County Celebrates Veterans Day

Sometimes a simple thank you is not enough.

As Lt. Com. Marty Jarosz (Ret.) noted during the annual Veterans Day program at Port St. Joe High School, most of us say "thank you" a dozen or so times a day, at a convenience or grocery store, at a restaurant, for an act of kindness or consideration.

But when it comes to young people who sacrifice and serve, who too often lay down their lives for this country and for the freedoms we enjoy, "thank you doesn't seem enough," Jarosz said.

"We owe veterans a debt we can never pay. And true appreciation is expressed through deeds, not words. Not all veterans have seen war, but they have the bond of an oath that they are willing to die for their country."

That was the simple and eloquent opening to a daylong celebration of veterans on this 11th day of the 11th month, with events starting at the public schools and spreading to VFW posts across the county.

The day held particular significance and poignancy for the principal and children of Port St. Joe Middle School.

As Juanise Griffin, her voice halting at times, related, the school had adopted Lt. Col. Ty Edwards, a native of Blountstown currently battling back from critical injuries sustained in the Middle East.

Edwards is married to the former Anna Bietenholz, who Griffin taught in sixth-grade at Port St. Joe Elementary School, and the daughter of Anna Bietenholz, a former teacher in Port St. Joe now an educator in Bay County.

Through that connection, Griffin said her students had become something of a group pen pal for the Edwards' family, writing him frequently, praying for his recovery, keeping Edwards and others who have served in mind on a daily basis.

"We pray for those who are over there fighting for us right now, especially (Port St. Joe teacher and coach) Buck Watford," Griffin said.

Edwards received a Purple Heart personally from President George Bush on Monday.

"It is their sacrifice that enables us to enjoy the democracy we enjoy today," said Maj. Milton Addison, stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base and who served, along with his wife Capt. Yolonda Addison, as guest speakers at the high school.

The two, each a twin, teamed up for their presentation with an emphasis, Maj. Addison said, on team.

"Whether there are two of us, like right now, or 2,000, it is that team concept that will propel you to victory and to success," Maj. Addison said.

The teamwork that went into Tuesday's program was evident from the opening singing of the "National Anthem" to the closing of Jarosz singing "God Bless America."

Middle school students recited the preamble to the U.S. Constitution and high school students followed with the reading of the Gettysburg address.

Musical renderings of "Another Soldier Coming Home" and "God Bless America" by Mary Lou Cumbie and Ann Comforter, respectively, were moving and the high school chorus and guitar band explained in song and words what it means to be an American.

As with every year, though, eyes misted and the throats clutched with the ringing of the bell to remember each of the county's veterans who had lost their lives in war through the years.

And there seemed a special bond between students in the Student Government Association as they passed out honorific pins to each veteran, with plenty of hugs - and yes, a lot of thank you - to go around.

Wewahitchka Elementary School

Wewahitchka Elementary third-graders made their school and country proud on Tuesday, hosting a dynamic Veterans Day program on the Gator football field.

Decked out in red, white and blue T-shirts emblazoned with American flags, the students in Debbie Gerber, John Huft and Christine Shepard's classes performed before a packed crowd of veterans and community members.

The students sang a variety of patriotic songs, using props like pom-poms and streamers to punctuate the verses of "You're a Grand Old Flag," "God Bless the USA," "Stars and Stripes Forever" and other tunes.

Solo performances included an impressive recitation of the poem, "In Flanders Field" and remarks on the history of Veteran's Day.

Veterans of all military branches enjoyed VIP seating on the field and received decorative coins from the students.

Some big kids and adults also contributed to the festivities.

The Wewahitchka High School Gator Sound Band played patriotic songs, Rhonda Pridgeon, Beverly Pitts, Priscilla Pitts and Peggy House lent their pipes to "God Bless the USA" and the "Star Spangled Banner," and Betty Ann Owens of the DAR gave an interesting history of the U.S. Constitution.

Dressed in his uniform, Huft, a Master Sgt. in the Reserves, delivered the keynote address.

Thanking all servicemen for their "gift of freedom," Huft gave special mention to Wewahitchka High School graduate Michael Taylor, who recently earned the Purple Heart for a combat injury.

Ann Mann of the Wewahitchka Veterans of Foreign Wars post announced the continuation of the Pennies for Veterans Program, which raised $804 last year.

This year, elementary school students' pennies will benefit a Jacksonville career-training school for wounded soldiers.

Mann asked the students to save some of their Christmas money for the worthy cause.

A reception for veterans, faculty, speakers and performers followed the ceremony.