Father Judge High School hosted a Memorial Day service that honored the 27 graduates who died in the Vietnam War, while also recognizing the graduates of North Catholic – a fellow Oblates of St. Francis de Sale school that closed in 2010 – who died in the war.
The event featured the Star-Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, an honor guard salute and a reading of the presidential Memorial Day Proclamation. Brother Jim Williams offered prayer.
North Catholic graduates Bob Kensil and Jack Devine recognized the young men from their alma mater who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Williams, Dennis Kilderry and Christian Huff read the names of the Judge 27.
The crowd was invited inside to view the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial mobile wall and new banners for all 27 graduates killed in Vietnam. The banners will be placed on light poles at Ramp Playground, across the street from the school.
Larry Vitale, whose brother Michael died in the war, was the project manager for the banners. Bill Minich (class of 1981) funded the banners.
There is also a banner with the number 27, emblems of the branches of service and the words, “Our Fallen Crusaders. Lest We Forget. Vietnam.” Lawn flag-sized banners will be available at Lloyd Sixsmith Sporting Goods, 7554 Frankford Ave., sometime in July. ••
