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NEVC honors veterans
The floors were shining and the walls were decorated in patriotic themes as the students and faculty welcomed veterans in a program in their honor Tuesday at the North-east Vernon County school campus in Schell City.
Chuck Naas, superintendent of schools, welcomed the group. The NEVC Honor Club presented the colors and led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The national anthem was sung by Shannon Gray.
Naas introduced the speaker, Roger Floyd.
Floyd served 22 years with the Army National Guard and one term in Iraq from January to December in 2005. He served with the CO A 735th MSB out of Nevada.
Floyd told that their mission in Iraq was to take over supply warehouses. His group was assigned to a unit with bullet holes in it and really run down. So they decided to make it functional and something to be proud of. When they finished, they wanted to fly the U.S. flag outside, but were told they could not because it would make the Iraqis think they were living in an occupied country and they weren't, we are there just to help. This didn't sit too well with most of the soldiers, but the commanding officer told them to fly the flag in their rooms, which they did.
"It was comforting to enter our room and see our flag. I learned a totally new respect for it," Floyd said.
Floyd had his wife send him six flags, and they flew them about a half hour or so -- at night. They felt this gave our flag the respect it deserved. They kept complaining and finally got to fly the U.S. flag outside. "Respect our flag. This flag is something men and women have died for."
Floyd met a young man named Isaac while in Iraq, who was about 20-years or so. They became acquainted, he trusted him, and Isaac always had stuff to sell them and they usually bought it. One day Floyd asked him if he was going to celebrate Ramadan and if he was Muslin. Isaac said he was and asked Floyd if he was. Floyd told him no that he was a Christian. It was like he had struck Isaac. He jumped back and said, "You no good -- not my friend." He couldn't be a friend because of their different religions.
Floyd looked at him and said, "Five minutes ago we were friends, why is it different now?" Isaac finally said, "OK -- you my friend."
"This taught me that if we all do our part and respect others, we can get along," Floyd said.
Floyd shared a story of a veteran who told that his company had taken a hill in Korea and it was time for them to move out and take another hill. This man was a machine gunner. The sergeant told him to stay along with three other gunners. First, one was shot, then the second and third. The gunner shot a machine gun as fast as he could at the enemy then threw a grenade into the ammo supply and got away. It took four days to find his unit. When he told the commanding officer what had happened, the officer said, "I'll have you court-martialed for destroying needed supplies."
"The Army gave me the Bronze Star instead, for extra bravery," the gunner related.
"Every veteran has a story whether peace or war," Floyd said. "They should be listened to and respected for their service."
Tim Tabor showed a video of ways to help support our veterans not only with saying thank you, but doing with actions. He provided a Web site to check this out: www.va.gov/vetsday The veterans present were recognized and stood to their battle song which was played by the music teacher, Jeannie Norwood. The elementary sang "We are United", Shannon Gray and Terri Scougal sang and read a poem, "A Veteran is a Person." They also led the audience in singing "God Bless the USA." The honor club retired the flag.
Naas thanked all for coming and invited the veterans and their family to a reception in their honor.
Kendal Ogburn, Linda Eckard and Susie Richardson were in charge of the program. Linda Eckard, Connie Gerster and Yolanda Conners served the beautiful cake and also red punch.