On Wednesday, November 11, Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy in Elizabethtown held a moving ceremony in honor of all who have served in the United States military. Through the wind and the rain, the cadets showed respect and pride with their formal history performance.
Cadet Sergeant First Class, Breanna Turnage, narrated a 21-page script with professionalism. The cadets highlighted each branch of the US military; they reminded all in attendance of wars fought, lives lost and the sacrifice of the people who serve in the military.
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Read the full presentation below:
2020 Veterans Day Narrative
Narrator:
GOOD Morning, CADETS. ALUMNI, DISTINGUISHED VETERANS, HONORED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN watching on the world wide web. ON BEHALF OF our Superintendent Keisha White her husband SFC Chris White, the staff, faculty, Board of Trustees and the ENTIRE 8h CORPS OF CADETS IT IS A DISTINCT HONOR TO WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO TODAY’S Veterans Day CEREMONY. My name is C/SFC Breanna Turnage. I am from Hope Mills, NC. I will be your narrator for today’s ceremony. At this time we will have the presentation of the colors.
(National Anthem is completed and the colors have marched off)
Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen. We as an Academy are appreciative of the support we receive from our community. This ceremony today is not the same without you being here. We especially miss the members of the American Legion Post 404. Thank you for believing in us and our mission.
To members of the Bladen County Commissioners, we appreciate your support.
To the members of the Elizabethtown Town Council, we look forward to the day that we can have you here with us. We also look forward to the day that we can return to meetings to post the colors.
Narrator:
As everyone knows, we are in the midst of a Global Pandemic. During this crisis that has changed the world our brave men and women in uniform have helped to lead the fight against this dangerous disease. They have helped to man food banks, they were on the hospital ships Comfort and Hope which helped New York and California fight the virus, they have helped with testing, they have helped erect field hospitals and soon they will help with the distribution of the vaccine that will help us return to normal. It is veterans day and we celebrate the men and women who have served this country in war and peace time. This ceremony HONORs OUR NATION’S VETERANS AND EACH OF OUR RESPECTIVE ARMED FORCES. Today we take time…. as we should every year….. To remember the great men and women who gave blood,… sweat,…. and tears; those soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who put their lives on the line and the fate of our freedom on their shoulders. These were the people who went from:
– Civilians to fighting men and women,
– From fighting men and women to heroes,
– From heroes to legends.
This they all did… for the sake of this country, and for the sake of its people.
General MACARTHER ONCE SAID…. “THE SOLDIER, ABOVE ALL OTHER PEOPLE, PRAYS FOR PEACE,………… FOR HE MUST SUFFER — AND BEAR, THE DEEPEST WOUNDS AND SCARS OF WAR”. TODAY WE ARE JOINED BY MANY VETERANS WHO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THESE FEW WORDS MORE THAN MOST OF US WILL EVER KNOW. WE BEGIN TODAY’S CEREMONY MAKING SPECIAL NOTE THAT ALL VETERANS, BOTH THOSE THAT HAVE PAST ON, AND THOSE WHO ARE HERE TODAY, WERE CITIZENS JUST LIKE THE CADETS standing before you, wHO BECAME MEN ON THE FIELDS OF BATTLE IN FAR AWAY PLACES WITH NAMES LIKE;
- SAN JUAN HILL,
- BELLA WOODS,
- OMAHA BEACH,
- HAN RIVER,
- KONTUM PROVINCE,
- MOGADISHU,
- BAGHDAD
- & KABUL.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECALL——- AND MOSTLY TO REMEMBER,—– THAT ALL OF THEM WERE JUST LIKE YOU AND I. THEY ONCE STOOD WHERE WE STAND, WALKED WHERE WE WALK, LEARNED WHERE WE LEARN. They SUCCEEDED AND FAILED AND GOT BACK UP TO TRY ANOTHER DAY. AS SUCH, WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR ALL PAST AND PRESENT VETERANS HERE TODAY, WHO EACH MADE A PERSONAL SACRIFICE IN DEFENDING THE MANY FREEDOMS WE ALL ENJOY TODAY. This ceremony was made possible by the donation of the script by Jim Kebisek LTC US Army Retired the Senior Army Instructor at ST John’s Northwestern Military Academy. We of course have taken it and put a distinct North Carolina flavor on it. We ask that you come back with us to a different time where life was simpler but the problems were just as complex as they are today. Due to Covid our choir could not be here so we hope that our musical selections will help with our journey through history.
