Mona Shores School Visit – 2025

We were very fortunate this year again. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon on June 14, 2025 in Washington DC. It was 84 degrees with a nice breeze. There were about 130 students and seven chaperones from Mona Shores Middle School in Michigan visiting this year. With the exception of 2020 and 2021 (missed due to Covid), the kids from Mona Shores have stopped at Eric's gravesite as part of their annual DC trip each year since 2007. Alex Parr, a teacher at Mona Shores, again made most of the coordination for the get together. Its so encouraging to see so many students make the visit each year. My wife could not make it this year because our dog, Holly, was sick.


I enjoyed talking with the kids and walking down to Eric's gravesite from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with them. Like previous years, I shared what I could about Eric growing up and how he became such a selfless young man but also he was more ordinary than most of the students might have thought. I wanted them to know that they didn't have to be a superstar to make a difference in this world. I shared some of the other ways different groups of people remembered and honored Eric and other Fallen Heroes and how I became involved with the two non-profits that helped me channel my grief in a positive way.

Again the school presented the Michael G. Reagan portrait foundation with a nice donation. Thank you Mona Shores. This year was a little special because something happened that has never happened before. One of the students asked if she could pray over Eric's gravesite. I was very humbled by this gesture and she was kind enough to allow me to pray with her. I will always remember that.

To the Mona Shores students, chaperones and to Alex Parr, 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. To the students, thank you for honoring Eric the way you have. By learning about him, you have kept him alive for us. This is a precious gift. We look forward to seeing the Mona Shores students and chaperones again next year!.

Mona Shores student Carly Beach
Mona Shores student Cassidy Kuzinski
Mona Shores student Daria Mirinova
Mona Shores student Darin Mutai
Mona Shores student Ella Walsh pg1
Mona Shores student Ella Walsh pg2
Mona Shores student Emilie Greene pg1
Mona Shores student Emilie Greene pg2
Mona Shores student Isabella Monroy pg1
Mona Shores student Isabella Monroy pg2
Mona Shores student Lucie Nimtz
Mona Shores student PLH
Mona Shores student Reese Beckstrom
Mona Shores student Ty Neal