In honor of Veteran's Day, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Holy Spirit Campus held it's Flag Pole Dedication Ceremony on Friday, November 16, 2012. The flag and flag pole were gifts to MCPS. The flag was given by Col. and Mrs. David Cool. Mrs. Michelle Cool is a
teacher at the school, and both of their children are students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. Courtney is a 10th grader and Cameryn is in 4th grade at the Holy Spirit Campus. The flag pole was given by the family of Bobby and Bonnie McClure, in honor of Mrs. McClure's father, Raymond A. Vollenweider, Sr. Mrs. McClure felt the best way to honor her father's memory was by offering this gift, because of her father's love of our country and his extreme patriotism. Mr. Vollenweider, a Korean War veteran, was honored beautifully by his family, the students of the Holy Spirit Elementary Campus and Active Duty Military Officers.
This is the first school year for the Holy Spirit Elementary Campus. Up until now, students have gathered in the morning around the foundation for a flag pole and held a flag for The Pledge. At 7:50 AM, this day began as usual, with Prayer lead by a student and followed by The Pledge of Allegiance. Only this time, students stood and peered up towards the new flag pole on the front lawn, installed on the foundation that fellow students had stood holding a much smaller flag.
The new Flag was presented and raised by Mr. Vollenweider's son-in-law, Mr. Bobby McClure and his grandson Mr. Bryan McClure, along with Lt. Col. William Walski. The Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Marching Band played the Star Spangled Banner, while Lt. Col. William Walski and Col. David Cool, saluted. Lt. Col. Walski is a Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School parent and is married to Holy Spirit Elementary librarian, Mrs. Mindy Walski . Finally, the students, faculty, staff and guests of Holy Spirit Elementary said The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, as they will for years to come.
The members of Mr. Vollenweider's family that were in attendance at the dedication included his wife, Mrs. Betty Vollenweider; daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie ('76) and Bobby McClure; grandchildren, Bryan ('98) and Melanie McClure, Brittany ('03) and Josh Bradley with their daughter, Ella; Brianna McClure ('09) and fiancee Woods Lisenby. Mrs. Bonnie McClure addressed the students and guests about honoring her fathers memory.
The dedication plaque that will be installed will say:
Dedicated in memory of
Raymond A. Vollenweider, Sr.
in honor of Veteran's Day
November 2012
