The men and woman of the United States Military stood on watch so we could sleep soundly in our beds, a Brigadier General reminded students, veterans, and guests on Veterans Day at Laurens Academy.
Guest speaker for the annual ceremony was Brigadier General Richard A. Wholey, deputy commanding general, 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Command in Anderson. He spoke to the students about constantly being "the new kid" everywhere his family moved during his father's 24-year military career. He said such experiences build resilience - just as the military builds toughness and character.
School officials spoke about the importance of remembering and honoring veterans, and all the attending veterans received mementos that had been prayed over by the 5th grade chorus members. The school's combined choruses were featured in a program that included The Pledge of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle, Lord's Army, Grand Old Flag, America the Beautiful, This Land Is Your Land, and God Bless the USA.
Wholey, with his aide, also led 4 LA students through trying on military gear, including night-vision eyeware, and having a push-ups contest in gear and gas masks. He said it was very brave for the young people to volunteer for the activities, even as the standard military advice is "don't volunteer for anything".
Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds led The Pledge of Allegiance; and, after the ceremony, some Laurens Academy classes were able to interact with a Sheriff's Office K-9 officer. Located at 3515 Hwy 49, Laurens, Laurens Academy is a college prepatory school in a Christian environment, accredited by SACS and SCISA, featuring K4 - 12 instruction, after school programs, and athletics; established in 1994, it has a 15:1 student/teacher ratio and 100% college acceptance rate.
