Veterans saluted at special school programs

Eakin Primary students wait with excitement for the school's Veterans' Day program to begin. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Those thanks came by poems, songs -- and lots of smiles.

"You are our heroes," said Janice Womble, as she spoke to the numerous veterans who attended the program, along with County Mayor Eugene Ray and State Rep. Curt Cobb. "When we reflect upon our country, and the freedom we're able to express, we must give tribute to our veterans for those freedoms."

Eakin's program, called "Remembering Those Who Served," is always a popular Veterans Day program and it was evident that a lot of planning went into it, as students provided flawless renditions of songs like "This Land is Your Land," and "America."

"This is really good for our children because they need to learn about honor and respect for our military," said Womble prior to the program.

All the little ones at Southside were just as pumped up as the hundreds who put on Eakin's program.

"Look at these veterans," said South Side principal Reita Vaughn during their Veterans Day program. "Remember if it hadn't been for what they did, we wouldn't be here having this program today."

Tears were shed by some soldiers as a chorus of South Side teachers sang "Tears for America."

At East Side Primary, principal Sara Wood quoted Franklin Roosevelt: "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy, forget in time that men have died to win them."

She said that veterans are "monuments to freedom" and that tomorrow's veterans, those who serve in the military today, are important to recognize as well.

"They make us proud as they make us safe," said Wood.

The students at East Side participated in the highly symbolic "White Table" ceremony, recognizing prisoners of war and those missing in action. They also watched as members of Tennessee Army National Guard folded the American flag.

At Liberty, Tim Harwell, principal, said it was important to let veterans know, through programs like those held Tuesday, that their dedication and service to our country does not go unnoticed.

"It's just unfortunate that we have only one day a year in which we recognize our veterans," Harwell said. "We just want to make sure on the day that's set aside to recognize them that we do it in a respectful way and in a way that they're going to walk away thinking, 'OK, it was worth it.'"

Tuesday's programs also enabled students to see faces that are actually connected to some of the things they learn about in the classroom.

"They're seeing some of the men that fought in World War II and fought in Korea and Vietnam," Harwell said. "As a result of that, it makes a real world connection with them. That's very important for us to be able to do that with our students.

"We need to make sure that we talk to these people and understand their stories and everything that they went through in order to have what we have here."

Dozens of veterans were also honored Tuesday morning at the Veterans' Day programs at Community, Harris Middle School and Cascade, where children learned about the historical significance of the holiday and its importance and relevance in today's world.

At Cascade, the high school students got involved as well, with the school's band performing a a medley of each military branch's official song. Members of Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard and Air Force rose when their particular song was played.

Four of the high school students, Kourtni Martin, Cheyenne Hill, Kacey Smith and Christa Altman, performed "Travelin' Soldier," and trumpeter Rory Farrell closed the program with "Taps."

Before the haunting piece was played, however, Roy Turrentine, Cascade teacher, asked all of those present to remember those who died in the line of duty and those who have died since coming home, especially the World War II veterans.

"There were an awesome number of people who fought in that war," he said. "And children, I don't use that word the way you do."