Celebrating our Veterans

Pike County Times.com

Because of You, Unknown Soldier

Because of you, I am here
Because of you, I am able to live freely

Yet I do not know you
And I have not done anything for you

But there you stand, ready to fight
And there you are prepared to die
For me

You've fought before
And you'll fight again
For someone you don't know

So thank you Unknown Soldier
Fighting for me

I'm here because of you
And I owe my future to you

- Courtney Tanabe

History Comes to Life for Students at Pike County Middle School

Military History comes to life for students at Pike County Middle School every year around Veterans Day. The Pike County Middle School History Club, under the direction of its sponsor, Todd Child, shows honor to veterans on the Friday before Veterans Day. It is time when the students can give back to their community and honor those who have served our country.

The veterans who attend have an opportunity to interact with the students so the students can learn exactly what it means to have served. And the tributes to these veterans and their families and a salute from the students to the veterans is a moving experience that every veteran needs to experience at least once in their lifetime.


		The Annual Veterans Day Program was held at Pike County Middle School on Friday, November 5, 2010. The respect shown to veterans was truly moving. Thank you to the Todd Child and the Military History Club as well as to the students who said thank you to our veterans for our freedom. There were 107 veterans present at this ceremony. Mark your calendar for the Friday before Veterans Day for next year's Veterans Day Program.


	"A nation that forgets its heroes will itself soon be forgotten." -Calvin Coolidge


	Special Speaker: Colonel Paul Longgrear (ret.) U.S. Army	Veteran of the Year: World War II Veteran Gerald Spinks.	Soldier of the Year: Cpl. Jeremiah Manley. Award accepted by his family because Jeremiah is currently serving his country.

Students learned about the Battle Buddy System in the Tribute to the Battle Buddy. "I will be your shield ... I will be here ... I know how it feels when you are a soldier..." was the song that played while slides were shown in this tribute. It ended with, "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." So true. Special Speaker Colonel Paul Longgrear has an action figure that has been made in his honor and was one of only 13 Green Berets who survived the Battle of Lang Vei. Colonel Longgrear told students that he did not consider himself to be a hero. He named several soldiers that he served with including Sfc. Eugene Ashley, who he credited with saving his life during this battle, as heroes.


		3rd District Congressman Lynn Westmoreland greeted veterans as they received their certificate of appreciation from Pike County Middle School. Dr. Vickie Smith, Principal of PCMS, is standing beside Congressman Westmoreland.


		A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior at Pike County High School in honor of Military History Club Todd Child's parents, Geraldine Mary and David Alvin Child.


		This photo courtesy of Morgan Pilkenton.		A special tribute was given to the family of Lance Corporal Jeffrey D. Walker, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for others and his country in Iraq on May 14, 2007.


		Pike County Middle School is working to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Pike County. http://www.travelingwall.us


	Darlene and Bruce Brown presented scaled models from different time periods in times of war. Bruce researches every single item in the model down to the tools, vehicles, and timeframe. Each soldier is made of 15 individual pieces.


	History came to life for students as they learned about various time periods from the Revolutionary War to the present with vehicles, communication methods, and soldiers from the American Revolution, the Civil War, and Germany. These photos will be accompanied by their own page and article next week. Additional photos can be viewed and purchased at http://pikecountytimes.zenfolio.com/p185861297.

Click here and here to view pictures from past Pike County Middle School Veterans Day Events.

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