The annual Veteran’s Day program hosted by the Cooper High School National Honor Society is always special event extended from the school district to the community.
The Mighty Maroon Band performed moving and emotional pieces including the National Anthem, Armed Forces Salute, Amazing Grace last Friday, Nov. 10. Performing TAPS was Gabriel Rowe and Mercedes Valdez.
Commemorative poem and art winners were artist freshman Hannah Foster and authors: freshman Summer Tuggle and eighth grader Kenzlee Randle.
We Pray
By Summer Tuggle
We pray to see the next sunrise.
We pray to be able to hug our child again.
We pray not to be wounded.
We pray to show our country what bravery is.
We pray to see our spouse again.
We pray not to hear another gun shot.
We pray to not see another dead.
We pray to see the sunset.
We Stand
By Kenzlee Randle
I know somebody will die tonight
Fighting for America with all their might.
For their families it’s hard to give them
away,
And when they don’t come back
They are filled with dismay.
And, still I will pray for these troops
Who had to go through many turns and
loops.
Throughout the day their bodies will ache,
Waiting to go home,
For a home cooked bake.
We thank these veterans in every way
Who have fought for our freedom day after day.
As red, white, and blue fly over the land,
They protect us
And for that, we stand.
American Legion Post 483 Commander Gary Thompson gave his testament to the “ultimate sacrifice” paying special homage to the prisoners of war with the display of an empty chair. He ended his speech with “God Bless U.S.A.” Each of the veterans was recognized before the crowd along with their years of service to our country.
The Cooper High School National Honor Society presented “Letters from Home” with sign language, and the Cooper Elementary students waved their red, white, and blue in sequence with America the Beautiful. The students also created a “Wall of Honor” with stars and names adorning the west wall.
Presenting new flags to each of the campuses was Shey Stegall, Regional Director with Modern Woodmen of America.
The Hopkins County Military Coalition of Sulphur Springs did the prelude and posting of the colors with great reverence.