Col. Alan Tomson, U.S. Army, retired, serves as guest speaker for the Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School Veterans Day Program Tuesday at the school. More than 100 Veterans and their families attended the ceremony.
By Beth Christian
Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
HAMBLETON – All gave some, and some gave all is a phrase used to describe our Veterans, and Tuesday at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School, students gave their all to thank those who fought for the freedoms everyone in the U.S. enjoys.
Students in Mrs. Michael, Mrs. Hardy and Mrs. Smith’s kindergarten classes shared ‘My Flag,’ before Principal Teresa Brusak and student Mary Beth Carr offered a welcome to students, staff, guests and the more than 100 Veterans and their families in attendance.
Members of the Tucker County Veterans presented the colors and Riley Rohrbaugh led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Averie Bunnell and Emma Wamsley sand the Star Spangled Banner before the TVEMS Choir, under the direction of Heather Lantz, performed America the Beautiful and Amazing Grace. The TVEMS Band, under the direction of Rob Masten, offered some patriotic music selections.
Col. Alan Tomson, U.S. Army, retired served as guest speaker for the event. Tomson engaged the TVEMS student body while asking questions about what they knew about the military. Tomson graduated from West Point, and at one time was the 25th fastest swimmer in the world. He worked with spies at the Pentagon, traveled to all 50 states, more than 40 countries; he was a member of the super-secret Delta Force.
“How do you get to be a Veteran?” Tomson asked the students. “What are the parts of the military we have?”
Students’ hands raced up to answer Tomson’s questions.
Tomson asked students to explain what the police and fire fighters do. “Police protect our cities and towns – fire fighters keep our homes safe – and the military protects our country.”
“The military fights wars and protects our country by being strong so folks do not pick on us,” Tomson said. “We keep our military strong and if someone does attack us, the military goes to war. All of the Veterans here today were ready to do that or did do that.”
Tomson said those wanting to go into the military, they could be a soldier, sailor or airman. “Those are the people that do all the work. You could be sergeant, chief or petty officer – those are the people that make sure the soldiers, sailors and airmen do the work. You could be an officer – they do planning and look good.”
Tomson said there are many different jobs in the military. He told the students to join the military they would need to join when they finish high school. “That’s an important part. You have to finish high school when you want to go into the military. Work hard, study and do well.”
Each Veteran stood, told his or her name, the branch of the military they served in and when they served before students presented each with a lapel pin in thanks for their service. Veterans and their guests were then treated to lunch in the cafeteria.