The Black and White

by Aubrey Butler Photos by Kaitlyn Limoges

Once a year, the Pilgrim High School community gathers together to celebrate one of their most meaningful traditions, the 9th annual ¨Patriots Honoring Patriots¨ ceremony. This event recognizes and celebrates our community’s veterans who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces. The ceremony was held in the school auditorium, the seats full of attentive juniors, seniors, faculty, veterans, and their families, who were brought together to display our continuous gratitude to those who served. In addition, the Pilgrim High School Band and Chorus were present, delivering very special performances. This wonderful tradition was founded in 2015 by former principal and coordinator, Pamela Benardi. She has continued to organize it since. “I started the event in 2015 when I was the building principal,” Benardi said. “I felt we, as Pilgrim Patriots, needed to show we are bigger than ourselves. As our school motto goes, ‘Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot.’ It is the greatest thing we can do as Pilgrim Patriots, honor true Patriots.”

With the ceremony approaching its 9th year, it has become a significant part of Pilgrim’s culture. Bernardi explains that it grows more emotional each year, as new stories of service and sacrifices are shared. ¨I wanted the school community to take the opportunity to honor all those who have served our country in the armed forces, both in times of war and peace, past and present,¨ she says. ¨It’s important to recognize that freedom comes at a price.¨

Each honored veteran was given a handcrafted wooden plaque made by senior Declan Bragg as part of his senior project. Bragg was assisted by his classmates Aaron Bouthillier and Mathew Kenny, with assistance from their teacher, Mr. Walter Guest. Making these plaques involved over 10 steps and a wide range of tools to produce the finished product. The students’ work became an honorable symbol of Pilgrim’s gratitude toward each honored veteran present in the ceremony. 

This year, the ceremony started with a very emotional surprise. Army Private First Class Makayla Lyndes, currently serving in the 82nd Combat Aviation Medvac Unit, had unexpectedly arrived as the first guest speaker. In just a few short months of service, Lyndes has earned the Sexual Harassment Assault Response & Prevention Excellence Award and has been given the role of Platoon Leader. Her appearance was most significantly meaningful to Pilgrim senior Zoe Anderson, who had not seen her cousin in over a year. Lyndes flew in from North Carolina to surprise Zoe, who was joined by her parents, younger brother, and aunt. Lyndes’ aunt, Stacey DeLuca, was originally scheduled to speak, but unfortunately, her deployment in Germany had prevented her from attending. Despite this, the surprise reunion between the two cousins was very heartwarming and moving to many in the audience.

Among many of the veterans was John Evans, a U.S. Army Veteran who served six years, two active and four inactive. He described this event as deeply meaningful. ¨This ceremony is very heartwarming,¨ Evans said. ¨For all the years that we never got recognized, now we finally have some younger generations recognizing us.¨ Evans’ words made a significant impact on the event’s purpose, connecting generations young and old through shared knowledge, appreciation, and respect. 

As the ceremony came to its end, the spirit of the motto of Pilgrim High School filled the room, “Once a Patriot Always a Patriot.” “It’s the greatest thing we can do as Pilgrim Patriots to honor true Patriots,” Benardi said, reflecting on her job of organizing the event for almost a decade.With each passing year, the “Patriots Honoring Patriots” ceremony continues to remember its veterans and educate the Pilgrim High School community on the costs of freedom and the importance of remembrance.