Immaculate honors Veterans Day
Immaculate High School honored those who have sacrificed their lives for the country at a Veterans Day Tribute. The patriotic ceremony included distinguished alumni veterans, Mayor Dean Esposito, Commissioner of Veteran Affairs Tom Saadi, Col. Andy Morgado and student performers.
Visitors were greeted by the school’s Veterans Hill of Honor on its front lawn. Members of the Immaculate community purchased flags with yellow ribbons recognizing a veteran special to them by name. Proceeds of $1,500 were presented to Saadi to support the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Immaculate Inspire Choir sang the National Anthem and President Mary Maloney welcomed guests, followed by a prayer by Chaplain Father Philip Phan and speech from Esposito.
Saadi and Morgado, who both graduated from Immaculate High School, also spoke. Both urged students to thank veterans for the freedoms they enjoy Immaculate’s Concert Band performed during the ceremony and ended with a patriotic John Philip Sousa song.
The ceremony closed with a moment of silence, the playing of Taps, a presentation of gifts to the veterans present and a flagraising outside the school as the Inspire Choir sang America the Beautiful.