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, 3^rd grader Taylor Brown in the 1^st – 3^rd grade coloring contest, 4^th grader Dean Marrow in the 4^th – 6^th grade poster contest, and Mrs. John’s 9^th 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.