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LaPoynor students, employees salute veterans

Athens Daily Review - 11/10/2017

Nov. 09--LaPoynor students honored the protectors of their freedom on Thursday.

This was the first time the annual Veterans Day observance was at the new Nichols-Corley gym.

Superintendent James Young greeted the crowd and said he's happy to live in a country with so many freedoms.

"But here's the deal," Young said. "The reason I'm able to stand here this morning and say I love these things is because of the fact veterans, time and time again, have stood in harm's way so we could have that ability and that right."

Principal Crystal Woodard called the veterans role models.

"Service, dedication and love for our country is something we strive to teach our students every day," Woodard said. "So, today, we are glad and honored that we are able to say, 'Thank you for your service. Thank you for your dedication, and thank you for your love of our country.'"

During the observance, students brought the flags of each of the service branches into the gym. To the appropriate music, for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, the veterans stood when their branch was recognized.

Serena Street and Lacee Mullinax answered the question, "What does it mean to be an American?"

"Webster's Dictionary, in this case, has it wrong," Street said. "The best definition of an American is sitting right before me in each of our veterans. You are the essential American."

Street said we can never repay veterans for their sacrifice and to honor them is the ultimate privilege.

"It was you and your service that made it possible for me to be a true American," Mullinax said.

The address was given by Junior Historian Julie Wiggins. She read the poem, "In Your Honor," which tells of the struggles endured by men and women in military service.

"Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost. But you carried onward no matter the cost."

A ceremony was presented for veterans who are prisoners of war or missing in action. Taylor Wimberly explained the meaning of several items displayed at a table near the podium. At the close of the program, the name of each veteran was called and each was presented certificates by the LaPoynor Junior Historians.

According to the Texas State Historical Association, The Junior Historians of Texas is an extracurricular program for 4th- through 12th-grade students. Guided by a school-approved sponsor, students participate in chapter activities that enable them to research history in the classroom and in the community.

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(c)2017 the Athens Daily Review (Athens, Texas)

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