Zoey Briner Wins Patriot's Pen Essay; Alivia Moyer Wins "Voice of Democracy; Brad Maudlin Wins Public Servant of the Year

Zoey Briner won the Patriot's Pen essay contest at the Worth County Veterans Day Celebration Wednesday, while Alivia Moyer won the VFW Voice of Democracy essay. Brad Maudlin won the Public Servant of the Year award. They were honored by Worth County VFW Post 3123.

Bob Hull of the VFW honored Zoey Briner. She responded to the prompt, "Letter to the Veterans." In it, she talked about how they all went through big challenges, how all of them are part of the reason why we are free, and that they were willing to serve even when it meant leaving everyone behind. Briner wrote that it was easy to walk down the streets without stopping and thinking about what made it possible. "We will remember the struggles you went through," she concluded.

Alivia Moyer, in her Voice of Democracy essay, wrote about her conversation with a Navy veteran. He told her that many people returned from Vietnam in secret due to fear of repercussions. Many were called killers, and many witnessed horrible things during their time there. "They were treated so poorly, yet they are still grounded in love, kindness, and respect," she wrote. She wrote that we can have different beliefs in this country, yet we can still shake hands.

Jeremy Baker of the VFW honored Highway Patrolman Brad Maudlin as the Public Servant of the Year.

High School Principal Carl Parman honored past and current veterans in attendance. Among those honored were:

--Jerry Cook, World War II veteran who served in Okinawa;

--Doris Monday, whose late husband served in World War II and who recently turned 107;

--Jack Cottrell, who served in the Korean Conflict;

--Jeff Ruckman, who came from San Antonio, and who served in the Air Force.

Students made a victory tunnel to honor all past and present service members. 

Principal Amber Hawk welcomed the crowd. The VFW did the Presentation of the Colors. The High School Band and the Elementary did the Opening Cadence and the Star Spangled Banner. The Kindergarten led the Pledge. The new singing group, the Worth County Youth Singers, sang, "My America." The Color Guard performed a patriotic routine. 

Kyle Dignan narrated a skit in which students dressed in military uniforms from different eras from the Revolutionary War to the present made contributions to the Tree of Liberty.

Following the playing of "TAPS," Superintendent Chris Healy made closing remarks, and the VFW retired the colors.