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Anderson middle schoolers plant memories with flag ceremony
Photo by Pearce Adams
Students at Lakeside Middle School in Anderson place more than 1,000 American flags outside their school Tuesday to honor Veteran's Day.
Photo by Pearce Adams
Marine veteran and Anderson resident James Osborn (red coat) waits his turn Tuesday to place an American flag outside Lakeside Middle School during a Veteran's Day ceremony.
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ANDERSON COUNTY — A Marine veteran, who lost his memory of combat in Vietnam after brain surgery, said he would never forget the sight of more than a thousand American flags during a Veteran's Day ceremony.
About 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, more than a 1,000 Lakeside Middle School students walked from their school, and one-by-one pushed miniature American flags into the soil.
James Osborn, serving 6 years with the Marines in the 1960s, walked with other veterans after students had created multiple rows of flags.
After placing a flag, Osborn, wearing a red Marine Corps jacket, had his Veteran's Day gift.
“Pride of the United States,” said Osborn, who snapped to attention when students ran a flag up the school's flagpole, listened as the school band played the National Anthem, remained solemn as a student played TAPS and joined students in a mass Pledge of Allegiance.
It was a sight missed by Mike Brown, an Army veteran and flight engineer on a Chinook helicopter during 14 months of service in Afghanistan that ended in April 2005.
Called away before the ceremony began, Brown watched as hundreds of students planted their flags, and he paused while leaving to offer thanks for the school's effort.
“It gives me pride that people recognize the troops,” he said.
Osborn was waiting nearby for the ceremony to begin. He said a non-military medical problem “wiped out a lot of stuff” after his surgery.
But standing outside the middle school Tuesday morning “put a lot of good feelings in my head with people recognizing the troops.”
Don Saxon, principal of Lakeside from 1991 to 2000, said Tuesday marked the 15th year that students paused to honor veterans.
“More than a 1,000 flags were placed by each student and guests,” he said.
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Mayor Terence Roberts, County Councilman Bill McAbee, & Former Principal Don Saxon were all present to help Lakeside honor the many Veterans at this beautiful ceremony.
Former Principal Don Saxon is also a wounded in action Marine Veteran and is the founder of this program at Lakeside Middle School in 1994. The program was presented by the Lakeside Chorus, Lakeside Band, Lakeside Flag bearers, Lakeside Faculty & Staff, and Lakeside students.
WWII Veteran & POW Earl Martin was the Guest of Honor and shared with the students and guests about his service and time in a Prisoner of War Camp in Germany. The full video of his account of his heroic service is available to be viewed at the Lakeside Middle School Library. If you want to see it you probably will have to have an appointment so call first.
During this time of historical significance with Barak Obama being elected President it was especially significant that these middle schoolers celebrated the veterans of this great country with Mayor Terrence Roberts, Councilman Bill McAbee, Principal & Veteran Don Saxon, Veteran Katina Wightman, and POW WWII Veteran Earl Martin.
I am proud that in this county we can have a gathering this large to honor all those who are serving and have served in our Military. God Bless America and thank you to all our veterans.
I have been privileged to be a part of this demonstration of thankfulness and respect at Lakeside for most of those 15 years. I am always filled with pride for our country and our citizens for their willingness to show their greatfulness for the sacrifices made by our servicemen. I'm particularly glad to see this sentiment being taught to our young people, many of whom are sacrificing family members, themselves. They need to know they are appreciated, also.
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