Military History comes to life for students at Pike County Middle School every Veterans Day. The Pike County Middle School History Club, under the direction of its sponsor, Todd Child, works to bring together a special program where students can honor veterans for their service as well as getting to view military items from many wars and talk to those who have been a part of war and lived to tell about it.

This program gets bigger and better every year. It is a moving sight to witness the students and their interaction with these veterans. From the student salute to the applause at winning awards to asking for autographs from veterans after the program is complete, these students have class that makes their teachers and faculty proud and they touch their community through its veterans every year.

The fifth annual Veterans Day Program was held on Friday, November 6, 2009. It was attended by Middle School students and faculty, invited guests, and veterans and their families from our community.

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The colors were presented by the 110th CSSB Army National Guard. The Pike County Middle School Band and Chorus played their part in the program by playing and singing patriotic songs. The playing of Taps toward the end of the program was a touching part of the proceedings.

Every veteran was honored with a certificate of appreciation for their service. The coolest part of this ceremony was when the veterans were asked to turn and face the students and the students saluted the veterans in honor of their service.

The students were reverent and respectful throughout the program. I am sure that the staff at the Middle School was very proud of their students!

Soldier of the Year went to Sgt. Jessica Treadwell who is in the Marine Corps. Her family accepted on the Soldier of the Year award on her behalf. Sgt. Treadwell has served two tours of duty. She served one tour of duty in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan in her Marine Expedition Unit. Jessica is a graduate of Pike County High School.

Veteran of the Year went to Technical Sgt. Alvin L. Milby (retired). Al's wife, Hazel, said that her husband has done a lot in his lifetime and that he was suprised when he heard that he had won the honor of Veteran of the Year. Al was stationed in Antwerpt, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. According to the essay written by Hazel, Al was the Sergeant in Charge of keeping the radios repaired in the armored equipment that came through the port at Antwerpt. On June 21, 1945, Al received a commendation from the Signal Officer at the Port of Antwerpt that commended Technical Sgt. Alvin L. Milby and the nine members of his team for their tireless efforts to maintain and repair defective signal equipment at that installation.

Barry Michael honored veterans by singing his song, “Heroes and Angels”. This is a single that Barry wrote and dedicated to veterans who have served this country. Barry has entertained veterans and troops around the world with this song.

The video of “Heroes and Angels” can be viewed on YouTube by clicking here. It is a touching tribute to our veterans made by a fan of Barry Michael.

Fans can watch Barry perform his single “Uncountrify Me” at www.barrymichaelmusic.com. Barry Michael’s CD "Ripped Blue Jeans & ATV's" can be ordered on his website as well as copies of his single “Heroes and Angels”.

For booking information, contact Richard Chatham of Stockbridge Records at 770-474-0334. Barry Michael has a MySpace and Facebook page.

History came to life through exhibits from past and present wars. There were veterans present who talked to students about their real life experiences during the wars that they were a part of. Ranger Vincent Melillo spoke to students about World War II and Korea as well as his experience as a member of the real-life Merrills Marauders. Bob Dodson spoke to students about the Vietnam War. He survived Ia Drang Valley LZ X-Ray. "We Were Soldiers" tells this story.