Students and teachers at Smithville Elementary School will pay tribute to hometown heroes during the school’s annual Veterans Appreciation assembly program on Friday morning, November 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11
Last year Kelly Birmingham led students from pre-K to the second grade in singing “God Bless the USA” and other patriotic songs in honor of veterans who have served in each branch of the military.
(NOTE: VIDEOS BELOW ARE FROM LAST YEAR’S VETERANS APPRECIATION PROGRAM)
Smithville Elementary School Students sang for the veterans last year (BELOW)
Adrienne McCormick read the following “Veterans Day” poem by Cheryl Dyson:
“On Veterans Day we honor all,
Who answered to a service call,
Soldiers young, and soldiers old,
Fought for freedom, brave and bold
Some have lived, while others died,
And all of them deserve our pride,
We’re proud of all the soldiers who,
Kept thinking of red, white, and blue,
They fought for us and all our rights,
They fought through many days and nights,
And though we may not know each name,
We thank ALL veterans just the same.”
Veterans either attending or who were recognized or remembered for their service last year were:
Edsel Frazier, U.S. Army in World War II-
Edward Frazier, U.S. Army in World War II-
Ben Franklin, U.S. Army in Vietnam-
Bethel Golden, U.S. Army in Korean Conflict-
John Washer, U.S. Air Force in Operation Iraqi Freedom-
William Russell, U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam Era-
Brian Reed, U.S. Air Force in Desert Storm/Euduring Freedom-
Jimmy Sprague, U.S. Army in Operation Just Cause-Panama
Walter Johnson, U.S. Army in the Korean Conflict-
Tommy Webb, U.S. Army in the Korean Conflict-
Barbara Boehm, U.S. Army Nurses Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan-
Clyde Thomas family. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War-
Jerry and Judy Pistole, U.S. Navy in Vietnam
Jack Allen Midgett, Jr., U.S. Navy in Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terror
Ricky L. Fury, U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam
James T. Owen, U.S. Army in Vietnam
Vance Walker, U.S. Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom
Wayne Storey, U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy in Vietnam
Eddie M. Young, U.S. Navy in Vietnam and Desert Storm
Allen Morse, U.S. Army
Jason Moseley, U.S. Marine Corps
Ronald W. Gray, U.S. Army in Desert Storm
Jason Oakley, U.S. Army in the War on Isis
William Heath Phillips, U.S. Navy
Earl Sims, U.S. Army in World War II
Wayne Vanderpool, U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam
Family of Gene Cripps