Military men, women honored at Perdido school’s annual Veterans Day celebration
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Just as it has been in previous years, it was standing-room-only for the guests, sitting-on-the-floor-room only for the students when Perdido Elementary and Middle School presented its annual Salute to Veterans last Wednesday, November 6.
The yearly tribute to the men and women who wear or have worn the uniform of one of America’s military branches draws veterans from the area and beyond, many of the older ones accompanied by nurses or caregivers, as well as dozens of parents, grandparents and other relatives of the school’s student body.
This year’s guest speaker was Retired U.S. Army Major Benjamin Daniel. Daniel, who grew up in the Nokomis, Atmore and Bratt areas explained to the rural school’s students that each could play a part in maintaining a democratic nation.
“I am sure there are many students sitting here today, thinking ‘I am one person, from a small town in Alabama. How could I possibly have an impact on democracy, especially on a national or international level’,” he said. “I had many of those feelings back when I was your age. I never thought I would really leave the state of Alabama as an adult, much less travel the world, and have the responsibilities and jobs I have had since graduating from Quincy University.”
He regaled the youngsters with a recap of his first military assignment, as Operations and Training Non-Commissioned Officer of his unit, which was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Daniel’s unit was responsible for providing radio, telephone and internet links to all the units on the battlefield.
His hands-on lesson in democracy came when the unit was ordered to take on the additional mission of securing voting buildings and making sure Iraqi voters weren’t interfered with during the country’s first free election.
Daniel was also an active participant in patrols to ensure election integrity and was able to interact through an interpreter with some of the Iraqi citizens who were getting their first opportunity to help decide who would run their country in the wake of Saddam Hussein’s fall from power.
“This experience … is one where I can say I had a voice or hand in helping spread democracy,” he explained.
While he didn’t openly encourage the youngsters to follow a military career path, he challenged each to serve the nation in whatever capacity he or she could. He also stressed that all of them should set goals for themselves and continuously seek to meet and expand those goals.
“Achieving the small goals allows you to build positive momentum in going after the next goal you set,” he said.
While the retired soldier was the keynote speaker, the real stars of the show were, as always, the students. They waved flags, wore paper hats adorned with “Happy Veterans Day” (one young lady even wore an American flag dress) and they sang. And sang. And sang.
Even a sound system malfunction couldn’t stop the youngsters, who had long before memorized the words to the patriotic tunes and military anthems they belted out. There were a few gaps and overlaps in the singing until everybody got on the same page, but there was no lack of enthusiasm.
Other highlights of the celebration included:
*Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance — 8th grader Phillip Allen.
*Posting of colors — Baldwin Co. High Air Force JROTC color guard.
*National Anthem — Music Teacher Morgan Moak.
*“America the Beautiful,” “Code of Honor”— Middle School Band, directed by Richard Myers.
*Patriots Pen Essay Contest Winner — Isabel Pierce (7th grade student).
*USS Alabama Essays — Hudson Hadley, Annalee Blankenship, Kaysen McGhee (4th grade students).
*POW-MIA Table explanation — Eowyn Allen, Addison Davis, Hattie Joiner, Rhylee Davis (4th & 5th grade students).
*Welcome, closing remarks — Lisa Hurley, Gifted Specialist, and
*“Taps” — Trip Stidham (7th grade student) and Band Director Richard Myers.
After the formal ceremony, veterans and other guests hurried to the school cafeteria, where they were treated to a feast prepared and served by the school’s lunchroom staff. Hungry attendees loaded plates from a line of buffet tables that held finger foods, a homemade Veterans Day cake and other sweet treats, vegetables, dips and more.
“This is my second-favorite part of the program,” laughed a Vietnam veteran who identified himself only as “Roger Wilco.”