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THE REAL ESTATE GUIDE

BREAKING NEWS!

By Deborah Turner

Huntingdon Mayor Dale Kelley was among 38 veterans in attendance Thursday, November 18 for Huntingdon High School's annual Veterans Day service which featured Marine Col. (ret.) Dennis Arinello as guest speaker.

Arinello, who recently retired from the US Marine Corps, served two tours of duty in Southwest Asia (the Middle East.) Between tours he adopted the town of Huntingdon as his hometown due to the hospitality of the people he would meet during his visits to the town. During his visit Thursday, he noted that Huntingdon and Carroll County are a piece of Americana that is long forgotten in other parts of the country.

"What you have here, you can't buy," he told the students.

Arinello was present on June 30, 2001 when the Carroll County War Memorial in Thomas Park was dedicated and presented the town with a "Deck of 55" portraying the most wanted Iraqi criminals in January this year. He and his wife reside in Virginia Beach.

Arinello began his remarks by explaining the history of Veterans Day, saying, "An older generation recognized this day as Armistice Day when, in 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, all hostile action of World War I ceased and the 'world was again at peace.'"

That was the first major war abroad, he said, in which large numbers of American troops and material helped our European allies turn the tide of the battle.

Originally themed to recognize the end of "the war to end all wars", President Eisenhower in 1954 signed legislation designating the holiday as Veterans Day in recognition of veterans of both world wars as well as the Korean War.

He lauded every veteran present as America's "greatest generation" in that they were a part of the strength and sacrifice required to defend and protect the nation through many difficult times, setting the standard for heroism.

"Preserving the nation's security has been, and is now, a continuing challenge," he said.

"No one wants war," he said, allowing that the high schoolers "formative years are heavily burdened with adult cares."

"You are living in a new dimension of concern for the world about you...charged with shaping the future of this great nation," he said, amid the "reality that there are many globally who truly despise the rights and liberties you and I enjoy as free Americans."

He cautioned the soldiers of the World War II era are dying at a rate of 1,000 to 1,200 a day and that unless their stories are recorded they will be lost.

"Battles like Verdun, D-Day. Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, and the Chosen Reservoir are now being replaced with names of towns like Fallujah, Ramadi, Kabul, and Na-jaf," he said. "Your "Pearl Harbor" is the attack of 9-11 in New York City."

He asked the students to maintain in themselves and their future children a love of country and understanding of justice and freedom, and respect for the dignity of man, which has aided in the nation's recovery many times from external threats to those freedoms.

And he noted that when parents and relatives send their sons and daughters to war, they ask only two things: to make them better men and women and to return them safely home.

"Unfortunately, for over 1,000, the second request has not been granted," he lamented, but said they did not die in vain.

Those fighting in the current war, he said, will have "truly earned the title as this nation's next 'greatest generation'."

But he cautioned that, knowing from experience what is at stake, one home the zealous warriors must not lose sight of their primary mission: "a full awareness of external threats and the need to be strong internally so as to meet those threats that tear at the very core of what makes us unique as Americans."

"On this Veterans Day we honor the thousands and thousands of young men and women who continue in the pursuit of freedom and peace, who seek only the country's good, and no other glory... But our observance of Veteran's Day must not stop there, for we honor their devotion best when we renew our own devotion to their ideals, to courage and selflessness, and loyalty and honor - and above all, lasting peace... In their years of crisis, they had faith in America's ideals and way of life, and they did not fail. May we have the courage and wisdom not to fail them."

Arinello concluded his remarks by saying he was very appreciative of the support from Huntingdon.

"God bless you, God bless Carroll County, God bless Huntingdon, God bless the USA," he said, then singled out the veterans as he continued, "Thank you for being here and for the sacrifices you made."

As always, the Huntingdon High School band and chorus were important parts of the service. The band played the "Star Spangled Banner" , "Emblem of Unity", and "Irving Berlin's Songs for America". The chorus performed "Armed Forces of Parade" and "One Great Nation". Both ensembles are under the direction of Lisa Bryant.

Other students participating in the production were emcee Mallory Miller; Hunter Hastings and Mark Bolen, who presented the colors, Christopher Ray who read "A Veteran's Day Poem" by Holly RulliThomas Butler introduced the guest speaker and Mr. Mike Henson recognized veterans in attendance.Garrett Meggs led the assembly in a moment of silence and "Taps" was performed by Ben Campbell and Merrilee Vickers.

By Joel Washburn washburn@mckenziebanner.com

Students at West Carroll Junior/Senior High School students observed Veterans Day on Thursday with the recitation of poems, the singing of the National Anthem, and the introduction of veterans. Seated before them were soldiers who served in conflicts ranging from WWII to the most recent war in Iraq.

Honored guests were: William Earl Oneill, who served in the Europe during WW II; Phil Williams, Vietnam; Robert Hill, Vietnam, Norton Crocker, WWII-Europe; James Paul Baxter, Korea; Vernon Bobo, WWII, Europe; Lester Scott, Korean Conflict; Doug Johnson, Vietnam; and Jeremy Bracknell, in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bracknell is on active duty with the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne, based in Clarksville. He is a 1996 graduate of West Carroll High School.

Madison Lane, student government president, served as master of ceremonies. Lauren Kail sang the National Anthem, and Kail, Sierra and Aurree King sang "God Bless America."

Following the 30-minute presentation, students were invited to meet the veterans. Many of the students rushed to the gymnasium floor to shake the hands of the those who honorably served their country.

