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November 12, 2024Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School was proud to honor veterans during our annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11.
After an invocation from Tony Redding '89 and the Pledge of Allegiance from Student Council Executive President Christopher McMichael, the VASJ Pep Band performed the National Anthem.
This year's featured speaker was Michael Strainic '67. Strainic was a member of the Navy Construction Battalion, better known as the Navy SeaBees, in Vietnam. The SeaBees were responsible for building much of the temporary and permanent infrastructures at U.S. military locations throughout the world.
Strainic is a life member of the Catholic War Veterans of the USA and a volunteer at All Souls Cemetery, Willoughby Cemetery, Wickliffe Cemetery, and Wellsville St. Elizabeth Cemetery. Every year he volunteers to help place flags on the graves of servicemen and women for Memorial Day. He also helps veterans in need, especially homeless veterans, and volunteers at the Veterans Hospital.
Strainic and his wife, Germaine '68, have five children who graduated from VASJ.
Following the keynote address, VASJ students lit memorial candles in honor of those who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terror.
The ceremony ended with a Remembrance Prayer recited by Student Council Executive Vice President Leia Seals, a benediction from Redding '89, and the playing of taps.
After the assembly, a memorial wreath was placed on the VASJ Veterans Memorial outside in the school courtyard.
Thank you to all veterans and first responders for your service, bravery and sacrifice.
