Just after the children arrived at school and started their day, Principal at East Central Elementary School Dr. Wesley Styles and faculty members offered their students a chance to honor our veterans.
East Central hosted family members who served our country for a special Veterans Day Ceremony. All students gathered in the gymnasium for a chance to tell them thank you and learn about the sacrifices of our military men and women.
The ceremony began with a presentation of our country’s colors by the leadership students at East Central.
“President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as a commemoration of Armistice Day in the year 1919. He did so to mark the end of World War I,” Dr. Styles told his students during his welcome address. “And on June 4, 1926, the United States Congress adopted a resolution asking Americans to observe Armistice Day on November 11th of each year. Then on May 13, 1938, the U.S. Congress made the 11th day of November a legal holiday. But at this time, the name was still Armistice Day; a day that signified the end of fighting in World War I. This day was primary seen as a way to honor the veterans of World War I. In 1954, after World War II and the greatest mobilization of sailors, marines, airmen and soldiers in our nation’s history, the 83rd Congress amended the Act from 1938 by striking out the word ‘Armistice’ and inserting the word ‘Veterans’ in its place. With the approval of this legislation, on June 1,1954, November 11th became a day to honor American Veterans of wars both deceased and living.”
Dr. Styles went on to let his students know how important it is to recognize our military and be appreciative of the work they do to preserve our freedoms and to keep us safe at home. After his welcome, all veterans in attendance were asked to stand to be recognized, including Superintendent of Rome City Schools Louis Byars who was present for the ceremony.
“I am very humbled to know that people around our country are attending events like the one here at East Central,” Byars said. “I am also proud to have served my country and preserve the freedoms we enjoy. It is nice to have a day to remember the sacrifices of so many, so that we never take the idea of freedom for granted. It comes at a cost, and it comes with service. To the men and women who are here and have served, we want them to know that our community and our schools appreciate them. It is just an honor to be here.”
Glenn Shedd, a U.S. Navy Veteran, and husband of RCS educator Kimberly Shedd, was the guests of honor. Shedd spoke about his experience in the Navy and said that he was able to see the world, get and education and serve his country because of his decision to join the military. Shedd went to law school and now works as an attorney. He said that his journey and success is because of what he was able to learn while serving his country.
After a slideshow presentation featuring photos of veterans submitted by EC families, RCS student Zaden Cook played a beautiful rendition of “Taps” a song often used by the U.S. Armed Forces to honor the fallen.
East Central then treated the veterans and their families to breakfast in the school cafeteria, courtesy of Chic-fil-A.
“I want to send a true, heartfelt thank you to all of the men and women who have served our country,” Dr. Styles said after the event. “While I was thinking about my welcome speech, I remembered the time spent with one of my favorite veterans. He passed this year. His name was Jim Milner, and I will always remember the stories he told me. But what I took most from the conversations we had was that we are all part of something great, and there are so many people who have lost their lives so that we can be free to discuss what makes us different and embrace what makes us American. When our service people join together for a common cause, they do not see race; they do not see religion; they do not see Democrats of Republicans. They see their brothers and sisters who are fighting for us all. We can learn a lot from talking to our veterans. From the bottom of our hearts, I want to say thank you for providing an example for me and for our students.”
Go Wolves and thank you, Veterans.
