High school students honour veterans left without loved ones

High school students in Michigan made sure that when three homeless veterans were laid to rest last week it was done with honour and dignity.

Six students from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy served as the pallbearers in the funeral service for three veterans, who had no family members present at their death, according to the school’s press release.

“I was glad and truly honoured to have experienced and served those veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country,” one of the students, Joshua Gonzalez, told ABC 13.

“Being their pallbearer was just a little something that I could do to repay them for what they did for all of us.”

Before departing for the funeral, the students prayed for the deceased. During the funeral procession, they carried the casket to the grave and shared in the prayers.

The idea for the outreach program came from students themselves during a discussion about ways they could better serve the community.

The student-led program was then launched as part of the school’s service team.

Student leaders provided training sessions for participants to prepare them emotionally for the task, Huffington Post reports.

Initially, leaders were thinking 20 participants may show for the training. To their surprise, about 50 ended up participating.

“The pallbearer program at U of D Jesuit says a lot about the school and the young men who attend there,” said Terry Desmond, the director of the funeral home that held the service, in the press release.

“Their service to the less fortunate honours the dignity of individuals who are mostly out-of-the-view of our society.”

While the first out-reach program served veterans, students hope it will expand to include more people in need, Huffington Post reports.