that flight as the veterans embraced the gratitude of the grateful young students.