Stirring program honors veterans

Susie McCarroll

Heroes past and present were honored in a fitting tribute on Veterans Day 2009 at the Rector High School gymnasium.

The Rector student body was attentive and responded appropriately at the annual event, a behavior which received favorable comments at the conclusion of the program by RHS principal Wade Williams. "I am really proud of all of you," Williams told the students.

High school students were very involved in the program through patriotic essays, introductions and participation in various musical selections.

Bob Alberson

The featured speakers presented both sides of the perspective concerning veterans, one dealing with service as a Marine and the other as a soldier's wife.

Rector teacher Susie McCarroll told of the sacrifice by her husband, Johnny, a member of the National Guard who served in Iraq.

"PRICE" was the theme of her comments, as she asked students never to underestimate the sacrifice that comes through service to country.

"This is the price that comes with freedom," she said. "We live in a community that is comfortable," she said to the students. "We have a great school and we are having this program in a state-of-the-art facility."

McCarroll told the students they should never neglect saying thanks to veterans for helping provide the lifestyle they all enjoy. "I am asking you today, please don't take it for granted."

Her husband earned a Purple Heart in his service in Iraq.

"My husband is not the same," she said of his sacrifice. "Our family is not the same."

Guardsman McCarroll, as a result of his service and his experience, understands what others are going through, his wife said. As a result, he visits veterans hospitals once a month to show support for his fellow soldiers.

"Yes, freedom came with a price," McCarroll said to the students. "But no matter the cost, our veterans did it any way."

The other principal speaker was Bob Alberson, who joined the Marines at age 22.

Currently the football coach at Rector High School, Alberson said his military training "pushed me more than I thought possible...and I made friendships better than any I have ever had. There was a tremendous bond. There was an understanding that I might have to lay my life down for the guy on my right or on my left and he had the same understanding."

While in the Marines, he was in 31 different countries and every continent except Antarctica.

Alberson said he was stationed on a small island off the coast of Africa when he and his fellow Marines saw the airplanes on television flying into the World Trade Center on 9-11.

He said that, during subsequent combat following the terrorists attacks "a few of my friends paid the ultimate price."

Alberson said Veterans Day definitely is a "time to reflect on my fallen friends."

The coach's emotional comments drew a standing ovation from the students and members of the community attending the special ceremony.

Special patriotic music at the assembly was presented by the RHS Choir, under the direction of Judy Hargrave, and the RHS Band, under the direction of Craig Wadley.

Presentation of service awards was made by the students to National Guardsmen Joel Hayes and Sam Isom, who served in the Middle East, and Glendal Beckley, a combat veteran of World War II.

Poster/essay contest winners were announced and the names of Arkansas natives who died in combat during the last year were read. The colors were presented by National Guardsmen Kelly Baker and Rodney Dees.

The welcome was by Kirk Horton and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kristie Hardin. Student Sarah Vangilder presented the history of Veterans Day. Rev. Marston Carpenter gave the invocation and teacher Eldon Haynes closed the service with the benediction.