Walters Public School Honors Veterans

On Nov. 11 at 9:00 a.m. in the High School Gymnasium the students and staff of Walters  Public Schools invited our area Veterans, parents, and community to attend a special “Veterans Day Celebration”.  

The program included Superintendent Jimmie Dedmon welcoming everyone; Drum Roll - Blue Devil Pride; Posting of the Colors by The Stephens County Honor Guard, The Pledge of Allegiance led by the Girl Scouts and “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by the WHS Varsity Choir. The Singing Sensations sang “A Grateful Nation” by Teresa Jennings, directed by Denise Tulloh.   A patriotic selection by the WHS Varsity Choir, directed by Charla Dedmon, finalized the choral presentation.  The Blue Devil Pride, directed by Ms. Lori Shiddell, played “The Armed Forces Salute”.  As the Blue Devil Pride played each of the military songs the veterans and those serving were asked to stand to their song.

The program included recognition of Veterans, a patriotic poem by Gerald Hayes and special speaker, Colonel William Banks introduced by Mr. Dedmon.

About Colonel William Banks:

Colonel William Banks graduated from Duncan High School and enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in May, 1980.   Upon receiving his commission through ROTC as a 2nd Lieutenant and graduating Oklahoma State University in 1984, Colonel Banks transition to Active Duty in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer.   After ten years of active duty service, COL Banks returned to the Army Reserve in 1995 in a full time role as an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) officer where he continued to serve for another sixteen years as an Inspector General, Brigade Executive Officer, and Chief of Staff, retiring in 2011 at the rank of Colonel.   His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (Third Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal, HumanitarianServiceMedal, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab.

Colonel William Banks speech:

Thank you for that introduce on Mr. Dedmon. It was my honor and privilege to serve our country in the United States Army for over 30 years. Today I’d like to talk to you a little about Veterans’ Day and where it came from.

On the 28th of July, 1914, Germany and the Axis Powers invaded Belgium and France which began the 1st World War. Four long years of the most destructive war of human history occurred. With the invention of the machine gun, poison gas, modern weapons, and the airplane, this war was like none that had come before. On the 11th of November, 1918, at 11 o’clock in the morning, a cease fire, or armistice, was signed, which ended the war. During the war, 40 million people were killed and large areas of Europe were destroyed. Today there are 4 million people who live in Oklahoma, so the total number of people killed in that was was 10 times our current State population. The War had been so horrific, that nations all the world thought it would be the last war to ever be fought because they had learned how terrible war could be. That is why it was called the War to End All Wars or The Great War, because surely there would never be another.

To commemorate the end of this, and hopefully the last, war, the 11th of November was celebrated as Armistice Day. Sadly, many other wars have taken place since that time. However, we continued to celebrate Armistice Day in the hopes of encouraging World Peace until June 1, 1954, when the holiday was renamed Veteran’s Day. The focus then shifted to honoring those who have served in the military.

Why is it important to honor those who have served? People who volunteer to serve in any branch of the military have pledged to give their lives, if necessary, to protect our county. I also personally believe that police, firefighters, and other first responders should be included in the celebration of Veterans’ Day, because they also put their lives at risk to help others and their communities. In the Holy Bible, in the Gospel of John, chapter 15, verse 13, Jesus tells us that “Greater love has no man than this - to lay down his life for his friend.” That is what makes Veteran’s Day special and gives us an opportunity to remember and honor those people who have taken an oath to serve and protect our country in the military and law enforcement. Today I have brought with me one of those veterans who served our country in WWII. Corporal James White served in the United States Marine Corps in WWII and fought in the battle of Okinawa. He embodies the ideals of courage, honor serve and sacrifice that represent all our veterans. Representing Law Enforcement and First Responders, my friend, and Retired FBI Special Agent Cris Lang, he is here today representing those public servants who keep us safe every day. Thank you Jim and Cris and all those who have served our country going back to the founding of our great nation. So every 11th of November, remember those who have, and still do, serve our country. Our freedoms are secured by their sacrifices, past present and future. Lastly, let us never forget those who never came home as represented by our POW and MIA Flag. Poem read by Gerald Hayes:

“Ragged Old Flag”

I walked through a county courthouse square On a park bench, an old man was sittin’ there. I said, “Your old court house is kinda run down, He said, “Naw, it’ll do for our little town”. I said, “Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit, And that’s a ragged old flag you got hangin’ on it”. He said, “Have a seat”, and I sat down, “Is this the first time you’ve been to our little town” I said, “I think it is” He said “I don’t like to brag, but we’re kinda proud of That Ragged Old Flag “You see, we got a little hole in that flag there, When Washington took it across the Delaware. and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it, writing “Say Can You See” It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson tugging at its seams. and It almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas flag, But she waved on though. She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville, And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill. There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg, And the south wind blew hard on That Ragged Old Flag “On Flanders Field in World War I, She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun, She turned blood red in World War II She hung limp, and low, a time or two, She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam. She waved from our ships upon the briny foam and now they’ve about quit wavin’ back here at home in her own good land here She’s been abused, She’s been burned, dishonored, denied an’ refused, And the government for which she stands Has been scandalized throughout out the land. And she’s getting thread bare, and she’s wearin’ thin, But she’s in good shape, for the shape she’s in. Cause she’s been through the fire before and i believe she can take a whole lot more. “So we raise her up every morning And we bring her down slow every night, We don’t let her touch the ground, And we fold her up right. On second thought I *do* like to brag Cause I’m mighty proud of That Ragged Old Flag” There was a reception following for Veterans and their families in the school cafeteria provided by Walters First Baptist Church. Thank you to all military that has served and is serving!!!