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Patriots salute county veterans
When the county celebrated Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11th, people of Santa Rosa County lined the streets to watch the parade and to salute the veterans that served to preserve our nations freedom. Almost a week later, students of Pace High School packed their patriotic gymnasium to salute the veteran’s a second time, as they have done for the past 10 years.
“This is our Veteran’s Day,” said Pace High School Principal Frank Lay. “This is our 10th annual celebration where we show the appreciation and gratitude out of respect for our Veterans.”
The packed stadium roared as the entire student body cheered on the nearly 75 local veterans as they walked into the gymnasium to be seated.
Navy veteran and Milton resident Bob Lowe said he has been to several Veteran’s Day school celebrations, and it being his first at Pace, said he had never seen this much support.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Lowe,” I’ve never been to a school celebration and seen the appreciation that they’ve showed us today.”
The appreciation came from the hundreds of students and faculty members that took part in the celebration, and the schools NJROTC who put on an array of gratitude for the vets.
“We take this day to heart,” said Pace NJROTC member Robert Kerchoff. “We put a lot of effort into it. We want the students and veterans to enjoy the ceremony every year.”
English teacher and speaker Bruce Smith said this is always a special day for the school.
“At Pace High School, we always choose one day out of the year to do this for everyone,” said Smith.
In light of the recent incident at Fort Hood, and in regards to Sgt. Leonard Keller who recently passed away, Smith asked the school for a moment of silence.
“Heroes come in all shapes and sizes,” said Smith, “and these veterans have preserved this nation as the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
The Patriot NJROTC saluted the veterans that stood before them, putting on a drill performance, of which has helped earn the crew numerous recognitions across the country.
“These (NJROTC) members are in the top 20% of nationally recognized NJROTC groups,” said Smith.
After the drill performance, students and guests were prompted to watch a small video put together by the school that saluted every branch of the military, and the veteran teachers and faculty members at the school.
As the screen projected images of faculty members, the auditorium erupted with a standing ovation.
The NJROTCpresented an $800 check to Principal Frank Lay for the Honor Flight program that takes local World War II veterans to the natioanl memorial in Washington, D.C.
“Kids giving respect like that is special,” said Lay. “That’s why I got emotional. These kids give these veterans the best respect they can’t find anywhere else.”
Lay spoke to students thanking them for their generosity towards the veterans for all that they have done.
“We believe freedom isn’t free. We are Patriots and we stand by the meaning of our name,” said Lay.
At the end of the ceremony, Smith presented a carved wooden eagle that was given to the school by his brother.
“My brother, who’s really good with a chainsaw cut this portion of a tree down when our mother died last Mother’s Day,” Smith said. “He’s been working on it ever since, and my mother would be proud if she could see where its new home is.”
Lay and Danny Rutherford both said they are not positive where the final resting place would be for the almost 3 foot tall sculpture. Lay said he would try to find a good spot for it.
