Too young to remember past wars, yet eager to honor the men and women who lived them, students at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic School (sapsaints.org) in Henderson are helping give local veterans the welcome-home moments they never had. Through letters, handmade signs, fundraisers, and spirited greetings at Harry Reid International Airport, the school’s student council has embraced Honor Flight as a chance to connect generations through gratitude.
The partnership began three years ago with a simple request: Would students be willing to write welcome-home letters for veterans on an upcoming flight? Student council moderator and teacher Lisa Bullen recalls saying yes immediately. “We accepted and made cards with heartfelt messages and prayers. Nancy Gregory, an Honor Flight (honorflight.org) operations team member, invited us to attend the welcome home at the airport,” she explained. “We had a small group, but it was such a meaningful experience that touched all of us.”
That first gesture sparked lasting involvement. Lisa, herself a veteran’s daughter, soon volunteered the student council to make welcome signs for future flights. At the next event, the crowd was bigger, the cheers were louder, and student enthusiasm unmistakable. “Interest started picking up among our students and families. Now we have students asking for the Honor Flight dates, and families are eagerly participating,” Lisa said.
Today, between 25 and 30 students and more than a dozen parents attend the welcomes at Harry Reid International Airport. Each veteran—many from the Vietnam and Korean wars—is greeted individually, presented with personalized signs, and enveloped in long-overdue celebration. For some, the outpouring is profoundly moving.
Lisa vividly remembers when two Vietnam veterans returned last year and later visited the school. “They told us how meaningful it was to finally feel appreciated. As Vietnam vets, they had never really experienced a true welcome home. When they shared those stories, our students were captivated,” she said. For many, hearing ‘welcome home’—rather than only ‘thank you’—has been the most healing gift.
The project has grown steadily. What started as letter writing is now part of the school year’s rhythm. Before making posters or attending ceremonies, students are taught by Lisa about the history and significance of military service. In the process, children born decades after past wars are developing a lived sense of gratitude and service.
This year, the student council expanded its role through fundraising. A “FREEdom Dress” event on September 11 raised more than $2,000—enough to sponsor at least one veteran’s flight, possibly two, since each journey costs about $1,200. “This is our first year sponsoring a veteran,” Lisa shared. “We’re planning another fundraiser in November and hope to send more on the upcoming April Honor Flight.”
The sense of connection extends beyond the airport. In addition to supporting October’s welcome-home event, the school plans to host a “Pancakes with Patriots” breakfast, giving veterans an opportunity to share their experiences directly with students. Lisa calls these moments a blessing. “They have become family members to us all,” she reflected. “The veterans’ stories remind our students that honoring service is not about age—it’s about gratitude that transcends generations.”
As Veterans and Military Families Month is commemorated this November, St. Anthony of Padua’s students remind Henderson that honoring service isn’t only the duty of government or soldiers themselves. It’s a community calling—one carried forward by the youngest voices, whose letters and cheers have become treasured keepsakes, ensuring veterans finally receive the welcomes they deserve.
"The veterans’ stories remind our students that honoring service is not about age—it’s about gratitude that transcends generations."
"Lisa vividly remembers when two Vietnam veterans returned last year and later visited the school. ‘They told us how meaningful it was to finally feel appreciated.'"