IN MEMORIAM: 2006                                                    A TRIBUTE TO ST. AGNES ALUMNI*

 

 

"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known only to God." --Inscription on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 

 

 

"Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.  They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn." --Gen. Douglas MacArthur

 

 

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.  Rather we should thank God that such men lived." --George S. Patton, Jr.

 

On this Memorial Day 2006, the 60th Anniversary Year of the St. Agnes Alumni Association, we honor and salute the over 555 brave hearts of each of our Alumni who served in all branches of the Armed Forces in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. Over 40 of these heroes made the supreme sacrifice in these wars. They served our nation with courage and dedication to uphold freedom and peace for all.

 

                                     Marines carry Flag up Mt. Suribachi              Korean War 1950- 1953             Vietnam War  - The Longest war in US history              on Iwo Jima, Feb. 23, 1945                                (The “Forgotten War”)                                             1965 - 1975

 

Today the sons and daughters and other family members of our Alumni serve in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other dangerous places throughout the world. It is fitting that we remember all of them with pride for all the battles up to the last that they won.  We must never forget their sacrifices--they should forever remain in our hearts and prayers. We stand as one to especially honor those who have bravely fallen in battle, never to rise again.

 

         

The Pentagon – 9-11-01                               World Trade Centers – 9-11-2001                                  America Meets the Challenge

 

 

“A Few of the Good Men” from St. Agnes who made the Supreme Sacrifice

 

      

St. Agnes Chapel is all that remains of the former St. Agnes Home and School for Boys, Sparkill, NY.  For 93 years (1884-1977), the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill cared for thousands of orphaned or abandoned children.

 

We  cherish the Spirit of America on yet another Memorial Day as we reach out to our friends/ family members/ near and dear ones, lest even a single one of our Alumni heroes lay forgotten or unrecognized.

 

 

          

 

(Photos by Gerald F. Merna)

 

Three Memorial Plaques were dedicated at the St. Agnes War Memorial on August 24, 1996 on the 50th Anniversary of the St. Agnes Alumni Association. In addition to its military veterans, the Alumni paid homage to the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill who cared for thousands of orphaned, abandoned or neglected children at St. Agnes Home and School for Boys (though some girls were also included, for over 93 years, from 1884 - 1977.

 

 

              

 

(Coach Faulk Photo courtesy of Bob Millspaugh, STAAA)

 

The tribute included a plaque in honor of Col. James Faulk, US Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.), Coach, Athletic Director and Conceiver of the idea to build this gym while Serving in the South Pacific in World War II. He came back after the war to resume his duties with his ‘gutsy boys.’

 

 

 

             

At the St. Agnes Alumni War Memorial, Gerald F. Merna views the Memorial Plaque that includes

his Brother George’s name. A Navy Signalman, George C. Merna was killed on Feb. 11, 1945 in

the South Pacific when his LST-577 was sunk by a Japanese Submarine.  George was 19.

 

 

       

WWII Army Veteran Joe Rosen (maroon blazer) and friend.  Rosen, the first St. Agnes Alumni Association President, served in that position for over 50 years.  He was honored at that evening’s banquet.  Other Alumni who traveled from across the United States to attend the ceremonies for the Golden Jubilee of the St. Agnes Alumni Assn. are shown posing with one of the Dominican Sisters.

 

 

 

 

 

*Prepared by Gerald F. Merna, an Alumnus of St. Agnes. May 2006