Mona Shores School Visit – 2013
On June 15, 2013, on a beautiful afternoon in Washington DC, 111 students and chaparones from Mona Shores Middle School in Michigan met at Arlington Cemetery. This was the sixth consecutive year that Eric Wahlberg and the Mona Shores staff conducted the visit. Unlike other years, the students visited Eric’s graveside first before participating in the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We also were privileged to have Eric’s grandfather attend as he was visiting from out of town. Good timing Fred!
Similar to their meetings the last five years, Eric Wahlberg, a teacher at Mona Shores, arranged for the get together. Everyone gathered under the big tree in the shade to meet each other and listen to Eric’s dad speak about Eric to the students before moving on to visit Eric’s grave site. Like previous years, Eric’s dad shared about Eric growing up and how he became such a selfless young man. He also shared about his work with the Michael Reagan portrait foundation (www.fallenheroesproject.org). The students again surprised and humbled our family by presenting a check to the foundation from money they had raised. So very kind and generous! As was the case the previous years, the afternoon was a very profound and emotional experience.
Most of the time was spent talking about Eric, the type of person he was and kind of impact he was having even though his time with us is over. The letters the Mona Shore students had written to Eric were very touching and heartwarming. Two students read their letters out loud. They were beautifully written.
Included below is a very small sample of the students letters as well as some of the pictures. One of the pictures we show below – it’s really thoughtfully and wonderfully done.
To the Mona Shores students, chaparones and to Eric Wahlberg, on behalf of our son Eric and his family, we want to say thank you for honoring him in this way. You have given us a precious gift by learning about Eric and his life. You are a blessing to us and we are proud to call you our friends.
Student Letters to Eric
Mona Shores student Ashley Thompson
Mona Shores student Ashlyn Cross
Mona Shores student Caden Anderson
Mona Shores student Casey Walukonis
Mona Shores student Grant Strieder
Mona Shores student Heather Hugo
Mona Shores student Marissa Pletcher
Mona Shores student Riley Church
Mona Shores student Trisha Bennett
One Comment
Ethan Boersema
May 18th, 2016
My name is Ethan Boersema and I am in wahlberg’s class and I am looking forward to seeing Eric and learn how incredibly heroic he was.