On this Veterans Day, we at Bishop O'Connell take the time to thank all the veterans who have so unselfishly served our country and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our basic freedoms. Our faculty and staff wear Buddy Poppies as a reminder to thank and pray for all veterans, especially our administrators, faculty and staff who have served our country with honor and courage.
Last Thursday, a school assembly was devoted to honoring our veterans. Special guest speakers for the gathering were U.S. Army SFC Tanner M. Welch and SSG Max G. Gideon. Both men have served several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, and are currently members of the Old Guard, the elite group of soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. They shared the history of the Tomb and the Old Guard, and gave a picture if the daily lives of this special unit.
The school also used the opportunity at the assembly to recognize and show appreciation to members of its staff who have served in the Armed Forces:
Mr. Michael Bernhard – Math Dept. Chair (Navy)
Mr. Reno Cassidy – Math Faculty (Army)
Mr. Paul Gerton – Engineering Faculty (Army)
Mr. Thomas Glynn – Science Faculty (Coast Guard)
Mrs. Susan Koranek – Math Faculty (Air Force Reserves)
Dr. Joseph Vorbach – Head of School (Coach Guard)
Ms. Mary Quinn – Field Hockey Coach (Army)
Mr. James Ewings – Football Asst. Coach (Marine)
Mr. Quinn Holloman – Basketball Asst. Coach (Navy)
Mr. Rodney Patterson – Football Asst. Coach (Army)
Pictured - SSG Gideon and SFC Welch are flanked by Mary Lou Wentzel (far left), who organized the school's Veterans Day observance, and Mary Quinn (far right).