Marine veteran Don Ford places his hand over his heart as the WMS Chorus sings the national anthem. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
The Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School gym was full of attentive FFA members ready to thank any veteran who entered with a boutonniere of red carnations.
The room might have looked like any other middle school gymnasium, but something special was about to happen: the annual Wilbanks Middle School Veterans Day program.
The program on Friday, November 8, began with a procession of veterans. Students carrying the veterans’ respective military branch flags led them into the gym as the Wilbanks Middle School (WMS) Band played. In patriotic fashion, members of the Habersham Central High School JROTC presented the Colors. WMS student, Noah Stephens, then led the school and veterans in the pledge of allegiance.
A beautifully sung “Star-Spangled Banner” echoed throughout the gym as the WMS Chorus honored the veterans with the national anthem. The crowd of veterans saluted the flag, some held a hand over their heart. The sheer weight of emotion in the room was deeply moving.
Principal Marybeth Thomas offered a welcome to guests, parents, and students, “but most of all, veterans.” She said, “Our students have worked so diligently to show you our great appreciation for […] what you have done for us.”
A brief speech on the significance of the 8th of November (a day when 48 Americans died in battle in 1965 in South Vietnam) preceded a video presentation on the importance of Veterans Day. As images of different men and women in the U.S. military were projected onto a screen, the WMS Chorus prepared to sing “America the Beautiful,” which was followed by a hauntingly beautiful rendition of “The 8th of November” by Bryson and Allison Highsmith.
The WMS members of the National FFA Organization presented a red, white, and blue wreath to the veterans. Immediately following, a group of three students read “Letter to a Solider,” in which they expressed their admiration and gratitude towards the veterans they stood before.
The WMS Band performed “March of the Armed Forces,” a medley of U.S. military service songs. As each branch’s song played, veterans were encouraged to stand and be recognized when they heard theirs.
South Habersham Middle School honors local veterans with flag-raising ceremony
Gene Huff, who served in Vietnam, said that this was the most moving part of the program for him. Huff has lived in Habersham for 22 years, and this isn’t his first time attending a WMS Veterans Day program. His grandson brought him two years ago, and this year, his granddaughter invited him.
A select few members of the WMS Chorus performed a candle-lit “Light in the Hallway,” written by Pentatonix, for the veterans. Vietnam veteran Larry Wills of Gainesville, Georgia says that the music—the chorus specifically– touched him. His wife, Brenda Wills, says that the student’s dedication “almost brings you to tears.”
Students Jenny Macias, Diego Gonzales, Gracen Thomas, and Lydia Koshuta read essays and poems regarding Veterans Day and their gratitude towards those who had served.
After a sobering, heartfelt program, the lights went off. Two voices filled the gym, singing “God Bless America,” in harmony. And then, panels of red, white and blue twinkling lights alit the gym. “They [Wilbanks Middle School] always have a good service. Always,” said Don Ford, originally of Hart County, Georgia, who served in the Marine Corps. This isn’t his first time attending, but he really enjoyed this year’s closing.
The lights moved across the gymnasium in the darkness and then clustered together to form the image of the American flag. The crowd burst into applause.
The unanimous opinion of the veterans in attendance? Brenda Wills said it best at the “Freedom is Sweet” reception after the event. “It was amazing, they did an excellent job.” Wills added, “It’s very, very well done.”
By: Hadley Cottingham | Now Habersham
