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McKenzie Middle School Honors Veterans with Program

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McKENZIE (November 13) — Students and teachers at McKenzie Middle School observed Veterans Day Monday with a program to show appreciation for those who have served in the armed forces.
MMS student Nolan Renfro welcomed all guests and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Taylor Rawls then performed the National Anthem.
Renfro then spoke about the costs that veterans and their families pay and the ways small and large that we can repay them.
Students Landon Brown, Ady Freeman, Nathan Lease and Abbie Sumrok then performed a play called “Who is a Veteran?” in which four students learn and discuss what it means to be a veteran.
Next, a group of fifth and sixth grade volunteers from Mrs. Veda Haney’s music classes performed “God Bless the U.S.A” and “America the Beautiful.” Featured singers were Nathan Lease and Carlton Townes. Other singers were Taylor Rawls, Miles Beeler, Kaelyn Stebbins, Lydia High, Luke Toombs, Landyn McClearen, Brayden Priddy, Makensiah Teague, Dalylah Keith, David Ross, Landon Otis, Katelynn Essary, Gracie Aird, Sarah Luci, Troy Townsend and Nadia Sisemore.
Student Jackson Cassidy spoke about the origin and history of the United States flag. A spoken-word recording of “Ragged Old Flag” by Johnny Cash was then played.
Lilly Sumrok then recited “In Flanders Fields,” a poem written from the perspective of fallen soldiers by John McCrae, a Canadian doctor and teacher who served in World War I.

Next, Renfro explained how the five military songs inspire troops and preserve tradition. A medley of the songs was played, and during each branch’s song, students Payton Ognibene, Anna Clare Patel, Kassidy Brown, Autumn Hawks and Alajah Gilbert held up the seal of the respective branch and veterans from that branch were invited to stand.
MMS teacher Zach Renfro then introduced the guest speaker, Sergeant Major Spiros Roditis, who lives in McKenzie with wife Sandi, daughter Ellie and son Stafford.
Sergeant Major Roditis began by saying that he was honored to be speaking on such an important occasion. He asked the veterans present to stand and thanked them, calling them “true heroes.” He then asked family members of veterans to stand and thanked them as well. He spoke of the courage, pride, determination, selflessness and dedication of service members, adding that they were “called to be something bigger than themselves.”
He said, “Our gathering is just one small spark in the flame of pride” across the nation on Veterans Day, and he concluded with, “God bless America.”
Mr. Renfro presented Sergeant Major Roditis with a “token of our appreciation,” then recognized each of the 27 present veterans individually.
Student Kristin Bradberry told the story of the solemn song “Taps,” which was then played by McKenzie High School band trumpet players Kim Essary and Cianna Haney.
Nolan Renfro closed the program with a quote from President Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.”
Following the progran, veterans were invited to enjoy refreshments in the school library.

Veterans, MMS