With Thanks to Those Who Served
In “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 the armistice took effect, thus ceasing hostilities on the Western Front between the Allies of World War One and Germany (the First World War officially came to an end on June 28, 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed). Originally called Armistice Day, November 11 was a day to remember and honor the fallen allied soldiers of World War One. In 1938 the United States government signed an act making November 11 a Federal holiday, “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’” On June 1, 1954 – in recognition of the U.S. military’s involvement in the Second World War and Korean War - President Eisenhower amended “Armistice Day” into “Veterans Day” to remember and honor American veterans of all wars.
On the crisp, sunny morning of November 7, 2014, Ocracoke School welcomed and honored the island’s veterans. Principal Walt Padgett, an Army Veteran, started an annual school and community Veterans Day ceremony several years ago to, “honor the service of local veterans.” The ceremony, which is student driven, is held because Mr. Padgett wants the students to, “understand how important our veterans are.” He continued by speaking of a first grader who, when asked what a veteran is, said, “Someone who keeps us free.”
Chairs for the honored guests were arranged in a semi-circle around the flag pole, and Ocracoke Boy Scout Troop 290 – with Troop Leader Jason Wells – stood, in full uniform, to greet the veterans. Thomas Midgett, Reginald O’Neal Sr, Jim Borland, David Frum, and John Manning – all of whom served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War – were seated with fellow veterans Dan Robinson, his son Scotty Robinson, Ernest Doshier, William Brelig, Ronnie O’Neal, Peter Stone (also a Vietnam Veteran), and Vince O’Neal, who all served in the United States Coast Guard. Ocracoke School senior and local musician Samantha Styron exquisitely sang the National Anthem as some members of Troop 290 raised the United States flag. Senior Katie O’Neal gave the opening presentation:
I would like to thank you all for being here today. We cannot thank you enough for everything you’ve done. This is a time where we honor your service and recognize you for your devotion, courage, hard work, and dedication towards this country. Your sacrifices have set examples that we all look up to in the highest respect and strive to follow. We are commemorating both the dead and the living, the men and women who are a testimony to their loyalty to our country. As we honor the living today, we must remember the ones who died serving our country, the ones who lost the chance to be husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and grandparents. Saying thank you is just a small way to show gratitude- so here’s a tribute to you all who have given so much and made the place we live in today a safe, memorable, and respectable country.
After Katie completed her heartfelt welcome, Samantha sang “America the Beautiful” to a silent and moved audience. Senior Lucy O’Neal then presented the closing remarks:
We celebrate this Veterans Day for a very few minutes, a few seconds of silence and then we go on with our lives. But I think it is most appropriate that we recognize and thank the men and women that never stopped fighting for us, sacrificing for us, and those who gave their last dying breath for us. It is up to us now to honor those still with us and the survivors of those who have passed.
At this time I would like to observe a moment of silence as a tribute to those lives that were cut short.
After a few moments the sounding of “Taps” was heard, performed by musician and retired Ocracoke School science teacher Howard Bennink. The veterans, students, faculty, staff, and residents in attendance stood solemnly in appreciation for the members of our military who have served, still serve, and who perished protecting the United States.
Lucy gracefully continued the ceremony, stating:
On behalf of the administration, faculty, staff, and students of Ocracoke School – Thank you, thank you for your service, dedication, loyalty, and unselfishness to serve our great country.
May God bless all of you and keep current enlisted personnel safe.
In the minutes following, Ms. Alice Burruss’s first grade class presented the veterans with Ocracoke School hats as a token of appreciation. Having made plaques, the Vocational Education class presented one to each veteran, and then Samantha, Katie, and Lucy led the entire student body in a processional to meet the veterans.
Note: If I failed to include the name of a local veteran in this, please email me at crystalcurrentlee@yahoo.com so the omission can be corrected.
