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2001-2004 ARCHIVES
2005 ARCHIVES
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News Headlines
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
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Freeland Evokes Memories in Area Veterans at MHS Event |
John Kermit Laughrey
addresses the audience regarding the importance of defending
the nations freedoms and obtaining a good education. In the
background, left to right, are Student Council President
Brice Priestley, guest speaker Mike Freeland, and Principal
Terry Howell.
Memories ran rampant through the ranks of World War II
veterans assembled among a larger group of veterans of the
nation's armed forces, during McKenzie High School's annual
Veterans Day program, as their brother in arms, Mike
Freeland, recalled the horrors of battle in log-ago France.
"It brought tears to my eyes, losing so many good friends in
Normandy," said Vernon Bobo of Trezevant, who earned medals
during the war for gallantry and heroism and was four times
wounded by shrapnel. He said Freeland's comments brought
back, as well, the bitter cold through which American men
fought and often died for the cause of freedom.
Edward Naughton, a Navy veteran from Paris, also extolled
the event that each year honors veterans with a formal
program including student writings, readings of poetry, band
performances and other musical presentations, and a guest
speaker, followed by a free lunch for veterans who are
served by a friendly and enthusiastic group of young people.
Naughton said he read about the event in The McKenzie Banner
and, since to his knowledge there were no such events in
Paris, he traveled to McKenzie to celebrate the holiday,
where he enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellows following an
outstanding program, which was attended by nearly 70
veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, peacetime, and
both gulf wars. Missed was Everett McBride, who was ill. His
son, Kenny, who is mayor of Carroll County, was among
several citizens in attendance.
Freeland, a former McKenzie resident and community leader,
recounted the history of Veterans Day from its roots in 1919
when it was founded as Armistice Day, to the present, when
he said he wished it could be renamed "Veterans and Family
Day."
"It is only with the love and support and sacrifice of
families that veterans could survive wars and loneliness,"
he said. "We salute you for your sacrifice, your support and
your love."
He presented Student Council President Brice Priestley with
the Pathfinder Leadership Award, a pair of silver parachute
wings, in recognition of his leadership achievements in
school, community, and church.
Keynote speaker Mike Freeland, right, spends time in the
McKenzie High School cafeteria with son, Air Force Master
Sergeant David Freeland, who graduated from MHS in 1976.
Freeland was a combat medic with the 82nd Airborne Division
in the Battle of the Bulge. He currently heads Pathfinder
youth leadership organization, based in Hopkinsville,
Kentucky. He joined a group of two dozen other World War II
veterans recently to return to the battlefields of France to
celebrate the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. For
more information about Freeland and his peace- and war-time
experiences, see the November 2 edition of The McKenzie
Banner or
click here to read the article online.
Principal Terry Howell recalled how his father, the late
Franklin "Brat" Howell, loved Veterans Day and said that
when he looked at the old soldiers present he saw his father
in them. The high school has been honoring veterans annually
for well over 30 years, according to Howell, who noted the
holiday was more poignant to students when veterans and
those serving in the Iraq war are those who recently sat
among the assembly of students.
Two empty chairs were symbolic of those absent for the
appreciation service: a seat bearing a white rose symbolized
the absence of recent MHS graduate Dusty Carroll, who
earlier this year was killed while serving in Iraq, and a
seat bearing a red rose symbolized members of Company A,
230th Engineer Battalion, who are hoped will return next
month from service in Iraq.
John Kermit Laughrey shared his award-winning speech "How I
Demonstrate My Freedom", in which he promotes a series of
benchmarks in the struggle for freedom, including, most
recently, the first free Iraqi election in almost 50 years.
He said more than 70 percent of Iraqis turned out to vote in
2005 compared with only 51 percent in America's 2004
election, in apparent disregard for the lives of more than
700,000 soldiers who have fought and died since the
Revolutionary War to maintain America's freedoms.
He also stressed the importance of adhering to the
foundations set out by our forefathers, noting that
increased diversity and growing secularism does not erase
the fact that the United States was created with a strong
Biblical foundation. He quoted 30th United States President
Calvin Coolidge, who said, "The foundation of our society
and our government rests so much on the teaching of the
Bible that it would be difficult to support these
foundations if faith in these teachings would cease to be
practically universal in our country."
Members of VFW Post 4939, from left to right, Burnell Beers,
Odell Pate, Al Wainscott, and William Robertson, participate
in a ceremony honoring deceased veterans.
But he said free thinking Americans are not afraid to pursue
new ideas.
Regarding the freedoms afforded by the constitution, he
said, "It is our right and, moreover, our duty, to protect
these freedoms no matter what the cost."
Laughrey urges listeners to make a commitment defend the
nations freedoms and to obtain the best education possible
"so that free and independent minds can give back to a
nation that has given us so much."
