Notre Dame Catholic School was proud to host its 2nd annual Field of Honor® ceremony on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 9 am. It was attended by over 200 people, not including the student body. The Field of Honor® flag event payed tribute to our veterans and service men and women with a moving display of American flags.

The amazing, patriotic display consisted of over a hundred American flags, each in honor or memory of an individual. Each year, Notre Dame is pleased to have members of the Hernando county community present with our school families. Mrs. Florence Buono, school principal, shared the following during her opening remarks at the ceremony. “This event, paying tribute to our veterans and honoring our country through the representation of our American flag… the Flag of our great country…. this United States of America…. Once again comes at an important time in history… At a time when there is still much controversy in our country over our flag, we feel it is important for our children to know that this should not be a political issue…. it is an American issue! It’s an issue of patriotism! It is all about what it means to have pride in your country and the people who serve it. As President Kennedy once famously said… “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!”

Notre Dame Catholic School vows to teach our students… using a strong, rigorous, academic curriculum within a Christ centered environment. Moreover, we teach our children what it means to be a valued citizen of this great country, the United States of America. We believe in teaching our children what it means to have good citizenship. We believe in our country, and the freedoms our ancestors fought to secure for us. These flags…. on our front yard today…. remind us of the flag that flew over Fort McHenry over 200 years ago.” 

The students in grades 3rd-8th participated in an essay contest, while the younger grades had a flag drawing and coloring contest. The winners from all contests were announced at the morning ceremony.

Notre Dame’s 8th grade winner, Olivia Shields, started her essay speech with the following words, “BOOM! The bullet roaring through the air hitting the back of the soldier; the instant shock of pain trickling down his back. Throughout time people have been fighting for something greater than themselves. What does the American Flag mane to me? The flag symbolized the lives people have given to fight for our country and the ones who are still fighting for our country today.” What Olivia went on to share in her essay was the purpose of our ceremony; remembering and honoring all veterans and service men and women of our great United States of America.

The ceremony also consisted of a Memorial Salute, a Flag Folding presentation, and many other moving tributes.

The Hernando County community is invited to save the date for next year’s Field of Honor® ceremony, which will be Friday, November 8, 2019.