EVERY OTHER YEAR, students, teachers and parents from St. John the Baptist Catholic School take a red-eye flight to visit Washington, D.C., and New York City. While many of the students were very excited to experience the historical and educational activities ahead of them, four students were nervously anticipating a special opportunity —one that was being kept a secret.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY DURING THEIR TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRIS REILLY
It all began when a SJB parent proposed completing an application to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Given that the school has been taking this trip for more than 20 years and had never done anything like this before, the teachers were anxiously awaiting some good news. About five months later, they got the news…and it wasn’t what they were hoping to hear. They were selected, but not at a time when they could visit the cemetery.
While the few who knew how close they were to doing something so special were disappointed, they remained excited for the trip. Just days before leaving, junior high teacher Marjorie Kelly said a short prayer and decided to check one more time to see if any other times had opened up. And there it was, 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 6. The time would work perfectly. A prayer was answered and a plan was made. It was all set. The four students were selected, and to surprise the rest of the group, they decided to keep it a secret.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL HONOR THE FLAG AS A SOLDIER FROM ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY PLAYS TAPS.
The four SJB students selected to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity were Gabby Cupp, Meara McCarthy, Charlie Majdali and Michael Kelly. As the bus drew nearer to Arlington National Cemetery, the students began to get nervous.
“Arlington National Cemetery was nothing like I expected,” said Michael.
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY SOLDIERS CARRY A WREATH THAT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL LAY AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER.
Gabby added, “I was excited, but nervous because I didn’t really know what was going to happen when we got there.”
Their classmates found it odd that they were carrying around their backpacks with their formal SJB uniforms inside but didn’t think too much of it. Shortly after they arrived, Gabby, Meara, Charlie and Michael quickly changed into their nice, formal clothes and were ushered to meet a soldier who was holding a beautiful wreath with red and white flowers complete with a ribbon that had St. John the Baptist Catholic School printed down the front.
Being this close to soldiers for something so important was intimidating.
“I was a little scared of the soldiers at first, but they were really nice,” said Meara.
Two by two, the four students followed the soldier to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and solemnly set the wreath on a stand. It was then that the nervousness went away and the students were filled with patriotism and pride.
“I was proud to do something so special and represent SJB in a really unique way,” shared Meara.
Michael noted that they had the chance to do something that “not many people get the opportunity to do and something our school may never do again.”
Charlie added that “SJB teaches a love for God and a love for our country, and by doing this, we got to honor both.”
It was truly a moment that the entire group will never forget.
Following the laying of the wreath, the four students placed their hands over their hearts while a soldier played “Taps.” A beautiful end to a beautiful morning that almost never happened. Looking back on the experience, Gabby said she feels “a greater connection to those who have served,” and all of the students remember the experience with pride, faith and awe.
The two teachers, Marjorie Kelly and Michelle Majdali, who chaperoned the trip, hope that this experience benefits all of the students “by better connecting this generation to those who have fought for our freedom.”
It’s clear that, for these four students at least, it has.