On Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at a special morning assembly, students, staff, parents, faculty and some very special guests gathered to commemorate Veterans Day. Head Master Bill McGee enlightened students on the history of this day, first begun in 1918 to mark the Armistice between Germany and the Allied countries at the end of World War I. To bring it more current, Mr. McGee read a proclamation given by President Barack Obama on October 30, 2009 rededicating this day to our veterans past, present and even future. In the President’s words, “I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers.”
And Hill Country took this to heart as we honored service members past and present among our learning community. Some, like Coach Scott Horne, are known and recognized while some, like Captain Browning who joined us from Fort Hood, are new to our circle of friends. After the standing ovation, Mr. McGee read a poem entitled “Because of You, Unknown Soldier” to remind us of the soldiers who are faceless but not forgotten in our hearts and prayers. After collecting donations of more than $2,000 in food gift cards for the families of those killed or wounded at Fort Hood, we moved our service to the newly erected flagpole. Because of the generosity of two HCCSA families, the school has its first flagpole and two new electronic signs to share upcoming events.
On hand were the 6th grade safety patrol and two members of the drum corps. After a quick lesson in flag respect and etiquette, our safety patrol solemnly raised the flag for the first time at this location. After reaching its full height, it was slowly lowered to half staff in honor of our fallen soldiers at Fort Hood while the drum corps struck the cymbal, once for each life lost. This was followed first by a poem read by Coach Horne entitled “My Name is Glory” and then by singing led by Mrs. Holly Loveday of “God Bless America.” It was truly sweet to hear the acapella song rising from voices ranging from preschool children through honored veterans of World War II. In closing, Mr. Edward Baptiste, school chaplain, offered a prayer for the safety of all soldiers everywhere and a reminder of the blessing we have in living in a free country because of their sacrifices. May we continue to pray for our troops, their families, and the security of our country.
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