HUDSON — At Hudson High School Wednesday morning, young and old stood side-by-side to honor America's armed forces on Veterans Day.
The school's packed auditorium was filled with U.S. veterans, current soldiers and patriotic students.
Steven Alford/The Lufkin Daily News |
Alfred Navarro, commander for the VFW Post 1836, of Lufkin, salutes the American flag during the annual Veterans Day celebration at Hudson High School Wednesday morning.
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Steven Alford/The Lufkin Daily News |
The Hudson High Lights Drill Team performs Wednesday morning at Hudson High School for its annual Veterans Day celebration.
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"Right now, all across America, people are coming together to celebrate the service and the sacrifice of our veterans," said Amy Cosby, of the Hudson High School student council. "We hope today's ceremonies will bring a smile your face and maybe a few tears as we remember all you've done for us."
The student-led celebration featured several speeches, songs and moments of recognition for those veterans gathered in the gym, who received many a standing ovation for their service to the country.
Christy Lipscomb, a vocalist who recently moved back to Hudson from Missouri, drummed up patriotic spirit from crowd while singing "God Bless the U.S.A."
"I was practicing this song in my bedroom last night and I couldn't help but stand up while I was singing it," Lipscomb told the crowd. "So if you feel the desire to stand up during this song, don't be afraid to show your support for our veterans."
Shortly after beginning the tune, the entire gymnasium crowd stood to their feet and joined her in singing the song's chorus, "And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free/And' I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me./And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today./'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land. God bless the U.S.A.!"
The Hudson HighLights Drill Team performed a choreographed dance routine to the song, "Stars and Stripes."
Later in the ceremony, Maggie Eubanks, an 8th grade English teacher at, introduced Jacob Tucker, whose recent essay was chosen to be read for the veterans.
Each year, the school hosts an essay writing contest called "Patriot Pens," and Tucker, a Boy Scout who hopes to join the military after school, took the top prize with his reflection on service titled, "When is the right time to honor our military heroes?"
"As citizens of the U.S. we don't have to go through the horrors that our soldiers experience, but we should still concern ourselves with their troubles," Tucker's winning essay stated. "We should give thanks each day for what they do to protect our freedoms. Every time you vote, every time you see a flag flying and every time you walk down the street, thank God for our soldiers."
One by one, the different branches of the armed forces were recognized and those veterans who have served or are currently serving stood to thunderous applause. The school also recognized the five Hudson seniors who have already committed to join the armed forces — four to the U.S. Marines and one to the U.S. Army.
Bill Jones, a veteran from Hudson who served in the armed forces from 1945-46, said each year the celebration grows in size and popularity.
"I'm proud of these kids today. I've never seen a group of kids that was so enthusiastic about our country and our veterans," Jones said.
"They really are wonderful for the things they've done. Each year it gets bigger and better. The first time I came there was only eight veterans, and today it was a full house."