Narrator:
World War 1.
It began with World War I; the “GREAT WAR” The war to end all wars. The state of North Carolina sent 86,457 soldiers overseas to fight for the United States. In only five months of combat, 624 North Carolinians were killed in battle while 3,655 were wounded and 204 later died of wounds. In addition to the battle casualties, another 1,542 North Carolinians died of disease while serving in the army, mostly from influenza. Even more died of influenza back home. These people, and many more, served their state and country during the hard years of war.
There are many stories of people from our state—from first volunteers, soldiers in the trenches, and nurses behind the lines to people on the home front. World War I, once called the Great War, is an important chapter in American history and of North Carolina’s history. At the time, Americans thought it would be the “war to end all wars.” But it was not. Our Boys were referred to as Dough-Boys. They are all gone now. The last Dough-Boy of World War I was Corporal Frank Buckles. Corporal Buckles lived to the ripe old age of 107. He died of natural causes in 2011. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery not far from General John Black Jack Perishing’s Grave. There is a special marker at his grave which lists him as the last soldier from the Great War to muster. On Monday Cadets from our school will lay a wreath at his grave as a symbol of our commitment to remember the sacrifices made by a generation long gone.
IN RECOGNITION OF ALL WORLD WAR I VETERANS THAT SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR, AND NOW HAVE PASSED ON, WE SALUTE YOU.
Narrator:
World War II the war to end all wars
World War II, was one of the darkest periods in the history of the world. Out of that darkness the greatest generation ever would change the world. The war raged from 1939 to 1945 and involved most of the countries in the GREAT WAR. North Carolina’s military contributions to World War II were equally significant: The 30th infantry division better known as Old Hickory was recalled into service in 1940. Under the command of Maj. Gen. Leland S. Hobbs, the Thirtieth took part in the invasion of Normandy and engagements throughout France and Belgium before meeting Russian forces at the Elbe River on 8 May 1945. The men of Old Hickory earned numerous medals and citations. Hitler’s troops would refer to the men of the 30th as “Roosevelt’s SS”. Many North Carolinians also served with the Fourth and Eightieth Infantry Divisions. Soldiers in the Fourth were the first American troops to enter Paris, and the Eightieth liberated several German concentration camps. Many North Carolinians distinguished themselves in service. Harnett County’s Gen. William C. Lee, known as the “Father of the Airborne,” was primarily responsible for the establishment of the U.S. Airborne Command. His work would lead to the 82nd Airborne division earning the nickname “Devils in Baggy Pants”
Maj. Margaret Craighill, of Southport, a physician, was the first woman to be directly commissioned into the medical corps.
Six North Carolinians were awarded the Medal of Honor.
Forty-one American ships participating in the war were named for North Carolina-related people and places, including the famed battleship USS North Carolina, which engaged in much of the fighting in the Pacific. Years later Elizabethtown’s own Wallace Leinwand would be influential in helping the USS North Carolina become a permanent part of North Carolina History.
North Carolina industries also made significant contributions to the war effort. Between 1941 and 1945 the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company of Wilmington built dozens of Liberty ships and other vessels. The state provided many important materials to the armed forces, including more textile goods than any other state. North Carolina was fourth in the production of lumber supplied to the military.
Sixteen Million Americans served in World War II. Two hundred and ninety six World War II veterans die each day. Right now there are 325, 574 still alive. At this time we salute the greatest generation ever.
Narrator:
Korea the forgotten WAR!
As war in Europe and the Pacific came to an end, the seeds of what was to be known as the Korean Conflict were laid to mature at the end of WWII. Europe , in particular Russia,— was not the only place where Communists were coming to power. In the Far East, they were getting powerful – China turned Communist in 1949. President Truman believed that, if one country fell to Communism—– then others would follow, like a line of dominoes.
On June 25th, 1950 President Truman’s fears became a reality; crossing the 38th parallel, —— North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to unify—- by force; the whole of the Korean peninsula. South Korea was caught off guard as the North Korean troops pushed south taking over the capital of Seoul, leaving only the small area which became known as the Pusan (POO SON) perimeter, free of communist rule.
At wars end, 1,789,000 men and woman had bravely served our nation with total casualties at
– 33,640 dead,
– 103,300 wounded
– And 8,176 missing in action.
