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West Carroll Junior/Senior High Honors Veterans

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ATWOOD (November 7) — West Carroll Junior/Senior High School hosted a Veterans Day program Thursday to honor the service of current and former military members.
Students and staff gathered in the gymnasium, then gave a long standing ovation as invited veterans entered and took their seats of honor.
Hailey Stout welcomed all, then Abby Sacks led the Pledge of Allegiance. The West Carroll High School band performed the National Anthem.
Tylor Freeman then approached the Fallen Soldier Table and explained its symbolism of the fallen or missing soldier: a small table, set for one, for the loneliness felt without them; a white table cloth, for the purity of their motives; a single red rose, for the life of the fallen and the loved ones who keep the faith; a red ribbon tied around the vase, for the determination to remember; a slice of lemon, for the bitter fate of those who will never return; a pinch of salt, for the tears of the families; the Bible, for strength through faith; a glass, inverted, because they cannot toast; an empty chair; and a candle, for the light of hope.

The special guests, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 995 of Jackson, then came forward. Chapter Captain Tom Turner explained the significance of the 13 folds as other members of the honor guard folded the flag. He then noted that the flag had been draped over the bodies of over 1.3 million soldiers and implored everyone to respect it. The honor guard then performed the “Soldier’s Cross,” a battlefield ceremony in which a fallen soldier’s rifle, boots, dog tags and helmet are displayed as a makeshift memorial.
The band, joined by junior high members, performed the Armed Forces Medley, and veterans were invited to stand during the song of their respective branches.
Antonio Williams then read the name and branch of each veteran present, 27 total.
The band then performed the musical arrangement “Lincoln at Gettysburg” as Edward Humphries recited the Gettysburg Address.
Veterans were then invited to a brunch in the library.