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| Students honor veterans |
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| Written by Danetta Barker | |
| Wednesday, 12 November 2008 | |
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By Danetta Barker Editor In this tiny town filled with fields of tobacco, grazing cattle and chugging tractors sheltered beneath the Stars and Stripes of an undivided nation, one common thread unites the farmer, the banker, the teacher, the entrepreneur – that of patriotism. This town that serves as the backdrop for one Marine in the most famous war photo in history stands still on Veterans’ Day to honor the hundreds of men and women who have served their country through war and peace. The photo, that of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, projects the image of a young Fleming Countian Franklin R. Sousley and although the world knows the story of the men who raised that flag, few know the story of the community that raised Sousley. Only a community of honor, courage, valor and faith can produce so many men and women who leave the rolling farm land to fight in snow filled trenches, balmy seas, blistering deserts and rice paddies. Every year the same community takes the time to pay homage to those who serve, the ones who reject the title of hero. Every year Fleming County High School students, many on the verge of life altering decisions, produce a program aimed at honoring those who made this a free nation and brings tears to the eyes of old soldiers. Karlyn Vice’s FCCLA class tried something different this year with a video of conversations with veterans. Pet McNeill, Adrian Doyle, Gerald Griffins and Robert Gossett were a few of the faces that graced the huge screens in the gym Tuesday morning as they told in their words the definition of flag, courage and duty. “The flag is a symbol of everything we do,” said retired Army Colonel Gerald Griffith. McNeill said the flag is a symbol of our nation. Courage is doing what needs to be done, Griffiths said. Physical courage allows a person to take advantage of the situation while mental courage gives a person the ability to stand up for their rights. After the video, students from FFA demonstrated how to fold an American Flag properly. Each fold pays tribute to a different entity. The first fold is in honor of life, while the eighth fold is in honor of the one who has entered into the valley of death. Folds nine and 10 honor the mother and the father while the last two folds, 11 and 12, pay tribute to the Jewish religion and the Christianity. The flags, which flew over camps in Iraq and Afghanistan, used in the demonstration were provided by Army National Guard Sgt. Jared DeAtley and Army National Guard Capt. Bobby Pease. Shannon Barker and Ally DeHart told of the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance, defining each word. The most stirring presentation was Dylan Bjorkland who sang “Amazing Grace” while the history of the song played across the screens. According to an introduction of the song, “Amazing Grace” is the most thought of and sung words of the all the troops from the Civil War to the war in Iraq. Bjorkland was rewarded for his stirring rendition of the ancient hymn with a standing ovation. After the ceremonies students left their seat to shake hands and exchange words with many of the veterans who attended the program. |
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