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School shows appreciation to veterans during celebration

Times-Tribune - 11/12/2019

Nov. 12--WHITLEY COUNTY -- On Monday, Whitey County High School students were able to show veterans their efforts to secure the freedoms and prosperity of America were not in vain as they welcomed all veterans into the school system's fifth annual Veterans Day Celebration.

The day started off at 8:15 a.m. with a free breakfast for veterans and their spouses. The meal was put together by the school's Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club. The group provided an array of hot items, anywhere from biscuits and gravy to pumpkin streusel muffins. FCCLA students both cooked and served the items for the event.

The breakfast gave veterans time to sit down and have a hot meal, along with some good conversations. Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) students took advantage of the opportunity and found mentors in the veterans they spoke to.

"The kids can see and talk to the vets, so it's a living history lesson," said Retired Sergeant Major Donald Gross who helps lead the JROTC group and was a main organizer in the event.

The breakfast also was a chance for veterans to talk to one another, make new friends and to catch up with the old. In fact, veteran Gerland M. Welson said this was not his first time at the event and enjoys participating each year because of the camaraderie.

The day doesn't end once the breakfast is over. Around 9:45 a.m., students begin to file into the gym to give the veterans a large "Whitley County welcome." This year happened to be the largest welcome yet because it was the first time that the school brought all of the Whitley County Middle School students to the high school for the event as well.

As the day began, Gross welcomed the students and attendees by explaining the importance of our veterans and by encouraging students to stand up and clap as each represented branch walked in.

Once the veterans were seated, Director of the Whitley County Choir Chad Wetherill saluted our country by leading his choir in a performance of the national anthem.

Rev. Virgil Ball then gave a word of prayer and was awarded a JROTC Certificate of Appreciation for his service for the nation and the community.

Guest speaker Andrew Fuson then took the stage. Fuson, former Industry Squad Leader for the Marine Corps, is a Whitley County High School graduate and wanted to honor both students and veterans with his speech.

He touched on what it means to be a "hard-working American with a do-or-die attitude, to never give up, to pursue your goals no matter how large, and to never accept mediocrity."

Fuson believes that his speech would be beneficial to the veterans in attendance because it proves to them that people are still encouraging the younger generations to have the values they fought with.

"When the dust settles and time passes, it's really nice to look at the big picture: what you did, why you did it," he said. He believed being in that environment with the students would help them do that.

Fuson was also awarded a JROTC Certificate of Appreciation for his service and devotion.

This year, one faithful attendant of the celebration, Gillis Clawson, was not there. Clawson was a World War II veteran and had attended all of Whitley County's celebrations. Last year, Clawson attended in November and passed away the next month at the age of 95. An empty wheelchair honored his place throughout the event this year.

The Whitley County art department works on a mural to present to the veterans each year. The murals are a result of a months-long work by the art department and display various military aspects. This year, they honored Clawson by featuring him in the artwork.

Clawson's wife, Irene Clawson, was also honored by receiving the last JROTC Certificate of Appreciation for her dedication to her husband and for the hardships she endured as a military wife.

Derrick Lowrie, a veteran and teacher said that "It's nice for these guys to get the attention and recognition that they deserve, I know from teaching history that that's not always been the case."

He said he is happy the attitude has shifted and said that "it's nice to know that the four years I served in the Navy was not only beneficial to me but that the people in the community appreciate the time that's sacrificed."

Those who put on the event are passionate about making sure these individuals do feel that appreciation.

"We've planned since October, we want everything to be perfect and spot-on," said one of the JROTC student leaders, Brandon Coffey. He stressed the importance of making them feel celebrated and at home.

The event is made possible by multiple groups within the school, outside of the ones already mentioned in this article. The Whitley County Drama department, headed by David Sweet, helped ensure that the sound equipment was ready for the day. The Acts of Random Kindness Club also decorated the tables for breakfast.

Principal of Whitley County High School Bob Lawson is proud of the work of the students and staff who put the Veterans Day Celebration in order. "It's something that's really in the root of Colonel pride in terms of being respectful and appreciating those who serve," he said.

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