On Friday TCCHS hosted their annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony. Planning and scheduling for the annual community event begins months ahead of time. The program, open to all veterans, has grown each year. With donations from community sponsors, the TCCHS Cafeteria Staff spent hours decorating the cafeteria and preparing breakfast for our deserving Veterans and their guests. Coordinated by TCCHS Secretary Becky Lanier, the annual event hosted over one hundred thirty Veterans, honoring each branch of our military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Ft. Campbell Honor Guard and vocalist, TCCHS student council members, TCCHS Band, Mr. Jimmy Shemwell, and the Todd County 4-H troupe all participated in the ceremony. Along with our honored Veterans, TCCHS Students, TCMS students, NTES students and STES students were in attendance.
In this year’s program, we recognized the 100-year anniversary of World War I. After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe and quickly became a symbol of the sacrifices made by Americans and allied service members around the world. Soldiers returning from WWI brought home the flowers in memory of the barren landscape transformed by the sudden growth of wild red poppies among the newly dug graves. Mr. Jimmy Shemwell provided poppy pins for all Veterans for today's ceremony, as a symbol of honor for the sacrifice of our veterans.
Mr. Troy Hampton, Deputy Director of Bluegrass Challenge Academy delivered a message as the program’s guest speaker. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Elkton, Mr. Wayne Belanger recognized our Todd County World War II Veterans in attendance at today's ceremony. He presented each with an award of appreciation, thanking them for the service that they have given to the country and continued support to our community. Todd County was honored to have WWII Veterans Bryan Blount, Henry Malone and Carmon Crafton in attendance today.
We celebrate Veterans Day on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, the armistice that began on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Since the founding of our country, some 48 million men and women have served in the United States military. Each veteran has contributed to this nation and to the advance of human freedom. Each veteran has earned this nation’s permanent gratitude. On Veterans Day, we remember the fallen, and we show our respect to those still among us, the veterans we know as our friends, neighbors, relatives, and colleagues. In so many ways, the life we live today has been shaped by our veterans. On Veterans Day we at TCSD would like to thank each veteran for their continued support to our community, and we thank them for their service to the United States of America.