White County High School honors veterans

Not even the weather will stop White County High School from honoring veterans. Although it was pushed back a day after schools were closed on Veterans Day, WCHS hosted their ceremony for the veterans, on Nov. 12. The turnout was even larger than the prior years, hosting service members from nearly every branch, as well as representing multiple eras and wars of service.

After students filled the gymnasium, the JROTC began the ceremony. To honor all the veterans present, the JROTC presented each flag representing the branches of the military. As each flag was presented, the veterans for each branch would stand. Later in the ceremony, Principal Greg Wilson would read off the names of the veterans per branch as well.

There was also a “Missing Man Table” set up for those soldiers that went missing or were otherwise unaccounted for, and the symbolism in each item was explaining. The cloth is white to show the purity of motives when entering service. A single red rose to symbolize the loved ones and friends that seek answers for their missing soldiers. A red ribbon on the vase holding the rose is to represent the determination to find the missing. A slice of lemon reminds of the bitter fate, captured or missing, and then a pinch of salt to represent the tears shed for the missing, captured, or fallen.

The guest speaker for the event was Chief Master Sergeant John Ward, who shared both his experience in the Air Force as well as the importance of Veterans Day. One of the final messages he left for the students was: “If we could all be a little bit more proud of where we came from, and what people did to get us where we’re at.”

After the speeches and moments of silence for the veterans, “God Bless the USA” was performed to a standing ovation afterward. Principal Wilson once again thanked the veterans that came to the event.