The memorial ceremony has been held every year for 50 years at 8 AM on Memorial Day.
Each year as May ends and Americans begin the season of graduations, vacations and summer fun, our nation pauses to remember the fallen and honor their sacrifice on Memorial Day.
Throughout the country, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales will join their parishes, schools, and local communities to pray and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.
In Philadelphia, the local Oblates will join the Father Judge High School community in an outdoor memorial service to honor and remember the “27.” This tribute has been part of the school culture for over 50 years. Father Judge holds an unenviable distinction: this Oblate school lost more graduates than any other Catholic or private school in America during the Vietnam War.
Memorial to the 27 at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia
At the entrance of the school, a large monument bears the names of the 27 Judge alumni who gave their lives. Surrounding their names is a carving of the Virgin Mary holding the body of her Son after the crucifixion. This is a silent reminder of the life, dedication, and sacrifice of these young men and their families’ modeling Mary’s grace and strength through life’s greatest loss. This memorial was erected and dedicated in September, 1971. Every year since, Oblates have gathered and prayed with family, friends, and classmates on Memorial Day morning. Even last year, in the midst of the pandemic, the tradition continued as Fr. Joseph Campellone, OSFS, and a handful of veterans paid their respects as the ceremony was streamed to alumni all over the country.
Three years ago, a feature length documentary was produced called "Remembering the 27 Crusaders." The film recounts the lives, military service and deaths of the 27 soldiers who went to Vietnam with a sense of duty, honor, and patriotism.
Family members, classmates and Oblates are interviewed to tell the story of the young men who died, the parishes they grew up in, and the Christian and Salesian values they took with them to the other side of the world.
Remembering and honoring the dead is part of our Catholic tradition and remembering the “27” is part of the fabric of Father Judge High School. The names of the 27 Crusaders are inscribed on the memorial and read aloud each Memorial Day. More importantly, their names are inscribed on the hearts of all alumni and members of the Judge community.
The Lord reminds us that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend (John 15:13). May all those who lost their lives in service to our country – our family and friends – be remembered this weekend. May they forever rest in peace. Amen.
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If you would like to join us, the memorial begins at 8:00am in front of Father Judge High School (3301 Solly Avenue, Philadelphia, PA). If you can’t join us in person, please join us in prayer for the families of the men who gave their last full measure.
The now closed Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia lost 64 graduates in Vietnam. Please pray for these men and their families on this special day.
