WARREN, Ark. – Veterans throughout Bradley County were honored last Thursday with a ceremony hosted by Warren High School JROTC a day ahead of Veterans Day.
By Tim Kessler
Saline River Chronicle Contributor
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT BELOW
The event was the first public occasion held in the new Warren Elementary School auditorium. Several veterans, JROTC cadets and school administration personnel attended the event, along with Warren Mayor Gregg Reep and community citizens.
Cadet Major Ariya Williams opened the event and JROTC members posted the colors. Cadet SSG. Emanuel Strong led the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem was presented. Cadet SSG. Ashton Ozment led a prayer.
Warren ABC students sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless The USA.”
1st Sgt. Ret. Chad Greenwood gave the welcome and gave thanks to the administrators and program participants.
Third-grade WES students made statements about Veterans Day and sang a patriotic song.
LTC. Ret. Ricky Miller, a 1977 WHS graduate, was the guest speaker. He noted the history of Veterans Day and commended Bradley County Veteran’s Museum for honoring county veterans of all wars.
Miller said military veterans established local businesses with the skills they learned and were a big part of the town’s history. He noted Korean War veterans were “the silent generation” and many Vietnam War veterans suffered from PTSD.
“Without these Vietnam veterans, I would not be standing before you today,” Miller said. He said JROTC has existed at WHS for 50 years and after serving in the chapter here, he decided to join the military, first reporting to basic training in Fort Dix, N.J. He later went on to Berlin, Germany, and came back to the U.S. to use the GI Bill to attend the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
He later received a master’s degree and served in Kuwait. He retired in 2013.
“Our most important asset is the trust of the American people,” he said.
Capt. Ret. Johnny Brown gave closing remarks, thanking the veterans for their service and encouraging students to consider careers in military service.
