CHARLOTTE — In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, St. Thomas Aquinas Church recognized all veterans, past and present, following the 11:30 Mass Nov. 11. The celebration began in front of a Veteran’s Memorial built on the parish grounds in 2011.
The memorial was built by Vincent Vu, the son of Vietnamese refugees and a member of Boy Scout Troop 232, chartered at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, as his Eagle Scout project. Vu was inspired to construct this memorial in gratitude to his family’s adopted country and the men and women who serve it.
Since constructing the memorial, Vu graduated from Charlotte Catholic High and went on to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army and is now assigned to Ft. Bragg, where he serves as a launcher platoon leader in Delta Battery, 3-4 Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
The parish program began with the presentation of the colors courtesy of the UNC-Charlotte Air Force ROTC Color Guard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Event organizer Geri King, herself a U.S. Air Force veteran, welcomed the nearly 150 attendees, veterans from the parish and surrounding community, family and friends. Deacon Paul Sparrow delivered the opening prayer and spoke of the impact of military veterans in his own family, including his son, who is serving as a major in the U.S. Marine Corps. Lt. Vu (pictured above with his family) then spoke of how he was inspired to construct the memorial, and how his status as the son of Vietnamese refugees contributed to his decision to repay his family’s obligation to the United States by joining the military.
Following retirement of the colors, the assembly moved to Aquinas Hall for a light reception and veterans were presented with thank you notes written by children in the parish’s faith formation classes. Members of the parish prayer shawl ministry also were on hand with prayer shawls for those who desired them and other tokens of gratitude. Information about veteran’s assistance programs was also available.
— Geri King