Saint Vincent's Remembers Children Lost to Violence

On Friday, April 30th under a beautiful blue morning sky, Saint Vincent’s children, youth, and staff celebrated Children's Memorial Flag Day with a flag-raising ceremony. Launched in 1998 as a nation-wide initiative, Children's Memorial Flag Day promotes peace and calls for the immediate stop to violence against children and youth in America. The symbol of the observance is the presentation and display of the Children's Memorial Flag.

The children and staff of Saint Vincent’s reflected, sang songs, and read poems of peace while the Children’s Memorial Flag depicting blue, paper-doll like figures of children holding hands was raised. Saint Vincent’s children planted flowers at the base of the flag pole as a symbol of life, and four white doves were released into the sky as a symbol of peace. Sister Rosemary Laliberte explained the meaning of the flag, paying particular attention to the white chalk figure outline of a missing child, symbolizing the thousands of children lost to violence.

For the past three years, the governors of the 50 United States of America have united in an impressive bipartisan effort by flying the Children’s Memorial Flag, issuing proclamations, or participating in ceremonies to memorialize children. The Children's Memorial Flag has become an increasingly recognizable symbol of the need to improve efforts to protect children.

For 125 years, Saint Vincent’s has provided a safe, nurturing environment for children, youth and families in Southeastern MA. Recently re-accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Services to Children and Families, Saint Vincent’s has achieved the highest standards of professional practice and continues to provide a legacy of hope for thousands of children, youth and their families. Saint Vincent’s Mission is Giving Children and Families in Need What They Need Most. For more information, please contact Melissa Dick at 508/235-3228.