Local Veterans Honored At Ernest Ward Middle

November 8, 2007

ewmsvet00.jpgOver 40 local veterans were honored Thursday morning at the eleventh annual Veterans Ceremony at Ernest Ward Middle School.

“The lesson of the day is that freedom is not free,” EWMS history teacher Janna Dickey told the students. She said the program was dedicated to five area servicemen that have lost their lives during the past five years in Iraq:

  • Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan Spears, 21, of Molino, died Oct. 23, 2005. He was a 2002 Tate High School graduate.
  • Army Pfc. Kevin Ellenburg, 20, died Nov. 1, 2006. He was a 2004 Pace High School graduate.
  • Army Spc. Joseph Landry III, 23, died Sept. 18, 2007. Landry was a 2002 Pine Forest High School graduate.
  • Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Clay, 27, died Dec. 3, 2005. He was a 1996 graduate of Washington High School.
  • Army Sgt. Daniel McCall, 24, died Oct. 30, 2007. He was a 2001 graduate of Pace High School.

Upon reading the list, Dickey paused after reading the name of Sgt. Daniel McCall. “His funeral is today,” she said.

“The price that is being paid by these young people is very painful,” she said. “Especially since they are from this community.”

The students gave the veterans a long standing ovation. Many of the veterans were noticeably moved by the standing ovation, some fighting back tears.

“It was very touching,” said Mike Hanks, Veterans Service Officer for Escambia County, Alabama. “I really appreciate the school and effort they put into the service.” Hanks served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.

Click here for a photo gallery from the event.

Major James G. Ross, 51, was also honored at the service. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in late August in north Santa Rosa County. He was Northview’s Naval sciences and ROTC instructor at Northview since 2002. He was present at last year’s Ernest Ward Veterans Ceremony with the NHS Color Guard.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Education