Honoring those who dedicate their lives to protecting American freedom took center stage at Thomas County Central High School Wednesday as the school rededicated its Freedom Shrine in honor of Veterans Day.

The shrine, housed in the school’s E Hall and spread along one of its hallway walls, was donated by the Thomasville Exchange Club. Items included are mounted copies of some of the most influential documents in American history.

“The documents on this wall aren’t just pieces of paper,” TCCHS Principal Trista Jones said. “They mark great turning points of our nation. Having them here in the school, available for all students and citizens to see firsthand, connects our past with our present, guaranteeing our strong future.”

The ceremony featured the shrine’s history and speakers who conveyed the importance of honoring the nation’s past and those who have put their lives on the line for American freedom. Members from each branch of armed forces, as well as representatives from Thomasville Exchange Club and Thomas County Schools, were invited.

Principal Emeritus Bob Parrish was the guest speaker and TCCHS teacher Sam Pickett led the wall rededication.

“I thought the ceremony was very well done and eloquently spoken,” student Erin Pearson said. “It truly encompassed the value we as Americans put in our veterans. Veterans have made it possible to live the American lifestyle we have the pleasure of experiencing every day. And for that we should be extremely grateful.”

Each year the school holds a commemorative event, and TCCHS chose to rededicate the shrine this year.

“It was donated when our school was built and was displayed in our cafeteria,” Jones said. “It was removed during the remodeling of the cafeteria and construction of the new Media Center.”

Jones said TCCHS Assistant Principal Dr. Jim Rehberg “spearheaded the effort to refinish the plaques and to have them displayed” again.

“It took a lot of time and effort on his part to make this happen,” she said. “He also coordinated the rededication efforts.”

Guest speaker Bob Parrish said the shrines are “absolutely wonderful” and called them “a marvelous teaching tool.” He shared some history of the original shrine and information about a few of its historical documents.

The Exchange Club Freedom Shrine, according to the website www.freedomshrine.com, is a collection of 32 historic documents ranging in dates of origin from the 1600s to the 1900s. It originated from the Freedom Train, which toured the nation in 1947 and carried an exhibit of some of the nation’s most treasured “documents of liberty” to the American public.

Some items in the Freedom Shrine include: The Mayflower Compact, The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, The Bill of Rights, The Star Spangled Banner, The Emancipation Proclamation, The Gettysburg Address, The Thirteenth Amendment, The Nineteenth Amendment, German Instrument of Surrender WWII, and memorable speeches by several American presidents.

“These are very important documents,” Parrish said. “All of them have to do with our country’s history and also they all show, to me, the importance of our military. Today is Veterans Day. It means a lot to most of us and should mean a lot to most Americans.”

He also passed out copies of “The American’s Creed” by William Tyler Page and had the group recite it.

History teacher Sam Pickett shared the personal experience of being called to the office in fifth grade to be told his brother had given his life while serving his country in Vietnam. He also shared a quote about freedom by writer William Faulkner.

“I want to thank you for being here to remember and honor the brave men and women who have fought to protect the freedom we hold dear,” Pickett said. “For all those brave individuals, we dedicate this monument to them and their honored sacrifice.”

Thomasville Exchange Club President Jimmy Dukes was proud to attend the ceremony and see the TCCHS shrine rededicated.

“We’ve always enjoyed the Freedom Shrine,” he said. “It’s something the National Exchange Club promotes. We try to dedicate or put one up every year and is something we really enjoy being a part of.”

Jones said it is important to honor the nation’s veterans with ceremonies and shrines like the ones at TCCHS.

“We continue to study these documents in history classes, our literature classes, our law and debate classes,” she said. “We include cursive in our instruction so each generation may read the writings of our Founders. Our Advanced Placement students need only travel to the next building to see actual documents that shaped history. That is why this wall is important.”

The ceremony was recorded by the TCCHS Broadcasting department and a link will be provided for teachers/students unable to attend to watch the service.

Students who experienced the ceremony as it happened were impacted by it. Reshad Daniels thought the ceremony was well-organized, and said he gained perspective on the day.

“It opened up my perspective toward veterans and how we as Americans are truly blessed,” he said.

Daniels said it is important to remember Veterans Day because of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to ensuring American freedom.