Peachtree – Capt. Reid Woody is very good at eating. This is what he told an auditorium full of students from Tri-County Early College on Friday during the high school’s Veterans Celebration.
Woody said because he was one of seven children, he learned to eat quickly, “a skill that helped me in the mess tent. I was one of the few soldiers who had time for seconds.”
In Woody’s keynote speech, he told an attentive audience that he joined the military for two reasons: one, “my constant sense of duty I felt I owed my country;” and, two “my love of aviation.”
He served as a military pilot, saying, “it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.” In addition to is job requiring him to evacuate soldiers, he also had the somber task of “flying our fallen heroes on their final journey home.”
Woody’s daughter – Cameron, a sophomore at the Early College – joined her father on the platform to proudly introduce him to her classmates. Principal Jason Forrister organized the event “to honor our veterans,” saying, “Many of our students have gone on to serve in the military.”
Among those being honored was senior Emma Jacobs’ brother.
“When he served in Turkey, we were scared,” she said, but the family was able to keep in contact with him through Facetime calls. “He called mom every night,” she added with a smile.
Among those being honored was Sgt. First Class Chris Hall along with her husband, Thomas Hall.
“I’ve always outranked him,” Hall said with a laugh. Shed felt privileged to be honored at the event. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those who came before me.”
The Halls are both retired from service but miss the camaraderie of their fellow soldiers. However, one thing Chris does not miss, “is waking up at four a.m. for PT [physical training].”
Another veteran to receive a flag from the students was E4 Corp. Eric Drew. He didn’t have to worry about early morning reveler, saying, “I am a night owl, so I always volunteered for the overnight shifts.”
Drew was in charge of “shooting heavy guns at people,” which he said was sometimes difficult. Drew chose to concentrate on why he was there rather than what he was doing.
“Military soldiers serve a larger cause,” he said. “I always knew that what I was doing would protect my country back home.”
Woody ended his speech with a call to action by explaining the dwindling numbers in the U.S. armed forces.
“There are 1.4 million people serving as active members of the military,” he said. “That means less than 1 percent of our population has volunteered, but that million is the strongest million in the world.”
Woody’s comments did not apply to Tri-County Early College junior Mylan Dockery.
“I already know I’m going into the Air Force,” he said proudly. “I can go to college for free and earn a job that pays well.”
Like Woody, Dockery’s focus is on aviation. “I want to be a pilot,” he said.