By Ernie Smothers Staff Reporter

Students, teachers, and administrators of Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central gathered to honor local veterans during an emotional and patriotic presentation on Thursday, November11 in the high school gymnasium.

Stirring vocal performances by Central students Brandy Seagraves and Anna Frederick, coupled with First Baptist Church music minister Steve Frederick’s powerful rendering of “God Bless the U.S.A.,” brought the packed auditorium to its feet. An acappella version of “American Trilogy” by Central staff members Janna Brotherton and Wanda McMackin garnered a standing ovation as well.

Guest speaker for the event was Staff Sergeant Greg Hillard, who returned this spring after having served a 14-month tour of duty in Iraq. Hillard also serves as the Mayor of Hollow Rock.

“I appreciate the prayers and love I’ve received,” he began. “I send greetings to you on behalf of the 1175th Transportation Company.”

Hillard, looking at students on both sides of the gym emotionally stated, “I’m a 1983 graduate of this school. We live in the best nation of the world.” He praised the veterans seated before him, “I salute our veterans. They are my heroes.”

During his presentation, aided by visual images via big screen display, Hillard described weaponry and various vehicles currently being utilized by American forces. “Iraqi’s shoot at us with little bullets; we shoot back with big ones.”

Hillard remembered the smiling faces of Iraqi people he encountered that made his experience meaningful. “They want us there—they accept us,” he noted.

He told the students that 97 percent of Iraq was of the Muslim faith while the remaining three percent were Christian.

“We guarded mosques so people could worship—protect the good within and kept the bad out.”

Hillard concluded by saying, “The main goal of the 1175th Tullahoma/Brownsville was to board a Kuwaiti airlines jet and come back to Tennessee.” The crowd responded with thunderous applause.

Each veteran in attendance stood as his name was called and received the honor befitting him. High school Principal Jack McGee praised the veterans, stating, “These people sacrificed family, home, everything. They did not turn their backs, make excuses or hide from service to their country. They are the reason we are free.” McGee concluded by asking for a moment of science. “This is the 11th month, 11th days and the 11th hour,” he noted.

At the conclusion of the presentation, veterans and family members were escorted to the lunch room to partake of a delicious meal prepared by cafeteria staff.

By Deborah Turner

Veterans Day at McKenzie Elementary School was extra special this year as the veterans of past wars and peacetime eras were joined by soldiers of the McKenzie National Guard who were preparing to leave just one week from the November 11 holiday.

One section of the school's foyer was rapidly filling with yellow ribbons of support for loved ones designated by the children. In the gymnasium, where the service was conducted, a giant American flag hung upon the wall, the stripes created by fourth grade students of as many waving red hands as there were students in the school.

Guidance counselor Beckie Smith advised parents she would be conducting small group sessions for children dealing with the deployment of loved ones who are expected to be away from home at least a year.

After the presentation of the colors by members of the McKenzie National Guard unit, the assembly was led in the pledge of allegiance by guard members followed by the "The Star Spangled Banner".

Guest speaker, McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester, himself an Air Force veteran, spoke to the children regarding the origins of the American flag, beginning with Betsy Ross, who was credited with creating the first flag.

According to Betsy, Winchester told the children, "General Washington showed her a rough design of the flag that included a six-pointed star."

But Betsy, "a standout with the scissors," instead folded paper from which she cut the five-point star that was used in the flag.

Up until that time, he continued, colonies and militias used many different flags, such as the famous "Rattlesnake Flag" used by the Continental Navy, with its venomous challenge, "Don't Tread on Me." Another naval flag had a green pine tree on a white background, called the "Liberty Tree" flag. Other flags were similar to Britain's flag called the Union Jack or used certain parts of it.

That was not surprising, he said, since many colonists considered themselves loyal subjects of Britain under King George III.

Betsy finished the flag in late May or early June 1776, said the mayor. "In July, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time at Independence Hall. Amid celebration, the Liberty Bell tolled, heralding the birth of a new nation."

The flag was adopted on June 14, 1777, when Congress "resolved that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

"On some flags the stars were arranged in a circle, on other flags the stars were in a row or rows and the stars in a row became the selected method when other states were added to the United States," said Winchester. "Our flag has thirteen stripes, seven red and six white stripes and fifty stars representing the 50 states of the United States."

The colors, he said, represent ideas like courage, patriotism and liberty. The flag has been called Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, and the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, in its original version, was written in 1792.

Francis Scott Key wrote his tribute to the flag, "The Star Spangled Banner", in 1814, when, following a night of British attacks on Fort McHenry, he saw "the flag was still there." The song was adopted as the national anthem in 1931, the mayor said.

Freedom was the topic of several winning essays read aloud by Smith. Essay winners included Josh Crocker, Alexis Lane, and T.J. Birmingham. Each expressed appreciation for the soldiers' sacrifice in maintaining their freedoms.

Music director Mrs. Pat Forgy led the exceptionally talented Little Rebel Singers in songs including "America" featuring Alex Crosser, Katelyn Ridley and Brian Worley; "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" lip-synched while dancing by Tiesha Haynes, Taylor Buckley and Alexis Lane; "Yankee Doodle Boy" and "Kid From the USA" and "Lean on Me", with solos by Joshua Molloy, Michael Keenan, and Tucker Kail.

Taps was performed by high school students Andrew Bertino and Kellett Hochreiter.

Guests were treated to a special reception after the program where they enjoyed an American flag-decorated cake, drinks, and fellowship.