Students prepare for the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington.
Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
MILLTOWN – The Pre-K through eighth grade students at St. John the Beloved School knew they had darkening clouds assembling overhead as they lined up outside for a Memorial Day Prayer Service on May 28, but they also knew it wasn’t raining yet.
They had just enough time to strike up the band, hear words of inspiration from Principal Richard Hart and Pastor Father Joseph Piekarski, pledge allegiance, take part in prayers and sing “God Bless America.”
They also heard a trumpeted rendition of “Taps” played by eighth grader Patrick Hogate, who has accepted a scholarship and will attend Saint Mark’s next year. St. John the Beloved currently has an enrollment of 513 beginning at Pre-K3 and all students gathered May 28 around the flagpole in front of the school.
Father Piekarski reminded students they were offering prayers “for the people of our country and for those who seek peace throughout the world.”
“We pray for the sick and suffering of those in the military … keep in your mercy those men and women that have died in the course of preserving freedom.”
The service began with an invocation and included a scripture reading and presentation of a wreath.
The ceremony concluded just before a hint of rain began falling from the dark clouds.
“We have perfect timing,” Hart said.
A wreath is laid at the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington.
Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Students line up for the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington.
Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Principal Richard Hart speaks to students before for the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington.
Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Students pledge allegiance to the flag at the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington.
Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Father Joseph Piekarski, pastor, speaks to students before the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington.
Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Students prepare for the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Students line up for the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington.
Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Students prepare for the Memorial Day Prayer Service May 28 at St. John the Beloved School in Wilmington.
Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens