High school students volunteer as pallbearers for homeless veterans

fox6now.com ^ | october 31, 2015

[lowbridge]

Some Michigan high school students are redefining the term "extracurricular activity."

In addition to club meetings, band practices and football games, University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy teens are also signing up to serve as pallbearers for homeless veterans.

Six students recently volunteered to be pallbearers for three dead homeless veterans.

Senior Joshua Gonzales is one of the student leaders who helped develop the program.

He said this new opportunity for students is "meant to help dignify and respect the human being."

The students' initial plan was to carry the caskets for homeless individuals, said the Rev. Karl Kiser, the school president. But after working with local funeral home A.J. Desmond & Sons, the students narrowed their focus to the largest group of homeless people in need of the pallbearing service: unclaimed veterans.

More than 50 students attended the first training session at the beginning of the month, a number that surprised funeral director Kevin Desmond, who said he expected no more than 20.

[Blood of Tyrants]

God bless them.

[volunbeer]

Every so often kids give me hope.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Expect those goofballs from that ‘Baptist’ church (I won’t name them) to show up and protest.

[JRandomFreeper]

I wonder if they are teaching them to fold the flag?

/johnny

[Chode]

God bless them... but aren't there any VFW/American Legions in the area???

[Maudeen]

Hurray for the students. . .but my question is where are the churches? This country shouldn’t have “homeless” vets. I have been told some choose to live that way. . .but do they really? It is all so sad.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Sadly probably not enough.I think this is an excellent learning experience for the young kids.

[IncPen]

Students at a Catholic school in Cleveland have been doing this for the homeless since 2002.

They also go out on Sunday nights and visit with homeless in the neighborhoods surrounding the school.

[Chode]

me too! respect is in short supply these days

[gasport]

AMDG

[Ouchthatonehurt]

+1

[Sequoyah101]

Wow, I’m grateful to see this.

These youngsters and their school are far from typical though.

[wbarmy]

where are the churches? This country shouldn't have "homeless" vets.

Many churches do have shelters and meals for the homeless, but they also have rules about the activities the person seeking shelter must abide by. In almost all cases, not drinking is one of the rules, and if the homeless person chooses to continue drinking, the church cannot have them in the same facility as sober people.

Also, many of the meals are given in an environment of Christian music and sometimes devotions, which many of the people seeking a free meal do not want to suffer through. Again, their choice.

[Qiviut]

What .... no White House invite? /extreme sarcasm