Louis Prichard, one of Worth County’s last living World War II veterans, was awarded an honorary diploma by the school at the annual Veterans Day celebration Friday. Mr. Prichard dropped out of school in 1943 to enlist in the military, served from 1943 to 1946, and never got the opportunity to finish school. He served on the USS Sculpture, which delivered ammunition to soldiers who were fighting on the various islands of the Pacific. He was a 1st Class Boatswain.
Doris Monday, at 103 years young, is one of Worth County’s oldest residents; she was in attendance Friday. She is the widow of the late Denzil Monday, who fought in World War II. She waited four years for him to return, and they got married. She had six brothers who served in the military as well; two served in World War II, two served in Korea, and two were peacetime veterans. She also had two nephews and a son who served in Vietnam.
The Worth County Drumline Corps opened the celebration with a march into the gym, and the Kindergarten class led the crowd of around 800 in the Pledge. Elementary Principal Chuck Borey welcomed everyone, saying, “Our debt can never be repaid. They are the true heroes of our country. The lower elementary students sang, “The Grand Old Flag.”
Bob Hull, Commander of Worth County VFW Post 3123, recognized members of the local Honor Guard, which performs local military honors for deceased veterans. “They ask for nothing, but they deserve a small token of our appreciation,” he said. Recognized were Mark Abplanalp, Will Brown, Bill Calhoon, Sean Cameron, Lee Mincy, Frank McElvain, David Maudlin, and Bill Tracy.
Mr. Hull also gave Riley Ridge an award for outstanding service, Superintendent Chris Healy a certificate for the school’s efforts to support veterans, and Julia Wideman for organizing the program annually and for getting the State VFW Teacher of the Year Award last year.
The Upper Elementary sung the popular Lee Greenwood tune, “Proud to be an American.”
Jo Lynn Hawk was given the Patriot’s Pen award this year for her essay, “My Pledge to Veterans.” Hawk wrote about how it was easy during peacetime to forget what war was like. She pledged to remember the veterans and to never take them for granted. “You know that war is not fun and games,” she wrote.
High School Principal Jon Adwell recognized Mrs. Monday as well as all the branches of the Armed Forces along with all the survivors of the various conflicts from World War II to the Global War on Terror. The High School Band played a tribute to all the different branches of the Armed Forces.
Paige Sherer was given the Voice of Democracy by the Worth County VFW for her essay, “Why are Veterans Important?” She wrote that veterans were like the sturdy materials that kept a house together. “Our veterans bear the weight of the country and are constantly supporting the rest of our citizens,” she wrote. “They made sure we were safe. They sacrificed everything so that we never have to fear threatened.” She concluded, “Without them, it’s like having no beams and columns to hold our house up.”
A group of students reenacted the Johnny Cash video, “Ragged Old Flag,” about a flag in a courtyard that had been in all of the conflicts the US had fought in and had survived. Tucker Owens performed “Born Into Nothing,” a song that he wrote about someone who was born into nothing who decided to enlist in the military.
The middle school and high school students formed a tunnel for all the veterans in attendance to go through at the end of the program. Refreshments were served afterwards.
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