FSMS students, faculty honor American veterans
Fort Scott Middle school students took time out of their day to honor area veterans, who have helped to ensure the freedoms of all Americans.
On Monday afternoon, area veterans assembled at the school for a program that was designed to honor those who have made sacrifices in order that Americans can have the freedoms that they deserve.
Former Spc. 4th Class Ottis Allen, who was invited to the assembly as a guest speaker, told the students that Veterans Day was created to honor all veterans, living and deceased. Allen said that Americans should honor the veterans for the protection they provided for their freedoms.
"We should honor those who protected our freedoms. We have many freedoms," he said. "Freedom isn't free; it comes with a price," Allen said.
Allen served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965. He was stationed in Heilbronn, Germany with the 237th Combat Engineers. Also, he served with the U.S. Army Honor Guard in Bad Tolz, Germany, according to a statement provided by FSMS. Currently, Allen is involved in several community organizations, which include but are not limited to the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Also at the assembly, Michael Flater and Dakota Lamb from Boy Scout Troop 114 made the presentation of the colors, and student vocalist Lyle Brittain performed a rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner." The students, in addition to others present, recited the "Pledge of Allegiance" led by U.S. Army Retired Chief Warrant Officer William Stults.
FSMS band director James Fox directed his seventh and eighth grade band students in the "Freedom March," written by James Swearingen and "Apollo Fanfare," written by Robert W. Smith.
In order to make the school's students more aware of the different organizations which are created of veterans, FSMS principal Barbara Albright defined the different veteran-related programs located in Fort Scott and asked any of those organization's members to stand for recognition.
Concluding the program, local musician Steve Harry performed "Taps" for the audience.