Veterans’ Day speakers in Bruce and Calhoun City emphasized honoring generations of the past while working to uplift future generations at the same time.
World War II veteran Glen White and all other veterans in attendance at the Calhoun City program were presented gifts by students from Vardaman Elementary. Photo by Joel McNeece
“Service, pride, determination, integrity – these are the qualities of veterans, qualities needed to serve something greater than one’s self,” U.S. Marine Williams H. Smith told those gathered on the Bruce Square.
Smith paid tribute to the millions of Americans who have fought and died for freedom and urged everyone to take the time to say thank you, particularly to the families of those who lost loved ones.
“We’ve awarded medals to our veterans, erected monuments and named buildings in their honor, but nothing can replace the hole left behind from a fallen serviceman,” Smith said.
He thanked those who had gathered on the square for taking the time to pay tribute to veterans and asked that all keep today’s servicemen and women in their thoughts and prayers.
Calhoun County native Mickey Walls, who was honored earlier this year with the statewide “Troops to Teachers” award, encouraged veterans to get involved in the local schools.
“Our schools need you,” Walls said speaking on the Calhoun City Square.
He lauded the “Troops to Teachers” program and the impact those with a military background can have in the classroom.
“We’re not only at war in Afghanistan and Iraq, but here at home,” said Walls, a veteran of the 223rd National Guard unit in Bruce. “We’re losing our culture to a generation of kids that can’t read and write.”
Steve Norwood performed the national anthem at the Bruce Veterans' Day program. Photo by Joel McNeece
Walls, who teaches school in Forest, praised Common Core and said the best way to protect the freedoms our veterans fought to preserve is to improve the education of today’s children.
“We’re losing a cultural war from the school house to the church house to the courthouse,” Walls said. “We need our churches to make more of a difference with our parents and children.”
Walls said when he joined the military he took an oath to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. He said our domestic enemy is our education system.
“We need to stand up and fight for our kids,” Walls said.
Other highlights of the Calhoun City program included a special recognition of all World War II veterans in attendance, a 21-gun salute by the 858th Horizontal Engineer Company, the placing of the wreath on the Veterans’ monument by Virginia and Col. Edwin Boland and the national anthem sung by Karen Bollinger.
Steve Norwood performed an instrumental Star Spangled Banner at the Bruce program with his fiddle.
Calhoun Academy student Maria Inman delivered patriotic remarks and VFW Post #5571 Commander James Hardin emceed the program and invited all to come enjoy stew afterwards.
Hal Reese Jr., of Calhoun City, concluded both programs with the playing of “Taps.”
WORLD WAR II Veterans, from left, Charles Terry, James Pratt and Rupert Lunceford salute during the Pledge of Allegiance at the Calhoun City Veterans’ Day program. Photo by Joel McNeece
