On Wednesday, November 11, students at Thomas County Upper
Elementary and Thomas County Middle School hosted special Veterans Day assemblies to recognize and celebrate veterans in our community. Numerous veterans were in attendance. During the programs, The Thomas County Sheriff's Department honored veterans with a Presentation of the Colors after the TCMS band played “American Spirit March”. After reciting the pledge, the attendees at the assembly were treated to a performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Our America” by the TCMS chorus. During the 5th and 6th grade assembly,Mike Fielding, a US Air Force Veteran,, was the guest speaker. He described the honor of serving his country during Desert Storm. The 7th and 8th grade assembly included a talk from Danny Nesmith, Vietnam Veteran. He described the feeling of being in Vietnam and wondering if he would ever “see the red clay of South Georgia again.” The band performed “In Honor of the Fallen” at the conclusion of both assemblies. Students at the school created a special Wall of Honor in the front lobby of the school to honor the veterans in their lives.
Mr. Gary McEntire, a U.S. Navy Veteran who is the grandfather of several Thomas County Schools students, attended the assembly for 5th and 6th grade students in his Naval attire. When asked about the importance of honoring veterans on this special day, he said, “If you don’t recognize veterans, you don’t fully understand the freedoms you have today. These are the people that fought and sometimes died to protect those freedoms that you have.”
TCMS principal Dr. Kathy Keown feels strongly about the importance of recognizing Veterans Day. In the days leading up to Veterans Day, all students completed activities in their social studies classes to help them understand the importance of this day in our country. Keown noted, “I’m thankful for the those who make a commitment to serve our country in the military, those who have the courage to defend our country regardless of the personal cost. These men and women consider it an honor to protect the United States. My youngest son served as an infantry soldier in the army during the Operation Iraqi Freedom War. As the mom of a veteran, I’m always very grateful for the recognition of our veterans and their families. At Thomas County Middle School, I want our students to know the significance of Veterans Day and to know the sacrifice our veterans have made to protect and defend freedom. I am proud that on Veterans Day our students and staff take the time to celebrate the service of all U.S. veterans.”
Please visit the Photo Galleries section of our webpage for photos from these events.