Sergeant First Class Aaron Downs, who just returned from deployment, stands with his daughter, Autumn, and his wife, Meagan, who was instrumental in establishing St. Thomas’ Purple Star School status.
Photo: St. Thomas School
By Carolyn Cadigan
April is the month of the military child. To celebrate, St. Thomas School’s military families gathered on Monday, April 13, for a special breakfast, followed by a Mass and ceremony at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish. This year’s gathering was especially meaningful, with two St. Thomas parents just returning from deployment and one parent currently deployed.
During Mass, the school honored each service member, who, in turn, honored their child with a certificate and medal:
Sergeant First Class Aaron Downs, who honored his daughter Autumn; Technical Sergeant Mark Fowler, who honored his daughter Isabella; Corporal Michael Morley, who honored his daughter Jordan; Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Stephen Allain, who honored his sons Paul and Alderic; Staff Sergeant Steven Kent, who honored his sons Steven, Jr. and Sullivan; Izzy LaRue (on behalf of her husband Master Sergeant Derek LaRue), who honored their son Brooklyn; Corporal Jason Oliver, who honored his son Jericho; and Lieutenant Colonel Kyle Hazekamp, who honored his daughter Monroe.
Last September, St. Thomas School announced that it had met legislation requirements to become a Purple Star School, the first in the state of Maine. Today, it remains the only Purple Star School in the state, supporting service members and military-connected children/families through their deployment and ongoing service to the country.
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