Andrews – Veterans Day was once again celebrated in Andrews, with the elementary schools providing breakfast and the high school hosting a patriotic assembly Friday as part of weeklong celebrations in Cherokee County Schools.
All five military branches were represented during the program with the breakfast being well-attended by a total of mer than 60 students and family members. Leroy Payne, a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, who attended with his three great-grandchildren – Gracie, Robbie and Layla – said he was glad to be able to attend and appreciated the schools making this effort to show their gratitude.
Andrews Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620 commander and Marine Scott Ramler was also thrilled to attend the breakfast with his daughter, Amanda Ramler, and grandson, second-grader Harrison Severance. His granddaughter, Frances, was also singing in the high school chorus, so the family was able to enjoy the program as it’s both his grandchildren’s first year in Andrews schools.
Once again the fifth-grade Student Council candidates served breakfast in the gymnasium, as tables were decorated with student-made placemats thanking veterans for their service.
After the breakfast and a hallway parade through the elementary school, the student body walked across the street to the Andrews High School gymnasium, where the program began with Dr. Sheryl Rogers’ inaugural hosting of the event.
Veterans entered to “Armed Forces on Parade” by the Andrews High Band led by director Samuel Kolodski, and once again took their place of prominence stationed in the middle of the gymnasium.
Rogers provided the welcome before Student Council President Ty Clark led the assembly in an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Clark’s remarks focused on how after this election cycle, we can “all come together to honor the sacrifice our servicemen and women have made for our country.”
As a symbol of that sacrifice, Alexis Beasley presented the significance behind the Missing Man Table, set only for one; the white tablecloth to represent the purity of intentions in answering the nation’s call to arms; the single rose representing the blood shed for our country; the yellow ribbon which signifies the love of country and the hope for return of the missing; the slice of lemon which is indicative of the bitter fate of the missing; salt sprinkled on the place setting which symbolizes the families’ tears; the inverted glass as a mark of how the missing are unable to partake; the lit candle which symbolizes the hope which may illuminate the way home for the missing; and the empty chair for the absence of the missing service member.
Following this somber moment, “Taps” was played by Andrews Middle School Principal Joslyn Parker-Booth, providing a poignant and tearful segment of the program.
Putting a spin on his Welcome Home to Korean and Vietnam War veterans, James Ellis was joined by service members from each branch. A U.S. Navy veteran, Ellis choked back tears as he welcomed home veterans who did not receive a proper welcome when they returned from their various theaters of combat, especially taking time to welcome his father.
After Ellis’ remarks, Jeffery Brown of the Air Force, Stephen Dartez of the Coast Guard, Andrews Police Chief Caleb Stiles of the Marines and active duty Army member Ray Blackwell each took turns reading various statistics of United States wars, including the numbers of servicemen and women who lost their lives or went missing during combat, which provided a more sobering look at veterans’ sacrifices for our nation. Each in turn also welcomed either their own family members or each sailors, soldiers and troops of each branch of service.
As another reminder of those promises America has made to its citizens and in the world, Kyia Lovingood then tearfully read the poem “America’s Promise,” written by Rick Martinez, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and founder of Veterans for America.
As a highlight of patriotism, the high school chorus then sang the varying branches’ anthems to which each branch’s members stood whilst positioned in the middle of the gymnasium when their branch’s salute was played. This year, local pastor Bo Phillips joined Dartez when the Coast Guard’s anthem played as the two shook hands in a show of solidarity and camaraderie.
Other tunes sung by the high school chorus included “America the Beautiful” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” The fourth-grade chorus then took over with familiar standards, including “My Country Tis’ Of Thee” and “Oh, I Love America.”
In its 10th year, with the lone exception being the year COVID-19 struck, the program was originally begun in 2014 and has served to provide recognition and gratitude to area veterans and was initially conceived as a special joint project between the Parent & Teacher Associations and schools.
Details: Visit aes.cherokee.k12.nc.us and ahs.cherokee.k12.nc.us.