by Mary Tootill, sophomore
The John I. Burton community held a Veterans Day assembly on November 12, 2018. The entire student body, along with the NEMS choir, and several veterans and guests from the community participated.
The assembly began with the John I. Burton band playing The National Anthem, followed by the playing of the military service songs. The Pledge of Allegiance was then led by junior Caleb Barnette.
Dasanye Smith, also a junior, read a text about the end of WWI and spoke about the celebration of the anniversary held on November 11 every year.
The NEMS and JIB choir sang several patriotic selections. Senior Brooklin Baker performed a vocal solo of "God Bless the USA."
A slide show created by history teacher Coach Sharpe was then presented, including a montage of photos, videos, and songs depicting the service of veterans through various wars.
A porion of the ceremony was also planned by the Korean Wars Veterans Auxiliary and led by veteran Sgt. Ray Wells, accompanied by his wife Anna Wells, Taylor Bolling, and auxiliary chaplain Brenda Bolling,
Sgt. Wells shared his own military experience and discussed the respect that students and all Americans should have for veterans. He suggested that even better than thanking veterans for their service is to tell them they we will "never forget" their service and sacrifice.
Wells asked all of the veterans who had been invited as guests to stand according to what war or when they had served. He then asked students who had close family members who served to also stand, and at least a third of the students stood.
Tayler Bolling, a J.I.B. alumna, sang the National Anthem, and Anna Wells played the autoharp and sang "This Land is Your Land." Sgt. Wells and Major Rasnick then told a story about a worn flag being insulted and did a dramatic recitation of Johnny Cash's "Ragged Old Flag."
Major Joe Rasnick presented Corporal Hayward Gilliam with a Silver Star Award proclamation honoring him for his bravery in holding off the North Koreans and Chinese during a battle until reserve forces could respond. Gilliam's brother, who had been killed during the incident, had received the Silver Star Award posthumously.
During the veterans' presentation, J.I.B. senior Skylar Williams was presented with the Veterans Appreciation Award, which Sgt. Wells explained is given to a student, who not only demonstrates academic accomplishment, but also shows sportsmanship, leadership, and good citizenship.
All veterans were invited to attend lunch in the John I. Burton cafeteria after the assembly, and many of them accepted the invitation.