Besty Lane, KY (November 9, 2007) -- On Friday, November 9, 2007 students and staff at Betsy Layne High School participated in a Veterans Day Ceremony that proved to be both educational and patriotic. MCJROTC Instructor Sergeant Major Glen T. Ripkoski and MCJROTC students took great pride in organizing the ceremony.

After the entire student body and staff assembled together in the gymnasium, the ceremony began. SgtMaj. Ripkoski opened the ceremony explaining the sequence of events. After the sequence of events and introduction was given, Ms. Jackie Dillion whom is head of the Social Studies department gave a lesson on the History of Veterans Day. Afterward, a five-minute movie presentation was given to further explain in depth, the National Holiday, Veterans Day.

In early October, Courtney Hamilton, freshman and MCJROTC student decided to share an idea with SgtMaj. Ripkoski. Hamilton’s family is affiliated with a Marine who is stationed in Iraq. Courtney asked SgtMaj. what he thought about having the MCJROTC students to write to the Marine in Iraq. As a result, 1st Sgt. Robert J. Mims of the United States Marine Corps, stationed in Iraq received more than 60 letters of appreciation in the month of October. SgtMaj. Ripkoski instructed the entire MCJROTC unit to express true letters of gratitude to the 1st Sgt. Mims.

After the movie presentation was given at the ceremony, father of 1st Sgt. Mims, proudly stepped forth with a very special presentation of his own. US Veteran Willie Mims presented the MCJROTC unit with a letter written by his son which expressed many thanks. There was also a unique and honorable gift included with the letter. Mr. Mims had presented the school with a United States Flag. The flag had been flown proudly over Iraqi soil. SgtMaj. Ripkoski received the flag on behalf of the Betsy Layne High school with much appreciation and Honor. The flag was given, along with a certificate that it had indeed been flown in Iraq.

Next, all the Veterans who were present at the ceremony were each given acknowledgement by name and branch of service. The list of the names of Veterans is as follows: 

Johnny Scott Johnson—U S Army            Willie Mims—USMC

Roy L. Kinnney—U S. Army                      Dwayne Hamilton—U S Army

Jimmie Dillion—U S Navy                         Orville Sword—U S Army

Bee Hall—U S Army                                 Melvin Hamilton Jr—U S Army

Benjamin Curry—U S Navy                      Elzie France—U S Army

George Kidd—U S Army                           Ellis Osborne—U S Army

Shulan J. Hurd—U S Army                        Jackie Conn—U S Army

Larry Roberts—U S Army                         George Clark—U S Army

The Veterans were acknowledged one by one, they were given a lengthy standing ovation and were highly honored for their services in the United States Armed Forces. The Veterans remained standing and a presentation of the U.S. Flag and the KY State Commonwealth Flag were carried out by selected MCJROTC student officers. The old cliché, “You could have heard a pin drop”, best described the setting in the Betsy Layne High School gymnasium as students Kayla Case and Ariel Hopkins as a duet delivered the Star Spangled Banner beautifully. After the singing of the National Anthem, Vice Principal Brent Rose concluded the ceremony by thanking each person that participated.

And then he dismissed all who were present.

According to SgtMaj. Ripkoski and faculty at Betsy Layne High School, “We always try to stress that one person can truly make a difference.” MCJROTC student Courtney Hamilton was regarded as that one person who made a difference when she followed her heart with the idea of sending the letter to 1st Sgt. Mims, USMC stationed in Iraq.

SgtMaj. Ripkoski said he is indeed proud of his MCJROTC students, that they did a wonderful job displaying leadership and loyalty. Veterans Day is a National Holiday and should be treated as such by every American heart.

Source:  John Kidd (Betsy Lane High School English Department)