On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, distinguished guests joined Saint Columbkille Partnership School administrators for a dedication ceremony honoring Saint Cols alumni who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Through the generosity of the Brighton Marine Health Center, the Brighton Elks Lodge, and the current students of Saint Columbkille, the school dedicated a flag and the surrounding grounds on Arlington Street to the alumni who have served in the armed forces. The flag pole has been restored and a new flag now proudly flies at the front entrance. A plaque in front of the flag pole reads, “Dedicated to the Saint Columbkille Veteran Alumni who served our great nation in the United States Armed Forces, November 11, 2020.”
“Our mission statement says that we prepare our students for lives of faith, lives of service and lives of leadership,” said Jennifer Kowieski, Head of School at Saint Columbkille Partnership School, at the event. “We are so very grateful to our veterans that lead by example.”
“This really is directly in our mission – to ensure that the flag is remembered, the veterans are remembered,” said Marlene Calisi, Vice President of Administration and Finance at Brighton Marine Health Center, in her remarks. “And anywhere we can display [the flag], we help to display it, so thank you for the opportunity.”
In attendance were:
- Marlene (Conroy) Calisi (’87), Vice President of Administration and Finance at Brighton Marine Health Center
- Paul Bletzer (’73), Exalted Ruler of the Brighton Elks Lodge
- Jim Coffey (’62)
- Paul Ward (’62)
- Jack Keating (’63)
- Kelly (Gillen) McGrath (’89)
- Jen (Geaney) Lynch (‘90E), STCPS Administrative Assistant
- Jennifer Kowieski, STCPS Head of School
- Kate Ward, STCPS Chief Advancement & Enrollment Officer
- Rachel Rumely, STCPS Assistant Head of School
- Fr. Christopher Bae, St. Columbkille Church
A virtual event was also held following the in-person event to share a video of the event and thank our alumni. To watch the full video of the event, please watch below.