The 1953 armistice ended the fighting, but Korea remains, to this day, divided at the 38th parallel and subject to the possibility of a new hostilities at any time.
More than 177,000 North Carolina men and women served in the U.S. forces.
Of the 133 medals of Honor awarded during the Korean conflict, a total of 3 were from North Carolina.
At this time we salute all Korean War Veterans:
Narrator
VIETNAM
The Vietnam War began in 1959, five years after the division of the country by the Geneva Accords. Vietnam had been split into two at the 17th Parallel,—- with a communist government in the north under Ho Chi Minh; and a democratic government in the south under D.M.(Dim) Ho Chi Minh launched a guerilla campaign in South Vietnam, led by Viet Cong units, with the goal of uniting the country under communist rule. The United States,—- seeking to stop the spread of communism, trained the Army of the Republic of Vietnam know as the (R- VIN) and provided military advisors to help combat the guerillas. In August 1964, a US warship was attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. Following this attack, Congress passed the Southeast Asia Resolution which allowed President Johnson to conduct military operations in the region without a declaration of war.
Over the course of the war, more than 8,700,000 uniformed men and woman honorably served our nation, which resulted in a total war casualty of 153, 303 wounded and 58,824 battle deaths with 1, 948 missing in action.
Of the 246 servicemen awarded our Nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor; 2 were from North Carolina.
Before we salute our veterans we would like to thank MSG Leon Walden the Brother in law of our Physical Education Teacher Ms Sharon McDowell for the donation of this uniform as well as our Korean War Uniform. At this time we salute our Vietnam veterans.
Narrator:
Operation Urgent Fury
Operation Urgent Fury, was a 1983 United States-led invasion of Grenada, a Caribbean island nation with a population of about 91,000 located 100 miles (160 km) north of Venezuela, which resulted in a U.S. victory within a matter of weeks. Triggered by a bloody military coup which had ousted a four-year revolutionary government, the invasion resulted in a restoration of constitutional government. . After a 1983 internal power struggle ended with the deposition and murder of revolutionary Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, the invasion began early on 25 October 1983, just two days and several hours after the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut (early 23 October Beirut time).
The U.S. Army’s Rapid Deployment Force (1st, 2nd Ranger Battalions and North Carolina’s 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers from Fayetteville), U.S. Marines from the 8th Marine Regiment from Camp Lejeune, U.S. Army Delta Force and U.S. Navy SEALs and other combined forces comprised the 7,600 troops from the United States, Jamaica, and members of the Regional Security System (RSS)[4] defeated Grenadian resistance after a low-altitude airborne assault by the 75th Rangers on Point Salines Airport on the southern end of the island while a Marine helicopter and amphibious landing occurred on the northern end at Pearl’s Airfield shortly afterward. The military government of Hudson Austin was deposed and replaced by a government appointed by Governor-General Paul Scoon until elections were held in 1984.
The U.S. awarded more than 5,000 medals for merit and valor.
The date of the invasion is now a national holiday in Grenada, called Thanksgiving Day. One of our parents Mr Linwood Britton passed a few weeks ago. He is the father of Valli Dixon PBLA class of 2020 and Linwood Britton PBLA class of 2023. As a member of the 82nd he earned his combat action patch in Grenada. We will miss him standing with pride when we would recognize the warriors of this conflict. At this time we salute Mr Britton and all operation urgent fury veterans.
Narrator:
Operation Just Cause
The U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marines participated in Operation Just Cause. Ground forces came from North Carolinas own XVIII Airborne Corps, and 82nd Airborne Division, the Joint Special Operations Task Force, and the 508th Infantry Regiment. Infantry Units from the 6th Marine Regiment from Camp Lejune, NC also took part into the the military incursion into Panama began on 20 December 1989
Units from Fayetteville NC served as the tip of the spear. Fort Amador was secured by elements of the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 59th Engineer Company (sappers) in a nighttime air assault which secured the fort in the early hours of 20 December. Fort Amador was a key position because of its relationship to the large oil farms adjacent to the canal, the Bridge of the Americas over the canal, and the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Key command and control elements of the PDF were stationed there. C Company 1st Battalion (Airborne) 508th PIR was assigned the task of securing La Commandancia. Furthermore, Fort Amador had a large U.S. housing district that needed to be secured to prevent the PDF from taking U.S. citizens as hostages. Here in North Carolina we were treated to a rare white Christmas. As we dug out and tried to stay warm the War was brought into our living rooms with real time reporting. North Carolina watched as her sons fought not only the Panamanian Army but jungle like heat and humidity. American forces successfully accomplished their mission; decisively neutralizing the Panamanian Army, restoring the elected democratic government, protecting American lives, and minimizing Panamanian casualties.
