Breckenridge Texan

BHS honors local veterans at annual Veterans Day ceremony

BHS honors local veterans at annual Veterans Day ceremony
November 15
10:30 2021

By Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

Local students and organizations gathered at the Breckenridge ISD Athletics and Fine Arts Facility on Thursday, Nov. 11, to honor local U.S. military veterans.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Les Strickland posts the Marine Corps flag during the Veterans Day ceremony at Breckenridge High School last Thursday. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/ Breckenridge Texan)

The ceremony opened with the Breckenridge High School band playing Chain Cotillion and a salute to the veterans from Girl Scout Troop 8356, Cub Scout Pack 81 and Boy Scout Troop 63. Veterans were then escorted in by members of the Breckenridge High School Student Council as Girl Scouts from Troop 8356 led by Kim Fuller, Cub Scouts from Pack 81 led by Matt Wunsch and Boy Scouts from Troop 63 led by Brian Kight lined up and saluted them.

The flags from the different branches of the military along with the POW/MIA flag were brought in to the gym and posted by veterans and VFW members, including VFW Honorary Member Rush Walker, veterans Lance Kitchens, Les Strickland, Eddie Renfro, Christopher Hancock, Jean Hayworth, Rodney Anderson and Anthony Kelly, and Brian Kight.

Special guests from the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Republic of Texas also participated in the opening ceremony.

Veterans and American Volunteer Reserve members Les Strickland and Eddie Renfro then posted the colors.

Following the introduction by Kim Walker, a retired BHS teacher and coach, BHS student Andrew Williamson gave the invocation and Abby Otts and Kelly Hutchinson led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge. Avery Rodgers sang the National Anthem.

BHS teacher Robert Burchett recognized the honored guests, followed by guest speaker BHS history teacher Calvin Best.

The Buckaroo Band played the official songs of the five branches of the U.S. Military — the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard — and the veterans stood during the song for their branch. Members of the BHS Student Council held a tribute to military symbolism narrated by Kim Walker.

The First Baptist Church Praise Team, led by Daniel Bertrand, performed “Earth to God,” and Walker read “The Table” while students set the “Missing Man Table,” also known as the “Fallen Comrade Table.”

That was followed by a presentation of the Flags of America with members of the BHS band and athletes marching in with different versions of American flags used over the years as the Johnny Cash tune “Ragged Old Flag” played.

Jack Morehart and his grandson, Jake Malcuit, along Scout Leader Brian Kight, presented a flag ceremony.

Breckenridge High School teacher, coach and Coast Guard veteran Anthony Kelly sang “God Bless the USA.” Strickland and Renfro then retired the colors, and Burchett offered the closing remarks. Peyton Russell and Jeremy Weaver played Echo Taps.

After the ceremony, the veterans and student council members gathered for a reception in the foyer of the gym, where Breckenridge High School graduate Ricky Stober displayed items from his military museum for attendees to look at.

Click here to see more photos from the Veterans Day celebration in the Breckenridge Texan Gallery.

U.S. Navy veteran Don Smith is escorted into the Veterans Day ceremony by members of the Breckenridge High School Student Council. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts lined up and saluted the veterans as they were escorted into the Veterans Day ceremony by members of the BHS Student Council. (Photo by Nathalie Wilhite)

Breckenridge High School band members and athletes presented the Flags of America during the Veterans Day celebration, marching in with different versions of American flags used over the years, as the Johnny Cash tune “Ragged Old Flag” played. (Photo by Nathalie Wilhite)

Cutline, top photo: Local veterans were recognized at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Breckenridge High School on Thursday, Nov. 11. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

 


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