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In a true demonstration of American patriotism, Saint Mark’s High School dedicated a POW/MIA Chair of Honor near the entrance to the school’s Alumni Courtyard on Tuesday, February 15. The Chair of Honor commemorates American service men and women who are prisoners of war or missing in action. POW/MIA Chairs are found across the United States, in sports arenas and stadiums, town halls and state capitols. The chairs are meant to represent those service members who are unable to fill them because of their sacrifices. The Chair was installed at Saint Mark’s in memory of the late Bill May, an alum from the Class of 1975. May’s classmate, Pat Cerchio, spearheaded the project. “When I suggested we make the Chair in memory of my classmate and friend, Bill May, it was not because he was a POW or MIA,” she said. “It was because in addition to serving over 23 years in the Army and Army National Guard, Bill helped many veterans and surviving spouses [through his involvement with House of Heroes].” House of Heroes is an organization that recognizes, honors and serves military and public safety veterans through home improvements. Cerchio said that among the many veterans May helped through the years, there was at least one Vietnam POW. “That gentleman said the day Bill and his House of Heroes crew came was one of the most significant in his life,” she said. “He said it ranked up there with the day he came home to the US after being a POW.” In conjunction with the Chair being installed, a POW/MIA flag has been raised at Saint Mark’s to further exemplify the school’s commitment to honor our nation’s veterans. (POW/MIA Chair continued) “The installation of the Chair of Honor was a most solemn and sacred event,” said Tom Fertal, Saint Mark’s President and Army Veteran. “It is a continuation of our efforts to ensure that our students grow to appreciate the sacrifices and the service of the men and women who defend their freedoms.” Vice President of Advancement Kristen Sullivan was overwhelmed by Spartan alumni wanting to be involved. Ken Testa from the Class of 1988 donated his time and materials to construct the base for the chair. Several members of the Class of 1975 contributed funds to purchase the Chair and helped to plan the dedication ceremony. "Our alumni supported the POW/MIA Chair of Honor project not only to remember their classmate but also to make an impact on future generations of Spartans,” she said. In fact, the Class of 1975 was so incredibly generous that their monetary donations exceeded the cost of the Chair. All additional monies will be used to fund the Corporal Stephen M. McGowan Grant. Named in honor of Stephen McGowan, a 1996 graduate of Saint Mark’s who was killed in Iraq in 2005 while serving in the Army, the Stephen M. McGowan Fund is a dedicated pool of financial aid dollars set aside to assist active duty military and veterans in making sure a Saint Mark’s education is possible for their children. Donations are still being accepted through the Advancement Office. “Every time our students pass by the Chair, they will be reminded of the sacrifice of the brave men and women from our military who are still missing," said Sullivan.