PSD honors vets

By John Miller, 11/11/22 10:25 AM

PRESCOTT – Area veterans were honored by the Prescott School District Friday, with a celebration held in the Prescott High School Auditorium.

This was followed by refreshments at the FCCLA building. Travion Dickens kicked things off by welcoming everyone, letting the audience know they were on hand to honor veterans, men and women who served with great distinction. He said these people can’t be thanked enough for what they’ve done.

The Prescott High Band was up next, playing the Star Spangle0d Banner, and was followed by students in the second and fourth grade choirs at Prescott Elementary School. The second graders sang “It’s a Grand Old Flag”, while the fourth graders performed “The Brave”.

Frank Henson, pastor  at First Baptist Church, was the featured speaker. He pointed out this country used to have a draft, which was replaced by a draft lottery. “That’s the only lottery I ever won,” he said. He asked the audience to think about the letters in the word country, breaking them down letter by letter. The C, he said, is to defend the Constitution, and veterans defend it. The O is for serving and defending our freedom and the freedom of others around the world. “I wonder how many people in America take their freedom for granted?” he pondered. The U is for united because veterans are united. When you serve, he said, you don’t see color, language or politics. The N is for never give up, never give out and never give in. The T stands for veterans not taking any glory. “All the veterans I know are proud to be Americans and serve their country.” The R is because veterans and those in the service are always ready at all times. The Y is for yearning as veterans have a yearning to give back to god and country. “It’s not about being divided or politics,” he said, “but how great this country is. I thank you for serving. Many couldn’t be here and I hope we can all get back to god and country and make this nation the way it ought to be.

The PHS band performed “Chester” a tune dating back to the American Revolution, “My Country Tis of Thee” and America the Beautiful.”

PHS Student Council President Lakyn Cryane thanked everyone for coming, reminding the crowd America must never forget the sacrifices veterans have made for this nation.