Attend a Veterans' Day event or shake a veteran's hand and thank them for their service. They and their families know that freedom isn't free.

This was the 3rd annual Salute to Veterans for the Middle School. Veterans lined the floor in front of the stage from door to door in the auditorium. It was a truly awesome sight to see people from different walks of life united in the common bond of the military.

The support of the kids, the staff, and the community was truly wonderful. Thank you to Todd Child and everyone who had a hand in putting this event together. It ran smoothly and was one of the coolest events that I have ever been to.

Mr. Herbert Hodges began the program by giving thanks to our veterans. He urged the audience to remember that the veterans have sacrificed so we can enjoy the little things like X-box or taking an evening drive. Under the direction of Mr. Rick Ayer, the PCMS Band played an Armed Forces Medley while pictures of soldiers were shown on the big screen. The presentation of colors were given by the 110th CSSB Georgia Army National Guard. You could have heard a pin drop as they brought the colors to the front of the auditorium. 2006-07 Citizenship Award Winner Martis Furguson led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mrs. Linda Varnum introduced special speaker MSG. Michael Dover. MSG Dover gave a talk to the kids and adults in the audience that was short but profound. He gave thanks to the veterans in the audience and opened with an icebreaker about a duck who asks for grapes in a hardware store 3 days in a row and makes the storeowner so angry that he tells the duck he will nail is feet to the floor if he asks for grapes in his store again. Sure enough, day 4 brings the duck to the store and he asks if the storeowner has any nails. When he says no, the ducks then asks for grapes again.

It's funny but also has a deeper meaning about being persistent. A little misguided, but persistent. He talked to the young people about being persistent in the midst of adversity. "Don't dishonor your teachers. They have paid the price to teach you things that you need to know in order to be successful in life. And what they don't teach you, your parents do so don't dishonor your parents either." Don't dishonor veterans because we have paid the price so that you can live in freedom, enjoy life, and be the best that you can possibly be. "There are a lot of people who have invested in your future. Use your time wisely," Dover said.

The Fighting Spirit of the American Soldier was celebrated in a slide show dedicated to soldiers currently serving all over the world. The slide show ran as Toby Keith's song, "American Soldier" played. The PCMS Chorus sang patriotic songs under the direction of Ms. Joan Thomas. The entire assembly sang out with on "I'm Proud to Be an American ... God Bless the USA". This was really cool to be a part of because the kids sang out as much as the adults did.

Winners of the annual essay contest were: 3rd place: Haley Jackson, 2nd place: Matt Holt, and 1st place: Michelle Westbrook. The theme was "Freedom isn't Free" and Michelle read her essay to the crowd. Her essay ended with a thank you to our heroes. "They know freedom isn't free and they choose to pay the price anyway."

A certificate of appreciation was given to every veteran in the audience. The line across the front of the stage was filled with men and women of all ages. The audience clapped and voiced its appreciation to the veterans as they lined the front of the stage from wall to wall in that auditorium. They didn't ask for our thanks, but they have earned our appreciation for their service to our country. The kids clapped andchanted "USA" as the veterans returned to their seats.

Annie Spradlin played "Taps" before the retiring of the colors. The veterans were then asked to stand at the end of the program and face the students. The students then saluted the veterans in a show of honor and thanks. Bill Thompson then thanked the veterans for joining with the Middle School in their program. "What we have done here today cannot begin to repay the sacrifices that these brave men and women have given so we can live our lives in the greatest country in the world-the United States," Bill Thompson said in closing. "We hope that the respect given to you today will somehow help ease the pain that some of you live with every day." The Tuskegee Airmen Click here for website, Huie Bray (escorted the Japanese officials to the USS Missouri to sign the surrender of WWII), and Ira W. Crawford (survivor of Omaha Beach) were present as honored guests to sign autographs and talk to students and faculty after the program.