Gravette High School hosts Veterans Day program

Photo by Susan Holland Al Blair was guest speaker at the Gravette High School Veterans Day assembly Nov. 10 at the GHS performing arts center. Blair, a member of the John E. Tracy American Legion Post 25 at Gravette, told about his experiences as a radioman in the United States Navy and encouraged GHS students to consider joining the military as a career.

Photo by Susan Holland Al Blair was guest speaker at the Gravette High School Veterans Day assembly Nov. 10 at the GHS performing arts center. Blair, a member of the John E. Tracy American Legion Post 25 at Gravette, told about his experiences as a radioman in the United States Navy and encouraged GHS students to consider joining the military as a career.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

— Students at Gravette High School held a Veterans Day assembly in the performing arts center Friday, Nov. 10. Stormy Simpkins welcomed the guests and Sydney King, student council president, read President Donald Trump's proclamation of November as "Veterans Month." William Crawley and Rebecca Davis, members of Bloomfield 4-H Club, posted the colors.

Dustin Morris, Key Club president, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Gravette High School choir, under direction of Kris Schoeppey, sang the National Anthem and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Tiffany Wheeler, winner of a GHS patriotic writing contest promoted by history teacher Melinda Griffin, read her winning essay about "what freedom means to me."

Morris introduced guest speaker Al Blair. Blair, a member of John E. Tracy American Legion Post 25 at Gravette, spoke about his experiences as a radioman in the U.S. Navy and illustrated his talk with a few slides. He was wearing a RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) T-shirt and explained that he wore a red shirt almost every Friday as a way to honor veterans. Blair encouraged high school students to consider joining the military as a career, saying it teaches one discipline and leadership and enables one to see foreign countries they might not visit otherwise.

A video presentation of the Gravette High School band performing "Armed Forces on Parade," by Andrew Balent and a rendition of "Taps" concluded the program. Grayson Fordyce presided over the retirement of the colors. Jonathan Carnes, Key Club vice-president, thanked everyone who attended and thanked veterans for their service, both those who are retired and those who are currently serving.

A reception honoring veterans was held in the commons area following the program. Refreshments of cookies, cupcakes, coffee and soft drinks were served.

Community on 11/15/2017