I had a WONDERFUL morning sitting among some of our country's finest Veterans. Ashlyn's school has a Veteran's Day Program every year and this year I wanted to go and see it for myself. My Dad went last year and it really touched him. Mr. Headen (Assistant Principal) welcomed us and then we had the invocation. After that, Mr. Phillips, who is a teacher at the school and a Vietnam and Gulf War Veteran, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Glee Club sang the National Anthem. They had a guest speaker, who was retired U.S. Army and Alabama National Guard (Sergeant First Class), Mr. Carney.
He did a terrific job showing our kids how to respect the flag, the National Anthem and our Veterans! Mr. Carney involved the kids in his speech and let them have a voice. Ms. McDonald paid a tribute to the Armed Forces by showing pictures of the faculty's and student's family members who had served or was still serving our country and fought for our freedom.
My favorite part was when my Dad got to stand when he heard his song being played by the band. He knew immediately when the first notes started what he was listening to. I have to say at that very moment I couldn't have been prouder of my Dad!! I never knew or saw him as a soldier (only through pictures) and it is hard for me to wrap my head around the battles and the heartache that he had to go through and still be Army strong!
At the end the band played Taps and if you weren't in tears before you were now. I can say that when I turned around to look at Ashlyn (who had to sit in the bleachers, and not with us) I could see the tears and I was thankful that her heartstrings had been pulled today just like mine. I hope she realizes how proud she should be because she has two Grandfathers (Alvie & George) and one Great-Grandfather (Pa Croft) that fought for the freedoms that she has today.
You are a lucky girl, Ashlyn!!
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