After an absence of several years because of the pandemic, Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary School (SSBVM) welcomed local veterans to enjoy breakfast as part of the celebration of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

All local veterans were invited to attend the morning activity. To reach as many participants as possible, announcements about the event were made at the school and in the church bulletin at SSBVM Catholic Church.

"Any student that had a visiting veteran was able to join them for breakfast," said SSBVM music teacher and Student Council adviser Josh Koch, who organized the event. "The breakfast was simple: pancakes, sausage, coffee and orange juice."

Members of the Knights of Columbus Council 3501 provided kitchen help, preparing and serving the pancakes and sausage. Some food was donated, and some was purchased.

Students also participated; members of the eighth-grade class served coffee and orange juice to the veterans. "They went around to refill beverages and ask if anyone wanted seconds, (and) they cleaned up after the event and enjoyed leftovers," said Koch.

The school's stairwell and cafeteria were decorated for the occasion in red, white and blue with thank you posters, "Welcome, Veterans" signs and patriotic coloring pages, which were colored by the younger students. "Pictures of family members who served and who are currently serving were also displayed in the hallway (leading) toward the cafeteria," Koch noted.

An "America's White Table" was also on display at the event. "Our librarian, Mrs. (Kathy) Campbell, found out about 'America's White Table.' She read the story to her classes," said Koch, noting that the book was written by Margot Theis Raven.

According to the book, ever since the Vietnam War, a table with a white table cloth has been set across America in mess halls and at military events to honor America's Armed Forces, especially those members missing in action and held as prisoners of war. Each item on the table has a special meaning. For example, a lemon slice and grains of salt are placed on a plate to show a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return. An empty chair is placed at the table to symbolize missing military personnel.

Koch said that the Veterans Day breakfast was well-attended, noting that there were 50 guests, 30 of whom were veterans. "We needed more tables than we expected, which was awesome to see," he said.

SSBVM, 360 E. Water St., Middletown, is a parochial elementary school serving students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Visit http://www.sevensorrowsschool.com or email mkennedy@ssbvm.org to learn more. To schedule a tour, call 717-944-5371.