In honor of service
Hundreds crowded into the Lakeside Middle School gym Thursday for the school's sixth annual Veterans Day event.
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Grovetown Mayor Dennis Trudeau recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the flag and flag pole dedication ceremony at the Grovetown Museum.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The gathering, dubbed "A Celebration of Everyday Heroes,'' was led by pupils, honored war veterans, police officers, firefighters and unseen soldiers.
It was Veterans Day, and there were plenty of sacrifices to be remembered.
"Heroes are everywhere," said Principal Felicia Dumas. "We don't know their names. We don't know their faces. But we do feel the pain when we lose one."
At Lakeside Middle, three pupils paid special homage to Columbia County sheriff's Cpl. Wesley Mack, who died July 12 after his motorcycle was struck by a car on Interstate 20 after a traffic stop.
The event also recognized veterans with patriotic music performed by the school band and chorus, a jazzy version of America the Beautiful, performed by Mike Lindsey, and statements from state Rep. Ben Harbin and guest speaker retired U.S. Army Col. Thomas M. Walker.
Walker said the success of the military would not be possible without the support of a soldier's family.
"When you move and support your mom or dad who is in the military and you change schools, it's pretty tough," said Walker, whose oldest son attended four high schools. "We need to celebrate the commitment of all those students and the price they pay for our freedom."
Members of the Harlem High School JROTC program raise a flag during the Veterans Day Observance and Flag Pole Dedication ceremony at the Grovetown Museum.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Those unsung heroes who protect that freedom were praised in a poem called Heroes, written by pupil Jocelyn Hill, who said heroes are normal men and women deserving of thanks.
Jocelyn's assistant principal, former U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Tom Riddick, agreed.
"I am honored to salute our veterans," Riddick told the packed gymnasium.
Other parts of the county also held special celebrations for veterans. Grovetown paid homage to America's war heroes at the Grovetown Museum with a flag and flagpole dedication ceremony.
"This day has been set aside to say thank you to the veterans for a job well done," said Donald D. Thornhill, a board member of the museum who addressed more than 10 retired and active-duty Armed Service men and women in his tribute speech. "It is our veterans that have built this country. Thank you."
The ceremony, which was sponsored by the museum, featured music performed by the Harlem High School Band and Terry Gibbs-Daughtry, a Grovetown gospel and country singer.
The flag and flag pole being dedicated were donated by the Woodmen of the World.
Retired Col. Thomas Walker gives the keynote address for the 6th annual Lakeside Middle School Veterans Day Celebration.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Jeff Stevens, a Woodmen of the World representative, said the purpose of the dedication was to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
While the beat of a drum resonated in the air, the Harlem High School JROTC Honor Guard raised the American flag at half staff. Hands rested over hearts and tears filled several onlookers' eyes as Gibbs-Daughtry sang the national anthem. Mayor Dennis Trudeau said the observance was memorable.
"It's nostalgic," he said, adding that Grovetown is patriotic. "It brings a tear to your eyes because you remember those that didn't come back, that gave the total sacrifice."
Mary Ann Navarro, the museum's board chairman and event organizer, said the ceremony was needed.
The Greenbrier High School color guard posts the flags during the school's Veterans Day ceremony.
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"We have so many veterans in Grovetown (including those) who are active," she said about the inaugural event. "We wanted to recognize Veterans Day. We like to make this an annual event."
Residents of Brandon Wilde retirement home also celebrated Veterans Day with a guest speaker from Fort Gordon while Greenbrier High School students were visited by Col. Jack Bryant, Fort Gordon's chief of staff.
Wesley Plueger recites a Salute to a Fallen Hero in memory of Columbia County Cpl. Wesley Mack, who was killed in an accident while on duty. Cpl. Mack's children attend Lakeside Middle School.
Photo by Jim Blaylock