Tearful Service Honors Veterans; EWMS To Sponsor Honor Flight

November 8, 2008

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A tearful principal stood before her students Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School and announced that the school is about to undertake a project to honor veterans like never before.

“These tears are tears of joy. They are tears of sadness,” Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry told the students and guests at the school’s annual Veterans Day program. “I am proud to say Ernest Ward will be sponsoring an Honor Flight for one veteran from our community.”

The Emerald Coast Honor Flight program takes a plane load of veterans to Washington on a one day tip to visit the Vietnam Memorial, the World War II Memorial and other significant locations. In order to make the honor flight possible, the school must raise $1,000.

About 100 local veterans were honored during Friday’s veterans program. From all branches of service, the men and women received accolades from the students, including several standing ovations.

Tim Spears from Molino stood solemnly among the veterans as Perry recognized him. Many were visibly moved as Perry explained that he was there in memory of his son, Jonathon Ross “J.R.” Spears, 21, who was killed October 23, 2005 in Ramadi, Iraq.

“We thank you so much for everything you have done,” Perry told the veterans.

Students from Ernest Ward’s newly formed drama club presented a powerful play written by teacher Katie Ward called Iwo Jima. Students stood posed to recreate the famous photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. One by one, the soldiers in the photo came to life to tell their personal story.

Colonel Val Obregon, retired from the United States Air Force, told the students that “this land is you land; this land is my land”, a line borrowed from the folk song. He said that people should never forget to honor those that serve in the military.

“The day we start to not honor those folks is the day we start to decline as a nation,” he said. “Veterans have stood in the gap, but our future depends on you.”

“Freedom is not free; it is not cheap,” Obregon said. “It takes Americans everywhere willing to pay the price.”

The veterans program, sponsored by the National Junior Honor Society, featured students relating the history of Veterans Day, music from the EWMS chorus and band, and more.

If you would like to assist Ernest Ward in funding a veteran on an Honor Flight, call the school at 327-4283.

For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the program, click here.

Pictured above: Ernest Ward students Dezarae Turner, Chelsea Ward, Ashlynn Webster, Shalmali Bhadkamkar, Anna Donald and Lily Townson recreate the photography Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during a Veterans Day program at the school. Pictured below: Mike Hanks was one of about 100 veterans honored during the program. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.

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Comments

2 Responses to “Tearful Service Honors Veterans; EWMS To Sponsor Honor Flight”

  1. Betty on November 12th, 2008 9:10 am

    I feel very honored to have been able to attend this program. The speakers, veterans, students in the play, the teachers and everyone else that made this program possible did an outstanding job.

  2. Mary Ann Spence on November 9th, 2008 12:41 pm

    I am so proud of our students. They performed a great program that had many in the audience in tears. To the teachers who sponsered these students, you did a tremendous job. Thank you. To our guest speaker and all the veterans, we love you and thank you for giving us our freedom.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News