Student leaders from Methuen High School’s JROTC and National Honor Society programs, along with students from the Greater Lawrence Technical School, led last month’s the Flag Replacement ceremony at Elmwood Cemetery under the guidance of Veterans Services Officer Paul Jensen.
The students were responsible for the nearly 300 people who volunteered to replace all the American flags at several cemeteries in the city. Twelve teams at Elmwood Cemetery gathered up the old flags and replaced them with new flags. Later this year there will be a ceremony to be honorably discard the old flags.
MHS senior Michael Holloran led the program, explaining how the teams would work together. Michael introduced the Rev. Marcos Pena from St. Monica’s Church, who led the volunteers in prayer. Lauren Gagnon sang the national anthem.
Methuen firefighters lined both sides of the walkway, making room for St. Monica’s School second-graders who marched out to the command of veteran Jack McLeod. The students, led by Chorus director Beth DaCunha, sang songs from each of the Armed Forces and ended with “God Bless America.”
Ellie’s Farmhouse provided breakfast sandwiches; Shaw’s supplied an array of fruit and water. Mayor DJ Beauregard contributed donuts and coffee from Heavn’ly Donuts.
~ Nancy Reardon
Mom Denise Talty watches daughter Meghan, 7, a student at St. Monica’s, replace a U.S. flag at a veteran’s grave in Elmwood Cemetery. ML photos by Nancy Reardon
Teen team leaders, who organized the event, took time out for a photo before the ceremony began.
