School honors veterans

JOHNSONVILLE—The Veterans’ Day Program at Johnsonville Elementary School was a kin to a “two edged sword”, one might say, in that it honored one who had retired from the military Nov. 30, 2008 and one who will be entering the Army on Feb. 1, 2010.

Bruce Bennett, a Pamplico native, was the featured speaker whose talk was accompanied by a video presentation of scenes taken in the foreign lands where he served. He was most informative, giving the students the scenarios of children who don’t have classrooms, people who are living with almost nothing. “It makes you sad, but it also brightens your life to know that you are fighting to maintain our freedom in the United States and perhaps help some of the citizens in other countries have more freedom,” Bennett said.

Bennett retired after 37 years in the United States National Guard. He continues to work with the military as a civilian. He is manager of the National Guard Anti-terrorism Force Protection Agency.
The school also honored Whitney Davis, 23, who is an employee of District Five in the Special Services Program. Having been in the Army Reserves for three years, Davis will report for active duty at Fort Benning, Georgia on Feb. 1. A 2004 graduate of Johnsonville High School she trained in her work through the Special Services Program and receives special training once each month. She is one of four employees with eight students. Principal Dayne Newell Coker recognized Davis as being “one of our own”. The greatest complements came, however, from her co-workers who praised her for her ability to work with the students.

Her co-workers said they really hate to see Whitney go. She is so helpful with the students and they will do things for her that they won’t do for the other instructors; she just has a way of her own with them. The students love and respect her in every way and will cooperate and do things for her that they wont do for the other instructors.

The students lavished their love on her by presenting her with fresh long stemmed bouquets of red, white and blue carnations. Jean Dawkins of Jean’s Floral Shop had provided the students with silk carnations to wear during the ceremony.

The daughter of Veronica Gillard, Whitney plans to enjoy her students for the time she has left, knowing she will miss them when she reports for duty.

Also during the program winners in the special writing project on different aspects of Veterans’ Day, including such topics as “Why I Am Proud to Live in America” were recognized.
Emma White, Ansley Eaddy, Landon Hardee, Julia Daniels and Elijah Scott presented a special presentation of Armed Services Flags. Posting of The Colors was by the JHS ROTC Guard.

Several patriotic songs included “Thankful for the USA” by the student body, “You Are Our Heroes” by the Sparkle tones under the direction of Ms. Patti Kelly with Erin Altman as soloist. Mrs. Coker led the group in singing “God Bless America” before the playing of Taps by Tony Driggers

A large number of veterans attended the program including locals and others from Andrews and Pawleys Island and surrounding area. While most vets enjoyed telling of their extensive service, their personal experiences while in the military some had short terms of service. Ray Altman, a JHS grad, said he was drafted into the army where he served two years in Germany.

“I thought of making it a career”, he said, “but I got a good offer where I worked for the federal government until retirement in January 2001. After that, I worked for the government under contract for an additional ten years.” He is now fully retired and enjoys living at Pawleys Island. His mother, Elizabeth Altman and other family members still reside in Johnsonville and several nieces and nephews are students in District Five Schools.