St. Hugo of the Hills students salute military members’ sacrifice
Studies show that mediation helps decrease post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in veterans.
That’s why students at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic School in Bloomfield Hills decided to collect money to purchase meditation cushions for local vets.
“The Armor Down with Mindfulness program was started after the 9/11 attacks to keep the legacy and memory of each fallen soldier alive while providing support to those who have served our country and may suffer from PTSD,” said social studies teacher Marlia Budiongan.
During Catholic School Week, the students also wrote letters to the family of Petoskey native Senior Chief Petty Officer Heath M. Robinson. Robinson died at age 34 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his helicopter was shot down. The mission that took Robinson’s life was the same type of mission – Black Hawk Helicopter siege – that inspired him to enlist in the military in order to protect and defend Americans’ freedom.
“Their poetry and prose made a personal connection for the students, as well as the discovery that the freedom which we all benefit from, is a result of the monumental sacrifice of our military and their families,” said Budiongan.
The students purchased the meditation cushions at armordownmeditationcushions.com. For every cushion purchased, the veteran owned and operated business donates one to a veteran.
For more information about St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic School, visit www.sthugoschool.org.