Would all veterans who served in operation Just Cause stand and be recognized.
NARRATOR READS:
The 1st GULF WAR “DESERT STORM”
On August 2, 1990. Iraq’s leader, Hussein, ordered the invasion and occupation of Kuwait with the aim of:
– acquiring that nation’s large oil reserves,
– canceling a large debt Iraq owed Kuwait, and
– expanding Iraqi power in the region.
On August 3 the United Nations Security Council called for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait,
On August 6 the council imposed a worldwide ban on trade with Iraq.
Iraq’s invasion and the potential threat it posed to Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil producer and exporter, prompted President George Bush to draw a line in the sand. The United States and its western European NATO allies to rush troops to Saudi Arabia to deter a possible attack. The first troops on the ground from the United States were America’s 911 the men and women of the 82nd airborne division from Fayetteville NC. They would later be joined by the 6th Marines from Camp Lejeune.
Egypt and several other Arab nations joined the anti-Iraq coalition and contributed forces to the military buildup. This phase was assigned the name Operation Desert Shield
On November 29 1990 the Council authorized the use of force against Iraq if it did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15, 1991. Iraq refused to leave Kuwait hopes seemed slim of a diplomatic solution. The 82nd airborne which had spent the previous Christmas in Panama would spend another Christmas on foreign soil.
By January 1991 the allied coalition against Iraq had reached a strength of 700,000 troops, including 540,000 U.S. personnel and smaller numbers of British, French, Egyptians, Saudis, Syrians, and several other national contingents.
Saddam Hussain’s steadfastly refused to withdraw Iraqi forces from Kuwait, and maintained the position that Kuwait would remain a province of Iraq.
The Persian Gulf War, now assigned the name, OPERATION DESERT STORM; began on January 16, 1991, with a massive U.S.-led air offensive against Iraq that continued throughout the war. By mid February the allies had shifted their air attacks to Iraq’s forward ground forces in Kuwait and southern Iraq, destroying their fortifications and tanks.
On February 24th, OPERATION DESERT SABRE, the allied ground offensive from northeastern Saudi Arabia into Kuwait and southern Iraq was initiated, and within three days Arab and U.S. forces had retaken Kuwait city in the face of crumbling Iraqi resistance. By February 27 coalition forces had destroyed most of Iraq’s elite Republican Guard. On February 28 1991, President Bush declared a cease-fire. Iraqi resistance had completely collapsed.
Over the course of this, what is now called the 1st Gulf War, NC sustained a total of 14 casualties.
A special thank you to Mr Michael Fishburn PBLA father of Cadet Michael Fishburn for the donation of this uniform to our program. We salute all Desert Storm veterans:
Narrator:
Operation Gothic serpent
The Battle of Mogadishu or Operation Gothic Serpent was fought from 3–4 October 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, between forces of the United States, supported by Somalia, and Somali militiamen loyal to the self-proclaimed president-to-be Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Aidid also had support from armed civilian fighters. The battle is also referred to as the First Battle of Mogadishu to distinguish it from subsequent battles in that city, such as the Second Battle of Mogadishu of 2006.
The initial U.S. Joint Special Operations force, Task Force Ranger, was a collaboration of various elite special forces units from Army Special Operations Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and Navy Special Warfare Command. Task Force Ranger was dispatched to seize two of Aidid’s high-echelon lieutenants during a meeting in the city. The goal of the operation was achieved, though conditions spiraled into the deadly Battle of Mogadishu. The initial operation of 3 October 1993, intended to last an hour, became an overnight standoff and rescue operation extending into daylight hours of 4 October.
Task Force Ranger consisted of various elite special operations units from Army, Air Force and Navy special services: U.S. Army Rangers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment; C Squadron, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), better known as “Delta Force“; helicopters flown by 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment; Air Force Combat Controllers; Air Force Pararescuemen; and Navy SEALs. As a multi-disciplinary joint Special Forces operation, Task Force Ranger reported to Joint Special Operations Command, led by Major General William F. Garrison.
