Fifth graders from the Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School visited the Worcester Veterans Memorial on Tuesday. They met veterans and heard their personal stories as well as learned about the history of the flag.

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(My 18, 2023) The fifth-grade class of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School got a history lesson on Wednesday with a field trip to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines.

The trip is part of a countywide program to bring all fifth graders to the memorial to learn about the nation’s military history, meet veterans and hear their stories.

The students also had an opportunity to meet students from Stephen Decatur High School, who taught them about the flag and the meaning of the colors. The students had a chance to fold a flag. They learned that the blue stars always had to be facing down, because the stars shine down upon us. They also learned that once folded, no red should show, which symbolizes blood.

“Sacred Heart really connects to the community and those fundamental values. This is what our country is built on,” said Kathy Reed, a parent of twins in the class.

One veteran let the students handle his purple heart.

Docents shared the history of the flag and walked the students through its various versions, including the Don’t Tread on Me Flag, which was the original flag of the U.S. Navy.

showed the students pictures of the military guarding local shores.

Tim McMullen, another docent, encouraged them to take the materials home and test their parents. McMullen, a retired teacher, and his brother Don both volunteer to help out during the field trips.  Their parents served in World War II and met in Paris.

Their brother Bill, a Vietnam veteran who passed away last year, has a paver at the memorial.

“When much has been given to a family, much will be required,” McMullen said about his volunteer efforts.

Sgt. Frank Bolen shared his own stories from fighting in Vietnam.

“I quit high school with 17 days to go. Within six months, I was in Vietnam,” said Bolen.

He earned his high school diploma 10 years ago, when he was 60 years old.

He encouraged young people to go to school or they would be fighting in the jungles like he was.

The JROTC students talked with the class about the benefits of joining ROTC.

“ROTC is good for discipline, college, job applications and learning how to work with people,” Addison West, a freshman from Stephen Decatur High School said.

Dan Murphy, the fifth-grade teacher at Blessed Sacrament, said they have been learning U.S. history this year, including the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. He hopes to cover World War II before the end of the year.

“Reading about something does not sink in until you meet people, hear their stories and make a connection.”

The memorial will be hosting Flags for Heroes on May 20 and a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 29 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.