Schools across Garvin County held Veterans Day celebrations Friday to honor and thank those who have served our country through military service.
Paoli students marked the occasion with a program led by the elementary school classes.
Veterans were treated with a “Wall of Honor” featuring names and photos of local military veterans and students and family members were encouraged to take photos with their veterans.
During the program, Scout Troop 73 presented the flags, Scout Jakob Nirschl played “Taps,” Dea Newsom sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and elementary school students presented songs, poems and artwork expressing their appreciation for veterans.
Students and guests also heard brief remarks from guest speaker Michael Campbell, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the first Gulf War.
“I think I can speak for all veterans in saying when we signed up we did it to protect something we value,” Campbell said. “Over the years I’ve met a lot of older veterans and nothing has changed from when they joined to when I joined. We all joined for the same reason.”
Campbell comes from a family of combat veterans. His grandfather fought in World War II, his father fought in Viet Nam, two uncles fought in the Korean War, and he now has a son serving overseas.
“All this, up here honoring us, the things you took your time to do—all the songs and the poems—it’s more than just a program to us. It means a lot. Thank you,” Campbell said.
He told students when they meet veterans in the community, they should feel free to ask questions, but they should also be sure to thank them for serving the country and their communities.
“We love this country. We love this flag, and it’s not a burden to do what we’ve been asked to do,” Campbell said. “We will continue to be there to keep us safe and to keep others safe because it’s what we do.”
A handprint flag created by Paoli students and staff as a sign of support and gratitude was presented to senior airman Dillon Carter, who is currently deployed to Qatar. Carter is a former student of Paoli schools. Carter’s pastor, Daimon Hillhouse, accepted the flag on behalf of Carter and his family.
The flag, along with handmade cards for other soldiers serving with Carter, will be sent to Qatar.