On 3 October 1993, Task Force Ranger began an operation that involved traveling from their compound on the city’s outskirts to the center with the aim of capturing the leaders of the Habr Gidr clan, led by Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The assault force consisted of nineteen aircraft, twelve vehicles (including nine Humvees), and 160 men.
Shortly after the assault began, Somali militia and armed civilian fighters shot down two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with RPGs . Three other helicopters were damaged. Some of the wounded survivors were able to evacuate to the compound, but others remained near the crash sites and were isolated. An urban battle ensued and continued throughout the night. Early the next morning, a combined task force was sent to rescue the trapped soldiers. It contained soldiers from the Pakistan Army, the Malaysian Army and the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division. They assembled over one hundred vehicles, including Pakistani tanks (M48s) and Malaysian Condor armored personnel carriers and were supported by U.S. MH-6 Little Bird and MH-60L Black Hawk helicopters. This task force reached the first crash site and rescued the survivors. The second crash site had been overrun by hostile Somalis during the night. Delta snipers Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart volunteered to hold them off until ground forces arrived. A Somali mob with thousands of combatants eventually overran the two men. Sadly both of these men perished. That site’s lone surviving American, pilot Michael Durant, had been taken prisoner but was later released.
The battle resulted in 18 deaths, 73 wounded, and one helicopter pilot captured among the U.S. raid party and rescue forces. At least one Pakistani soldier and one Malaysian soldier were killed as part of the rescue forces on day two of the battle. American sources estimate between 1,500 and 3,000 Somali casualties, including civilians.
The book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War estimates more than 700 Somali militiamen were killed by US forces and more than 1,000 militiamen were wounded, 18 American soldiers dead and 73 were wounded. Two days later, a 19th soldier, Delta operator SFC Matt Rierson, was killed in a mortar attack. At the time, the battle was the bloodiest involving U.S. troops since the Vietnam War and remained so until the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004. American grieved as they watched images of militiamen dragging the corpses of American soldiers through the streets. News Cameras brought the ravages of war into our homes. General William Garrison the commander of US Army forces made it his personal mission to bring Adid to Justice.
On 24 July 1996, Aidid was wounded during a firefight between his militia and forces loyal to former Aidid allies, Ali Mahdi Muhammad and Osman Ali Atto. He suffered a fatal heart attack on 1 August 1996, either during or after surgery to treat his wounds.[17] The following day, General Garrison retired.[18]
We salute all veterans who participated in Operation Gothic Serpent.
Narrator:
Operation Enduring Freedom
On September 11th 2001 at approximately 0846 hrs. Eastern Standard Time, America’s war on terror began. As the horrific events of the day unfolded, America held its collective breath praying for the terror to end. As President George W. Bush finished his briefing to our country the evening of 11 Sept, he left us all with the direction that: (read slowly) WE WILL NOT TIRE….., WE WILL NOT FALTER….. AND WE WILL NOT FAIL.
Now 18 years later our Nation has officially ended the war in Afghanistan on paper but it still remains America’s longest war. The US continues to support our Afghan Allies. More than 2,334,000 uniformed men and women have honorably served our nation. To date US forces have sustain a total of 6 510 battle deaths Although the key terrorist that initiated this horrific Global War on Terror was FOUND and killed in May 2011, the war in Afghanistan , the war with no front lines,———- no uniformed enemies——- and most unfortunately; ———– no real victory in sight …. Continues on. Would all veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom please stand and be recognized.
Narrator:
The Global War on Terror
The targets of the campaign are primarily Sunni Islamist fundamentalist armed groups located throughout the Muslim world, with the most prominent groups being Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and the Taliban.
George Bush stated, “Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists and every government that supports them.”
Since 9-11 we have witnessed the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terror group—also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)—led to a new operation against terror in the Middle East and South Asia,
Tens of thousands of American Troops have been wounded or lost their lives as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve. .
Narrator:
We salute all veterans who:
– have served since 2001,
– And warriors currently serving our nation in the active, reserve or guard forces please rise and be recognized:
(Applause from audience)
NARRATOR:
IT IS NOW OUR DISTINCT HONOR TO recognize our vets who are present today. The cadets of The Paul R Brown Leadership Academy ARE DELIGHTED TO PRESENT THIS WELL-EARNED SALUTE TO ALL OF OUR CITIZENS WHO ANSWERED OUR NATION’S CALL TO SERVICE.
