Pike County Times
The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor@pikecountytimes.com
 
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This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. The Editor can be reached at 770-468-7583 or at editor(at)PikeCountyTimes(dot)com. Pike County Times is a website for citizens to keep up with local events and stay informed about Pike County government. It began on November 13, 2006 as a watchdog on county government and has turned into an online newspaper.

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Annual Veterans Day Program Held at Pike County Middle School

The Military History Club at Pike County Middle School, under the direction of the Military History Club Sponsor Todd Child, hosted its annual Veterans Day program on Friday, November 4th. That day, 854 students showed 102 veterans and our community what patriotism and respect are all about.

Dr. Vickie Smith, Principal at Pike County Middle School, opened by saying that each student represents the promise of tomorrow but said that it is imperative to know our past in order to make the best decisions for our future. She thanked veterans for beginning the Thanksgiving season for Pike County Middle School. "...We begin our Thanksgiving season by giving thanks for your service to our country, for the sacrifices you and your families have made so that we can gather together in freedom here in our glorious United States."

 
 
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Military History Club Sponsor Todd Child introduced A Tribute to the 10th anniversary of 9/11. "We will not forget," he said. Soldiers and veterans from the Global War on Terrorism were recognized during this time. A soldier who gave all was honored.

Private Jeremy Faulkner was killed in Afghanistan on March 29, 2011 when his vehicle was hit by small arms fire. On November 10, 2011 in Griffin, Jeremy's mother, Judy Berry, will be presented with a bronze star by 22 members of the 101 Airborne Division who served with Jeremy. During Friday's ceremony, Ms. Berry was presented with a flag that was flown over the United States Capital Building on March 30, 2011, the day after Jeremy's death. "We are grateful for Private Jeremy Faulkner's sacrifice," said Mr. Child.

 

Veteran of the Year: World War II Veteran Howard Rawlins

Soldier of the Year: Staff Sergeant Stefan R. Huckaby. Accepted by his family since he is currently our country

Special Speaker: Major Bill Spies
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Vietnam Veteran Major Bill Spies was the guest speaker for this program. He served 22 years and six months veteran who has been awarded with numerous medals and awards including two bronze stars, the Legion of Merit, 2 purple hearts, and the U.S. Army Ranger tab. He has been inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame and has also served as a substitute teacher. Major Spies engaged the students when he spoke and encouraged them to read so they can learn from history. "Read anything you want but read." He taught students about the four functions of leadership: take charge, communicate, supervise and motivate and gave them a history lesson. Students were eager to talk to him at his table about Vietnam after the program was over too.

There was a slide show presentation honoring disabled veterans entitled: "War Goes On: Tribute to the Disabled Veteran" and Taps was played as well. The chorus and band did an outstanding job as did the students in showing their respect and patriotism in this program.

Veterans were honored with certificates of appreciation from Pike County Middle School. 102 veterans lined each side of the auditorium after receiving their certificates, and students stood and saluted them at the end of the program. Veterans were thanked for their service for our freedom and told that they would not be forgotten at Pike County Middle School.

 
 
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Students had the opportunity to speak with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt played by historical re-enactor G. Robert Prater who can be contacted at P.O. Box 599, Warm Springs, Georgia 31830 or 706-655-2027, 706-656-5436 or at fdr1@windstream.net. Survivor of the Battle of Lang Vei Colonel Paul Longgrear, who was last year's special speaker was there to speak with students, Scott Powell brought his collection of military items including Nazi memorabilia from the war for students to view, Ranger and special speaker Bill Spies talked to students about Vietnam, Helen Denton told students about typing up the orders for General Eisenhower for D-Day, The Fort Benning Library had a display of books for students to look at, Students were also able to see and hold current soldier gear and even send letters to the soldiers overseas. And this wasn't all!

The photos from this page and the Zenfolio website will tell the story even better than I can write it because there were so many people who took time out of their day to come down to Pike County Middle School to bring history to life for these students. From talking to students inside the building to showing off vehicles and war memorabilia outside of the building, there was enough at Pike County Middle School to keep students and the community talking about history for a long time yet to come!

 
 
 

Thank you to Todd Child and the Military History Club for putting this program together for students and the community. Thank you to everyone who participated in this event. We look forward to attending again next year on the Friday prior to Veteran's Day at Pike County Middle School.

Click here to read about past Veterans Day Programs at Pike County Middle School.

11.8.11
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