Ceremony at West celebrates selfless acts of our veterans

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On Wednesday, the gymnasium at West Iredell Middle School was filled with students, the West Iredell JROTC and Veterans of U.S. Wars from World War II through the conflicts of today, for a program that paid tribut to all Veterans.
West Iredell High School's ROTC Cadets filled a section of seats behind the podium during Wednesday's Veteran's Day Ceremony. Credit: Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark
There and back ... Lance Cpl. Harold Sexton, seated with Buddy and Sheila Hemrick, now a member of the Marine Corps Reserve attended the Wednesday morning ceremony that paid tribute to Veterans. Lance Cpl. Sexton is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Iraq. Credit: Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark
Credit: Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark
Once a Marine, always a Marine ... Buddy Hemrick salutes the colors during the Veteran's Ceremony at West Iredell High School on Wednesday morning. Credit: Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark
The Veterans from Brian Center, in Statesville, were easy to spot with their red, white and blue caps, sitting on the front row for the Wednesday morning program. Credit: Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark
Ross Moore (r), was a member of the Army Rangers during Operation Desert Storm and Julian Sisk went to Viet Nam as a member of the Army's Special Forces. Both were present and accounted for at Wednesday's ceremony. Credit: Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark
Iraq Veteran, Dale Beatty stood on prosthetic legs to speak at the ceremony honoring Iredell County Veterans at West Iredell High School on Wednesday morning. Beatty and his "Battle Buddie," John Gallina, both of Statesville, were hit by an IED while on patrol in Iraq. Credit: Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark
Ninety-two-year old, Sammie Kennedy was there with the Army Air Corps for D-Day in World War II. Kennedy was the oldest Veteran in attendence at the Veteran's Ceremony. He collected an American flag, for his honor, for the second year in a row. Credit: Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark

By: Donna Swicegood | Bruce Matlock/Statesville Record & Landmark
Published: November 11, 2010

It has been more than 60 years since Sammy Kennedy served his country, fighting as part of the 1st Armored Division of the U.S. Army during World War II.
Kennedy, 92, still takes pride in his contribution, wearing a hat bearing the name of his division and his designation as a World War II veteran.
On Wednesday, Kennedy and a couple dozen of his fellow veterans — ranging from other World War II vets to those who served in Iraq — were thanked for their service at a Veteran’s Day program at West Iredell High School.
Kennedy, for the second year in a row, was presented an American flag by West Iredell JRTOC command staff and cadets as the oldest veteran at the program.
Sue Ruffin, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserves, called the SPARS, was also presented an American flag as she was the oldest female veteran present.
During the program, each branch of the service was recognized when the West Iredell band played the song associated with each.
As the color guard brought in the American flag, several veterans, most many years removed from their days in the active military, stood and saluted. Others simply placed their hands over their hearts. Some wiped away tears.
Lt. Col. Eric Van Vliet, JRTOC instructor at West and a retired U.S. Army veteran, said that Kennedy and Ruffin and others of their era can take pride in the young people sitting in the bleachers at West Iredell. “These young people care,” he said.
Van Vliet said the program held Wednesday is cadet-driven. “The cadets do all the planning and put the program together,” he said.
Van Vliet said veterans share a bond like no other. He said veterans do not care about race, gender or faith. “What matters is there’s someone to your left and someone to your right,” he said. “The man who saved me in Bosnia wasn’t my color or my faith. I didn’t ask what faith you are, what color you are. It didn’t matter.”
Dale Beatty, an Iraqi war veteran and a double amputee, called the program an outstanding event, and one he was proud his alma mater is hosting. “We never had an event like this when I went to school here,” he said. Beatty graduated from West in 1996.
Beatty said those veterans who served when the draft was in effect deserve special praise. “I volunteered to go, but these people stood up and did what they thought was right.”
Ruffin said she considered joining the Navy, and she was encouraged to do so by her mother.
A few days later, two young women in uniform showed up and Ruffin signed on, discovering the women were with the Coast Guard. She served in Boston during her two years, eight months and 13 days in the service.
Like Kennedy, she’s proud of the title “veteran,” and she was thrilled the students at West paid tribute to her and others who served. “I think it was great,” she said.
Master Sgt. Ken Thompson, like Kennedy, Van Vliet and Ruffin, is proud to be called a veteran. He encouraged others to follow suit. “If you have that urge to serve, follow that urge,” he said.

Ceremony at West celebrates selfless acts of our veterans

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