Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
“With respect, honor and gratitude, thank you Veterans, we honor those who served,” was recently written on a local program.
On Friday, November 9, approximately 200 Craig County High School students and employees gave honor to the local Veterans at their Annual Veterans Day Assembly.
Music teacher Alyssa Schulke opened with an acknowledgment to all the Veterans who were present: Billy Lee, Dennis White, Sparky Stull, Pete Cranwell and Glenn Taylor. All five gentlemen served in Vietnam.
Schulke has a tender heart for the military, as with emotional words, and shared that her brother is currently in the service. She wore her t-shirt which stated, “Proud Army sister, my brother fights for your freedom.”
After the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, Principal Melissa Whiting introduced the first speaker, Commander of the local VFW Post #4491, Billy Lee.
Lee spoke to the students of what true war was like when he served as a Marine in Vietnam, sharing many pictures and telling stories along the way. Students reacted in utmost respect.
Robert Pringle, a school teacher, Staff Sergeant and a Marine Corp Veteran of 20 years, 1981 to 2001, spoke on who a Veteran is and how to honor them. Many pictures were shown.
“I can’t tell you how tickled I am to be here for the Veterans Day celebration,” he said. “And happy to be here with my service brothers.”
Robert also shared that 100 years ago, on the 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th month, the Armistice for the first World War was signed and the hostilities came to an end. Eight years later, they called it “Veterans Day.”
Asked Robert: “What is a Veteran?” Many responded by saying “Veterans are all around us and have one thing in common, they put their hand in the air, they swear an oath of allegiance and submit their own interests and needs to serve our country for a duration of time.”
He added, “There’s something funny about us. Once they get us off the bus, run us into receiving, and we begin the process of becoming what we’re going to be, for the rest of our lives, we stand a little bit taller. A little straighter, we have a look in our eyes, we see other people in the same countenance, and we nod to each other across the room.”
Pictures of many Veterans, men and women alike who are serving or served, gave and sacrificed, including The Union Army and Confederate Soldiers, were shown.
“Everybody starts the same way with an oath,” Pringle noted. “And you have the nicest people to meet you and always eager to offer advice.” Laughter came quickly from the Veterans and students as picture after picture was shown of Sergeants yelling at the squadrons and Privates.
Pringle also shared that a current crisis in the USA is currently happening where some of the young Veterans are not adjusting to civilian life. “We are losing approximately ten Veterans a day to suicide,” he said. “These are Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. It is very sad.”
Information of the Veterans Crisis was given. “If you happen to see a Veteran who seems to have a sad countenance, go up and thank them,” he added.
Pringle also shared that it has been said to “never underestimate an old man or woman who has a DD214.”
“It’s the most important piece of paper, it’s our discharge paper from the service and marks us as an honorable discharged Veteran,” he said.
Pringle concluding by saying, “We are brothers in arms…where freedom isn’t free, so thank a Veteran.”
The Craig County High School Chorus then sang the “Tribute to the Armed Services” song which honored each military branch. As they did, the Veterans who were present stood to their motto song.
