Riley Ridge and Misty Helt were essay contest winners at the World County Veterans Day Program Thursday. Ridge wrote in answer to the prompt, “How Can I Be a Good American?” She said that to be a good American, one must do justice towards everybody, stand for the flag and show respect for freedom, learn how one’s government works and operates, and know one’s rights and freedoms. She said that her example was her father, Taylor, who served in the Marines. “He taught me valuable lessons such as never leave a man behind, and always respect a man who fought for us.” She was the winner of the Patriot’s Pen Post Winner award.
Misty Helt wrote in response to the prompt, “My Generation’s Future.” She started with a scenario where a young girl was whisked away to a future that was uncertain, in a dystopia in which everyone had lost control over their future. “We’re not children anymore,” she said. She said that we can be victims or rise above everything and make a future worth fighting for. She said that if we continued on the path of shutting out each other’s ideas and beliefs, being angry and spiteful, and using our hands to tear each other down, then we would lose sight of our freedoms. She used Lincoln as an example and quoted him when he said, “A house divided will not stand.” She said that it took generations of united hands to build up the country to where it is today. In order to return. She said we need to stop letting circumstances control our lives, and to listen to each other so that we can unite.
A new feature this year was the Patriotism Parade, in which students wore actual uniforms of people who had served in the military.
Damian Roush wore the World War I uniform worn by Joe Marshall’s great-grandfather. Justina Wimer wore the uniform of Winifred Thompson, who met and married Kenton Thompson. Ethan Frese wore the uniform of his grandfather, Ed Costin, who served in World War I and Vietnam in the Air Force and subsequently the Missouri Air Guard. Ethan’s dad, Rick, also served, including in the Kosovo Conflict.
Brayden Combs wore the uniform of Jack Cottrell, who served in the artillery in the Korean War. Cash Jacobs wore the uniform of Charles Sanders, his grandfather, who fought in Vietnam. Megan Tracy wore the uniform of her grandfather, Bill Tracy, who fought in Vietnam and Desert Storm and who served over 30 years, until 1998.
Bracyn Mullock wore the uniform of Kenneth Mullock, who served over 41 years. Summer Riley wore the uniform of Rachel Rush, who served in the Air Force. Evan Baker wore the uniform of his uncle, Jeremy Baker. Olivia Moyer wore the uniform of Terry Findley. Cannon Fletcher wore the uniform of his dad, Ben. Arianna Galanakis wore the uniform of her dad, Dino, who served in the National Guard. Aivry Griffin and Andrew Griffin wore the uniforms of their step-dad, Justin Walker, who served in the Army. Tannery and Riley Ridge wore the uniforms of their dad, Taylor, who served in the Marines in Iraq.
Worth County VFW Commander Bob Hull presented two awards. The first was to Caleb Smith, who was named Missouri VFW State Teacher of the Year last year. The other was to the school for their efforts to promote patriotism. Tish Warner accepted the award on behalf of the school.
The VFW presented a video demonstrating the proper disposal of a flag which is no longer able to be displayed. The steps are: 1 – Fold the flag property; 2 – Say the Pledge; 3 – Say a prayer; 4 – Let it burn until it is all ashes; 5 – Bury the ashes. There is a drop box at the Worth County Courthouse where people can dispose of flags that are no longer able to be properly displayed anymore.
Principal Jon Adwell led a tribute to all the branches of the Armed Forces and polled some of the veterans present to find out the age in which they enlisted. The youngest to enlist was 16, while the oldest to enlist was 28. The band performed a musical salute to the Armed Forces, while student A.J. Drury played a solo of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. The elementary students sang patriotic songs.
The Missouri version of the Vietnam Memorial was once again on display at the program; it features the names of all Missouri servicemembers killed in the Vietnam conflict. Tucker Owens performed the song, “Hero,” which he composed himself.
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