Pinewood honors our Veterans
Lt. Col. David White, GA ANG
By: Claire Mullis, PCA freshman
Monday, November 11, 2019 PCA’s student council hosted a Veteran’s Day program to honor our local heroes. Patriotic music played and guests stood in respect for the veterans as they entered the gymnasium. Student Council president Anabelle Brannen opened the ceremony by welcoming students, faculty, and veterans followed by Jonah Rogers who opened the ceremony in prayer. Members of the student council then led attendees in the pledges and shared with them the history of Veteran’s Day. Seniors Aaron Lyons and Sydney Anne Strickland sang the National Anthem as everyone gave reverence to the flag of our great nation, and PCA’s chorus, Rhapsody, sang “American Tears”.
Sophomore Peighton White introduced the guest speaker, her father Lt. Col. David White. Lt. Col. White spoke about how veterans “represent an unwavering dedication and exemplify the highest ideal of service to our nation.” He also explained that we are still a nation at war from the time we began our response to the attacks we suffered on September 11, 2011. Lt. Col. White asserted, “The true strength of our military is the spirit and the skills of those who have worn the service uniform of our nation, who have answered the call of duty all across America.” He continued by conveying to all in attendance, “It is our responsibility to honor those who have returned home, especially our wounded warriors. We should never forget those who paid for our freedom with the ultimate sacrifice.”
All veterans in attendance were thanked individually for their service to us and to our country.
Those in attendance included:
TSgt. Terven Amerson, USA, GA ANG
Sgt. Johnny T. Anderson, USMC
LTC. Charles Blakley, USA
SFC Jerry Brueggeman, USA
SSG Dewey Brumment, USA
1 LT Jerry Burkhalter, USA
SPC Wendell Bush, USA
SGT Billy Conley, ARNG
SSgt Brian Croft, USAF
COL Matthew Croke, USA
CPT Brenden Croke, USA
CPT Kaitlyn Croke, USA
COL Emile W. Daniel, Jr., USA
CPL Julian Dasher, USA
Capt William Dekle, USMC
SFC John DeLoach, USA
TSgt Arthur Downs, ANG
SPC Jack Futch, USA
HM3 Mondie Gagliardo, USN
Maj Jim Griffith, USAF
SGT John Headrick, USA
PO2 Darby Hodges, USCG
Sgt William Hutcheson, USAF
SPC Ralph M. Kemp, ARNG
1Sgt Tommy Kennedy, GA ARNG
Cpl Wayne Kennedy, USMC
SSG Danny Kicklighter, ARNG
Sgt Thomas McBride, USAF
A1C Jim Meadows, USAF
CDR James G. Patterson, Jr., CHC, USN
A1C T.C Rogers, USAF
SSGT Leroy L. Rush, USA
SGT Howard Scarbrough, USA
PFC Buck Shuman, USA
CPL Gary E. Smith, USA
PO3 Jerry S. Smith, USN
MSgt Melanie Smith, USAF
MM3 Walter B. Smith, USN
Sgt Russel Sowell, USMC
SMSgt James Earl Swindell, USAF
LCpl Bradford Tenney, USMC
CPT Katelyn Wells, USA
Lt Col David White, GA ANG
SSG Bill Young, USA.
During the conclusion of the ceremony, Aaron Lyons played “Taps” as everyone joined in a moment of silence to remember our deceased veterans and Gabriel Edwards closed the ceremony in a word of prayer.
PCA also held activities for the students to participate in to show their respect for America’s veterans prior to the Veteran’s Day Celebration. The winners of these contests were K- 5 student Esley Ammeron in the K-3 through K-5 coloring contest, 3rd grader Taylor Brown in the 1st – 3rd grade coloring contest, 4th grader Dean Marrow in the 4th – 6th grade poster contest, and Mrs. John’s 9th grade homeroom in the upper school door-decorating contest.
L to R: Callie Trani, Gracie Hodges, Sydney Anne Strickland, Aaron Lyons, Audrey Kate Smith, and MiKaley Durrence.