THE MERCHANT MARINES
The first wartime role of an identifiable United States merchant marine first took place on June 17, 1775 in and around Machias, Maine when a group of citizens, in need of critical supplies of lumber and food, captured the British Ship the HMS Mararetta.
The merchant marine was active in subsequent wars, from the Confederate commerce raiders of the American Civil War, to the First and Second Battle of the Atlantic in World War I and World War II. During World War II, Duty as a Merchant Marine Mariner was extremely dangerous with a death rate of 1 in 24. All told, 733 American cargo ships were lost and 8,651 of the 215,000 who served perished on troubled waters and off enemy shores.
Merchant shipping also played its role in the wars in Vietnam and Korea. From just six ships under charter when the Korean War began, to a peak of 255 at wars end.
During the Vietnam War, ships crewed by civilian seamen carried 95% of the supplies used by the American armed forces. Many of these ships sailed into combat zones under fire. In fact, the SS Mayaguez incident involved the capture of mariners from the American Merchant Marine ship—the SS Mayaguez.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law making veterans of ALL merchant mariners who serve in war.
THE MERCHANT MARINE COLORS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED BY Alpha COMPANY. ALL MERCHANT MARINE VETERANS PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.
NARRATOR
THE US COAST GUARD
THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE AGENCIES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE COAST GUARD BEGAN BACK ON AUGUST 4TH, 1790, WHEN THE FIRST CONGRESS AUTHORIZED THE CONSTRUCTION OF TEN VESSELS TO ENFORCE THE TARIFF AND TRADE LAWS AND TO PREVENT SMUGGLING, AND TO PROTECT THE COLLECTION OF FEDERAL REVENUE. AS THE NATION GREW IN SIZE, THE COAST GUARD’S RESPONSIBILITIES DID TOO. THESE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDED HUMANITARIAN DUTIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST SLAVERY, PIRACY, AND TO PREVENT SMUGGLING. IN 1915, WHEN THE REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE MERGED WITH THE LIFE-SAVING SERVICE, THE COAST GUARD RECEIVED THEIR NAME. FINALLY THE NATION HAD A SERVICE DEDICATED TO SAVING LIFE AT SEA, AND ENFORCING THE NATION’S MARITIME LAWS.
THE COAST GUARD IS ONE OF THE OLDEST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, ALONG WITH THE NAVY. THE COAST GUARD HAS CONTINUED TO PROTECT OUR NATION, SERVING IN EVERY ONE OF THE NATION’S CONFLICTS. IN TIMES OF PEACE, THE COAST GUARD OPERATES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, ENFORCING OUR LAWS AT SEA, PROTECTING COASTLINES AND PORTS, ALONG WITH SAVING LIVES. IN TIMES OF WAR, OR ON THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT, THE COAST GUARD OPERATES UNDER THE NAVY.
We salute all COAST GUARD VETERANS at this time.
NARRATOR:
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE IS OUR YOUNGEST FIGHTING ARM. THOUGH BALLOONS WERE USED AS EARLY AS THE CIVIL WAR TO OBSERVE TROOP MOVEMENTS, IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1907 THAT THE ARMY CREATED AN AERONAUTICAL DIVISION IN THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER. IN 1947, THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WAS CREATED AS A SEPARATE ARMED SERVICE. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE AIR FORCE IS TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO DETER POTENTIAL AGGRESSORS, TO PROVIDE THE COUNTRY’S AIR DEFENSE IN WAR TIME, AND TO SUPPORT UNITED STATES RESOLVE WORLDWIDE. THESE WERE THE PEOPLE WHO CONDUCTED THE WORLD WAR I DOGFIGHTS, THE DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT OVER EUROPE AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN AREA DURING WORLD WAR II, AND CONDUCTED SUSTAINED AIR OPERATIONS IN KOREA, VIETNAM, AFGHANISTAN, AND IRAQ, JUST TO NAME A FEW. We salute ALL United States AIR FORCE VETERANS.
