NEWBURYPORT — Social studies classes are all about history lessons. But yesterday, nearly 200 seventh-graders got lessons in patriotism.
Memorial Day may be a couple of weeks away, but students with arms full of flags learned how to identify the graves of veterans and quietly paid their respects at St. Mary's Cemetery yesterday.
Veterans Affairs Director and Vietnam veteran Kevin Hunt helped organize the tribute with the help of Nock Middle School social studies teachers Lisa Furlong and Shawn Flaherty.
"This is the first time I have done the flags with the kids, and I love it, I absolutely love it," Hunt said. "It gives students a sense that people really died for a cause and were willing to give their lives for a reason."
Though Hunt, a former Navy officer, has no exact record of how many veterans are buried in each cemetery, he estimates there are 2,200 to 2,300 veterans buried in private and public cemeteries in Newburyport, dating back to the Revolutionary War.
About 85 percent of the graves have flags next to the headstones already, but yesterday those graves already adorned with flags were given new ones. Less than 30 minutes after students arrived at the cemetery, Hunt had to jump back into his car and pick up additional boxes of flags from City Hall.
Furlong and Flaherty approached Hunt weeks ago to organize the community service trip. As part of the community service project, Hunt visited the classes last week to instruct students on how to identify graves and the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
"It just seemed like a good idea," Furlong said. "The students got to learn what veteran means, flag etiquette and the meaning behind Memorial Day."
Patriotism pulsed through the cemetery as students made connections between wars fought on foreign soil and the veterans from their own city.
"This is an opportunity for students to put themselves out in the community, connect, see the names and see veterans as real people," Furlong said. "They are making a difference for Memorial Day."
Students Kristin Emerson-Gunter and Dani Preston placed numerous flags throughout St. Mary's Cemetery, returning to Hunt for more flags soon after starting.
"It's good to help out and support veterans," Kristin said. "It's easier for all of us to do it rather than one person.
"And it's fun and a good idea," Dani added.
Christian Doyle and Hunter Gouldthorpe put Hunt's lessons to work as they searched headstones for the identifying markers.
"The veteran graves have either an old flag, a plaque or a medallion standing next to the stone," Christian said. "We are helping to honor the people who without them, the country would not be the same."
Recent programs Hunt launched have included providing markers and flags to the families of veterans.
Another program was set up to allow people to donate money to the Veterans Office to help buy flags to fly from city-owned flagpoles. Both programs were met with great success. In the coming week, Hunt will work with Sheriff Frank Cousins and his team to place flags throughout the rest of the city cemeteries.
By lunchtime yesterday, red, white and blue could be seen waving among the sea of graves at St. Mary's Cemetery, and students felt a sense of accomplishment, having done a service for city residents.
"This is a good thing to do for service," Kate Flinn said. "It's a good thing to do for Memorial Day."
"I will have help from Sheriff Cousins' team to place flags in the rest of the city, but anyone who wants to help us out is welcome," Hunt said.
