Andrews Andrews elementary and high schools feted local veterans with a complimentary breakfast and patriotic assembly Thursday morning.
With veterans from all five military branches present, the breakfast was catered by Julie’s Place in Peachtree and is the first one held since COVID-19 restrictions went into place two years ago, Andrews Elementary Principal Kim Smith said.
“We’re glad to be able to again offer this special community gathering to recognize the men and women who have served in the military and for the students to cheer on their service to our country,” she said.
The fifth-grade Student Council candidates served the breakfast, and any students who had family attend were able to eat breakfast with them in the gymnasium.
After the breakfast and a hallway parade, held indoors because of a wildfire in the area, the entire elementary student body walked across the street to the Andrews High gymnasium. That’s where the third-grade chorus provided renditions of standard patriotic songs including “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee.”
To begin the assembly, high school Principal Lance Bristol invoked Winston Churchill, using his famous quote, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few,” to set the tone for somber reflection of what it means to consider with gratitude veterans volunteered service to our country.
The Andrews High chorus, with accompaniment by the high school band, sang each branch of the military’s marching songs, along with the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and various other rousing tunes, like “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”
In addition, third-grader Lochlain Ledford performed a special solo of “My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee.”
Sandy Solesbee, widow of coach and athletic director Kenneth Solesbee, placed a rose at the podium during the band’s playing of “Taps” in remembrance of her husband.
Conceived as a special joint project between the Parent and Teacher Association and schools, the program was originally begun in 2014 and has served to provide recognition and gratitude to area veterans.
With most every student decked out in red, white and blue, the assembly served as a fitting tribute to every veterans’ service. During a rendition of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” every veteran immediately stood with the crowd, joining in on that rousing line, “And I’d proudly stand up and defend her still today.”
With close to 50 veterans attending, members stood to a round of applause as their branch was recognized.
Only one member of the Coast Guard was present, as Stephen Dartez, known locally as Lil Snowie, was able to have breakfast as a special treat with his daughter. Having served both on U.S. soil and abroad on special teams in Iraq, Dartez beamed as he alone stood for the Coast Guard march to much applause.
While the majority of veterans hailed from the Army, the Air Force, Navy and Marines were represented as well.
Ray Blackwell, who is stationed in active Army duty at Fort Benning, Ga., came in to surprise his fifth-grade daughter for the breakfast, much to her delight.
“Yeah, it was a total surprise, but I had to be here,” Blackwell said. “I had to.”
Friends Ronnie Brooks and Bill Mintz, both Vietnam veterans from the Army, were glad to partake of the meal with Brooks’ great-granddaughter and grandson.
To close out the program Cherokee County School Board vice chair James Ellis gave special recognition and thanks to Korea and Vietnam-era veterans, including a moving tribute to the discussion of how their homecomings were vastly different from many other veterans’ experiences after wartime.
In his closing remarks, Bristol emphasized the importance of expressing gratitude for our freedoms in America – and how we should never take them for granted.