Veterans Day 2010

Veterans Day Movie

Armed Forces on Parade (movie, 11MB)

Amazing Grace

The theme of our Seventeenth Annual Veterans Day Program is:

I Remember. Will You?
Never Forget

Guests began arriving about 8:30 for the 9AM program. This is the seventeenth year that Northwest has honored veterans of all wars. Today, veterans from WWII through Afghanistan were present. Mr. Givins greeted our special guests, and members of the Greenville Sr. High ROTC Color Guard presented the colors.

Arden Gillchrest, the President of Beta Club, led in the Pledge of Allegiance, and our Honor Band played the National Anthem. Our speaker this year, Colonel James Richard Lay, U.S. Army Retired, Infantry, is a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Colonel Lay entered service in 1949 and fought in Korea in 1950-51. He was an infantry platoon leader of a 4.2" mortar platoon in the 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. He fought in the Vietnam War from 1966-67 as a lieutenant colonel. He was a battalion commander of the 1st Battalion in the 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Division. His unit with the 4th Infantry Division was stationed out of Ft. Lewis, Washington, and was known as the Red Warriors. November 11, 2010 marks 60 years to the day that he landed in Wonson, Korea. Sixteen years later, almost to the day, he fought in a major battle in Vietnam.

His decorations include the Combat Infantry Medal with 2nd device, the Distinguished Service Medal (the highest peacetime, non-combat medal), the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with "V" Device, the Air Medal and the Valorous Unit Citation (the highest award given to a unit) from Vietnam. Colonel Lay recounted his service, his love for his country, and shared stories of three of his heroes.

Eighth graders performed a White Table Ceremony explaining the symbolism of different items at the empty table. The band played Armed Forces on Parade as veterans stood for the music of their service. Bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" for the fallen.

Our guests were treated to a reception where they fellowshipped with other veterans and shared their stories with students.

Veterans Day 2010

We learned that people die everyday in the honor of our country. We learned that we should honor and give thanks to our veterans as they are overseas fighting for us, while we are relaxed and free at home. We also need to honor them more because they fought for us and some of them got injured or killed. The people that are and were in the war are very brave and very proud to be an American. Veterans have fought and they continue to fight for our freedom in the United States of America.

Colonel James Richard Lay said that "Heroes are people that died for our freedom." That was his definition of a hero but our definition of a hero is anybody who has served our country.

Our message is this: Do not take veterans for granted. We need to love veterans like we love our family because they give us the right to be with our family.

Samcie Joe Philpot

Austin Cantrell

Jessica Capps

Miranda Sizemore

 

Student Reflections

"One of the things that should change about Veterans Day is you should let the kids meet the veterans while they're reading peoples projects in the hallway. That way veterans feel more welcomed."

Chris M.

"I learned veterans can be people that never went into war, they just served. The program in my view was a huge success, and very touching. It has made me really consider going into the military. My favorite part was presentation of the colors because it shows the true intensity of the military and training."

Brayden Svec

"This Veterans Day experience affected me in a very proud way. It made me feel more proud of my Godfather. I never realized how much he has done for our country, and the sacrifices he made, until we had the program. My favorite part was when they were calling all the branches, and my Godfather stood up. It almost made cry. My message is to be respectful because it is a life changing experience."

Denise Green

"My message for the 6th and 7th graders is that Veterans Day is a great day because the veterans are still strong as a rock even after all of the suffering during the wars. My 8th grade Veterans Program is one day I shall never forget even in my old age."

Justin Fagan

"I really do think Veterans Day changed me. I got to meet a veteran. He was a Marine. I was really nervous at first to talk to him, but it was actually really fun. After Col Lay made his speech, I really was taking into consideration that not every soldier makes it out alive. It made me think that maybe I'll be a nurse for the Army--anything to help people keep their life.

My favorite part was decorating and gathering Blue Star Mother items. Joanna, Lexi, and I got to collect drinks and the Blue Star Mother items. Veterans Day is probably the most fun project we will ever do, but it is the most important one as well."

Jessica Edwards

"The program was very moving to see all the veterans who came to the ceremony. My favorite part of the program was when the bagpipe was played and then faded out because it symbolized all the veterans who had died while fighting. My message for the 6th and 7th graders about Veteran's Day is to always appreciate what the veterans did for you and to appreciate all the people who are fighting to preserve our freedom now."

Morgan Lezan

"When I started this project, I thought that veterans were just like me. Then I learned that they aren't. They put their lives on the line when they are at war and sometimes they do not get the respect and thanks they deserve. This whole program has inspired me to be the best that I can be in return form my freedom that I have here. I want them to know that they are not wasting their time and lives to keep me free. My favorite part of the program, the part that came closest to my heart, was the guest speaker's story of the P.O.W. To the upcoming 8th graders, my advice is to listen to what veterans have to say and do not look at this as just another project."

Michael Settles

"I learned a lot about my grandpa when I interviewed him. My grandfather was a part of the service for twenty-seven years, so he was a straight forward and strict man. In my whole life I have witnessed my grandpa cry only two times. He cried while we talked on our way home on Veterans Day.

The experience I had yesterday was very inspiring and heart touching. My favorite part of the program was when the NWMS band played Armed Forces on Parade and all the veterans of the different branches stood up to be honored. My message to the 6th and 7th graders is to dress to impress that day. They should learn how to shake hands and greet every veteran they see and thank them. This year had a great turn out and the rising 8th graders should look forward to it."

Savannah Klein

"My favorite part of the program was the White Table Ceremony because it was a very serious, quiet and emotional time. Veterans Day affected me by making me think about all the men and women who are fighting for our country. They are giving up their time, family and jobs to fight for us."

Jasmine McMorris