NARRATOR:
THE UNITED STATES NAVY
AMERICAN NAVAL HISTORY BEGAN WITH THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR ON OCTOBER 13, 1775. THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS DIRECTED SILAS DEANE, JOHN ADAMS, AND JOHN LANGDON TO FIT OUT TWO WARSHIPS. ON MARCH 24, 1794, CONGRESS AUTHORIZED THE BUILDING OF SIX FRIGATES: THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION, THE PRESIDENT, THE CHESAPEAKE, THE CONSTELLATION, AND THE CONGRESS. IN PEACETIME, THE NAVY PROTECTS AMERICAN CITIZENS AND PROPERTY IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. DURING WAR THE NAVY, AUGMENTED BY THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, COMMANDS THE SEAS, DENYING THEIR USE TO ENEMIES WHILE OPENING THEM TO SHIPS OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES.
THE BRAVERY AND COURAGE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT OUR NATIONS HISTORY AND EXEMPLIFIED IN THE ICY BATTLES OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, THE FIERCE AND INTENSE COMBAT OF THE PACIFIC THEATER, RIGHT ON THROUGH THE PERIOD OF THE COLD WAR AND INTO THE MORE RECENT ACTIONS IN THE PERSIAN GULF. Congratulations to Keyanna Cann PBLA Class of 2019 on your promotion to Petty Officer 2nd Class. A special shoutout to our own Chief Petty Officer Turner. We salute the United States Navy.
NARRATOR:
THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
FIRST AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, NOVEMBER 10, 1775, THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS PROVIDED INFANTRY ABOARD FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE NAVY. AN ACT OF CONGRESS ESTABLISHED THE MARINE CORPS OF TODAY ON JULY 11, 1798 AS A SEPARATE SERVICE. THE MARINE CORPS PROVIDES SPECIALLY TRAINED AMPHIBIOUS FORCES INSTANTLY AVAILABLE TO EACH MAJOR FLEET & UNIFIED COMMAND. THE GALLANTRY OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE MARINE CORPS HAS SHINED BRIGHTLY FROM THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, TO EUROPE DURING WORLD WAR I, TO INTENSE COMBAT ON THE ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC IN WWII, TO THE HILLS OF KOREA, THE RICE PADDIES OF VIETNAM, THE DESERTS OF SAUDI ARABIA, —- AND OVER THE PAST 19 LONG YEARS, OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ. A special happy birthday to Jessica Lamb PBLA Class of 2020 who is currently at Parris Island where she will soon become the Academy’s first United States Marine —– SEMPER FI, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES ON YOUR 245TH BIRTHDAY!
NARRATOR:
THE UNITED STATES ARMY
THE BRANCH OF THE ARMED FORCES THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIGHTING ON LAND IS THE UNITED STATES ARMY. THE HISTORY OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, WHICH GREW INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY, PREDATES THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. AMERICAN COLONIAL TROOPS FOUGHT IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS. ON JUNE 14, 1775, THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS VOTED TO RAISE 10 COMPANIES OF RIFLEMEN FOR SERVICE IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, AND APPOINTED GEORGE WASHINGTON “GENERAL, COMMANDER IN CHIEF” OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY. IT WAS THE BATTLES OF BUNKER HILL, GETTYSBURG, THE ARGONNE, NORMANDY, IN THE SNOW OF THE BULGE, THE HILLS OF KOREA, THE JUNGLES OF VIETNAM, THE STREETS OF MOGADISHU, THE SANDS OF SAUDI ARABIA & IRAQ, AND THE MOUNTAINS OF AFGHANISTAN, THAT THE VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY DISPLAYED THEIR HEROISM IN THE CAUSE OF AMERICA’S FREEDOM. Thank you to Kalil Richardson PBLA Class of 2019, Jalen Lloyd and Tristen Bray PBLA Class of 2020. SPC Trever Lloyd and our Commandant of Cadets Carl Lloyd.
NARRATOR:
We have honored veterans today but there are some that paid the ultimate sacrifice. At this time we can honor those who did not make it home.
Alumni from our school are currently at the tip of the spear helping to protect our great country. We are proud of them and appreciate their sacrifice. We ask that all alumni, staff, faculty and Board members present please stand as the school song is sung.
Ladies and Gentlemen we hope that you have enjoyed our ceremony.
Ladies and Gentlemen this concludes our ceremony thank you for attending.
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