Middle School honors veterans with program, other schools plan events

COVID-19 concerns limited traditional Veterans Day programs but county schools did plan drive-through ceremonies and at least one school, New Albany Middle School, did have a socially-distanced in-person program.

The guest speaker was former Naval aviator and Operation Desert Storm veteran Frank Dodds, who talked about his experiences as a jet pilot and the value of a strong military to the country.

Veterans who were present were asked to stand and be recognized by the branch of the military they served in. The New Albany High School Junior ROTC performed the US flag-folding ceremony with narration about the meaning of each fold and Annsley Coleman explained the symbolism of the Prisoner of War-Missing in Action table.

Landry Kent talked about Veterans Day, the school advanced singers performed the National Anthem, a group of sixth- through eighth-graders recited a veterans poem and a special trio sang “My County ‘Tis of Thee.” Principal Paul Henry welcomed everyone and moderated the program.

The advanced singers included John Stafford Smith, Victoria Rutherford, Ashley Vazquez, Ella Porter, Jarnya Lipford, Ariaunna Ball, Riley Blackard, Shay Jones, Rhianna Lipford, Clara Scales, Gabby Starks, LeAisha Williams, Zion Woods, Ezekiel Houston, Donald Starks, Owen Clayton, Shanndon Bramlett and Luke Henry.

The poetry group included Grayson Alexander, Ivy Fields, Christian Fonseca, Nick Little, DJ Robinson, Madison Rodgers and Nelzon Sanchez.

The special trio comprised Desrae Finley, Gabby Starks and Alissa Dykes.

The American Legion Auxiliary will have a Veterans Luminary Trail program from 6 to 8 p.m. this Saturday along Tallahatchie Trails, the road that leads to the tennis and soccer complex.

Below are some photos of the event: