Details

On the evening of Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Mendel Alumni Association in conjunction with St. Cajetan’s Parish hosted a Vietnam War Veterans Mass and Pinning Ceremony. According to all who attended, it was a tremendous success. Everyone knows how much planning and work needs to be done to make an Event like this happen, and it was very comforting to know that the Alumni Association could always count on the Planning Committee Members to do whatever needed to be done to pull off an Event like this one. Thank you to the Planning Committee that included Andy Youpel (‘66), Tom Gavin (‘67), Jim Chevalier (‘66), Marty Gainer (’70), Mike Connolly (’60), Pat Regan (’68), Kelvin Lovely (’78) Bill Kushner (’71) and Mike Dreznes (’68). You made all Mendel Men proud that evening. The packed church of over 350 people looked beautiful, and everything went off like clockwork, from the color guard, to Joe and the choir, to the readings, to the petitions to the entire pinning ceremony. Fr. Ken’s homily and Deacon Joe’s speech were very moving, and one could see how their words touched so many of the Veterans. One of the highlights of the night was the entire church erupting in applause for the altar servers whose Grandfathers had served in the US Marines! The whole church was filled pride and emotion when the choir sang “America the Beautiful!” Many of the Veterans’ eyes filled with tears and joy as they listened to Lt. Colonel Kevin Lovell , Mike Dreznes (’68) and Marty Gainer’s (’70) s speeches. Seeing how their words touched so many of the Veterans was something really special. After the Event, one woman said that her dad, who is a Vietnam Vet was totally depressed recently until he heard about this Event a few weeks ago. She said his entire disposition changed entirely as he scratched each day off the calendar leading up to March 29. The Mass and Pinning Ceremony did not disappoint him! These were typical comments that the Planning Committee received after t

Additional Classes Attending

Class of 1985

Class of 1983

Class of 1966

Class of 1978

Class of 1979

Class of 1977

Class of 1987

Class of 1964

Class of 1962

Class of 1981

and 23 more!

Location

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