It was a special day Sunday, December 10th, for VFW Post 1033 as they remembered Pearl Harbor Day and recognized some local educators with awards for outstanding performance.
Commander Shawn Wright welcomed the audience with a commemoration of National Pearl Habor Remembrance Day (December 7, 1941 – September 2, 1945). “For America, it is a day that stands as a symbol of our sacrifice, courage and the indomitable spirit of our great nation. President Roosevelt declared it as a “Day that will live in infamy”. The attack on Pearl Harbor was perhaps the darkest most costly and civilization-altering conflict in the history of human existence. World War II pitted institutional tyranny against champions of religious and civil liberty, and the value of individual human life. In the end, at an unimaginable cost. freedom prevailed. Today we are honoring and remembering those who paid the price to secure a victory for hope and virtue.
Pearl Harbor’s significance extends far beyond the pages of history books; it serves as a timeless reminder of America’s tenacity and enduring spirit. Even when staring fear, shock and adversity in the face, our nation did not falter. Instead. we stood united, we rebuilt and emerged a stronger more unified nation. It is important to remember that National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day represents not only a tragic event in our past but, more importantly, it is a symbol of hope, resilience and our unwavering patriotism.”
After the opening presentation commemorating Pearl Harbor, the program was turned over to Paul Linkenhoker, Post Chaplain and program director for the VFW Programs – Patriot’s Pen, Voice of Democracy and Teacher of the Year.
Established in 1947, our VOICE OF DEMOCRACY audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. VFW Post 1033 Voice of Democracy award winner for 2023 was Nathaniel McKinny from Alleghany High School. The theme this year focused on the greatest attributes of our democracy. Nathaniel focused on the principal of The Rule of Law”. The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines the rule of law as “the mechanism, process, institution, practice, or norm that supports the equality of all citizens before the law secures a nonarbitrary form of government, and more generally prevents the arbitrary use of power”.
Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects elementary, middle, and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program. This year’s recipients from the 2023 program of the Citizenship Educator of the Year are the first group of teachers from the newly consolidated Alleghany Highlands school system. VFW Post 1033 honored the following outstanding educators:
Christy Humphries – Alleghany High School – Christy was also the District 6 High School Educator of the Year.
Luke Bradley – Covington Middle School – Luke was also Post 1033 Educator of the Year and District 6 also chose Luke as the Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Brandy Moye – Mountain View Elementary School Grade 5
Amber Nown – Jeter-Watson Elementary School Grade 1
Victoria Hayslett – Sharon Elementary School Kindergarten
Sharon Shreve – Callaghan Elementary School Grade 3
Thank you to all the students and teachers who were nominated for the awards this year. Thank you also for what you do every day to protect the well-being of our youth while providing them with a quality education. VFW Post 1033 is proud of these winners and proud to be a part of this program.
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