A high school near Detriot launched a program that would not only teach the students a valuable life lesson but to also give back to their community and society as a whole.
University of Detroit Jesuit High recently started a new service project — they were going to serve as pallbearers at the funerals for the homeless.
“We’re being there for somebody, their last moments on earth before they pass on to the next world,” says Lenny Froehlich, a student pallbearer.
Their first outing was at the Great Lakes National Cemetery; they were going to be giving three war veterans, who died homeless, the funeral and send off that they deserved. The three men served in the Army, Air Force, and Marines.
The students aim to give these homeless veterans a chance to die and be put to rest with dignity.
“I think this, right here, was a great example of, having people who have died in the military that don’t really have anybody left and to have all that support there for them so that they will die with dignity,” another student pallbearer, Noah Tyluki, explained.
The high school students at the all-boys Catholic school plan on helping with as many of these types of services as possible throughout their school year. More than 50 students at University of Detroit Jesuit High have signed up to help with the program.
“We kind of represent the family that is not here to be with them. And that is, I think, a privilege,” Froehlich said after the first of the funerals.
“I think for the young men here at U of D, it teaches them the value and dignity of life at all levels,” Todd Wilson, the school’s director of service, told Detroit News.
“To be able to recognize that need, to offer this respect, is really a testament to these gentlemen and also just the community and spirit here at U of D Jesuit,” Kevin Desmond, the funeral director at A.J. Desmond & Sons.
This U of D wasn’t the first school to come up with this fantastic program; it was inspired by the same actions at another Jesuit high school in Cleveland, Ohio. Providing the homeless veterans who have passed with the integrity and respect that they deserve.
The kind and compassionate service that these boys are providing is truly something to be admired.
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