Other patriotic youths participating in the event were
Kelsey Cooper singing the national anthem, Chris Johnson
leading the Pledge of Allegiance, poetry recitations by
Hunter Downing, Caleb Owen, and Nicole West, and Andrew
Bertino and Kellett Hochreiter performing Taps.
Members of the Company A, 230th Engineer Battalion color
guard were Sgt. Joel Gordon, Sgt. Pat Carroll (father of the
late Dusty Carroll), Sgt. Gary Kidwell, and Pfc. Andrew
Wilson.
Members of McKenzie's VFW Post 4939 performed a memorial
ceremony, placing white, red, and blue carnations on a
shrine, symbolizing justice, purity, truth and fidelity,
followed by a wreath swathed in patriotic ribbon, which
symbolized eternity. Participating in the ceremony were
Burnell Beers, Odell Pate, Al Wainscott, and William
Robertson.
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Huntingdon High School Band Receives Pinnacle of Excellence
Award |
Mayor Dale Kelley presents to members of the Huntingdon High
School Band and directors Lisa Bryant and Derek Cook the
town's highest honor, the Pinnacle of Excellence Award. The
band brought home the 2005 state championship and governor's
cup.
HUNTINGDON - In an otherwise slim agenda, Mayor Dale Kelley
and members of the Huntingdon Town Council on Tuesday,
November 8, presented members and leadership of the
Huntingdon High School Band with the town's highest honor,
the Pinnacle of Excellence award. The band won the 2005
Division I State Championship and the Governor's Cup.
"It's a great honor for us to recognize the band members,
its leaders, and parents of the members of the Huntingdon
High School Band," said Kelley, noting the band had won the
state championship in 1978, '79, '91, '92, '03 and '05. He
said it takes a lot of dedication from band members, leaders
and parents to achieve the success enjoyed by the band.
"It's really wonderful... I'm pleased on behalf of the
Huntingdon Town Council and the citizens of the town of
Huntingdon to present this Pinnacle of Excellence award to
the Huntingdon High School Band," he continued. The Pinnacle
of Excellence celebrates excellence in individuals and
groups through extraordinary achievement, exceptional
performance and exemplary standards.
"This means a lot to us; it really does," said band director
Lisa Bryant. Derek Cook, who also directs the band, and ten
band students were also present to accept the award. The
band's theme for 2005 was "The Best of Ray Charles".
Kelley said he had learned the school was also the recipient
of the A.F. Bridges Sportsmanship Award.
"I think that says a lot of Huntingdon High School," he
said.
Huntingdon Town Council member and Relay for Life co-chair,
Dr. Tim Tucker, displays the trophy and emblem received by
the Carroll South Relay unit as the district's only All
American Relay team.
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The A.F. Bridges divisional awards are presented to schools
having no reported unsportsmanlike conduct incidents during
the previous year and which exhibit a positive effort to
teach, expect, and demand a positive atmosphere of
sportsmanship during athletic contests. Schools are
nominated by local officials associations, other member
schools, and the Tennessee Observers Program for Sports
(TOPS).
Of 26 divisional recipients, one school in each class will
receive Tennessee's top award-- the A.F. Bridges State Award
of Excellence--for overall outstanding effort in its
division. The A.F. Bridges Award is given in honor of the
TSSAA's first executive secretary, who served in the role
from 1946 until 1972.
The three schools in West Tennessee receiving the Class A
divisional award were Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central and
Huntingdon High School.
THE DIXIE OPENS NOVEMBER 17 TO SOLD-OUT CROWDS
Kelley announced ticket sales for The Dixie had sold
extremely well through December, with The Chuck Wagon Gang
and Nashville Symphony Orchestra having sold out. Tickets
were still available for the Huntingdon Hayride, Velveteen
Rabbit and Sanders Family Christmas.
He said construction on the center and adjacent parking area
would be complete by opening weekend, November 17-20.
"We're really pleased with the way things have come
together... Things are coming along good and we'll look
forward to large crowds and having a great time," he said.
CARROLL SOUTH NAMED ALL AMERICAN RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM
Council member Dr. Tim Tucker announced Carroll South's
receipt of the All American Relay Team award. He said the
Carroll South unit was the only community Relay for Life
team in the district to receive the award. Tucker, along
with Dr. Lee Carter, was co-chair of Relay for Life for six
years, ending with the 2005 event.
"This was a big surprise," said Tucker, displaying a heavy
trophy and large, round emblem signifying the award. "We are
all-American and we do all we can to help each other."
Carroll County as a whole ranked number one per capita in
the state and nation among counties with a population
between 25,000 and 29,999, with collections of $273,722,
representing $9.425 per person. Tucker said the county was
number four among counties of every size across the
mid-south, including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Tucker said the awards showed what the county could do when
everyone pulled together.
"That's quite a feat, no question about it," said Kelley.
In other business the council approved the use of Kelley
Sports Complex on Saturday, December 3, for a First Baptist
Church Huntingdon, ninth grade and older flag football
tournament. The event is a fundraiser for Upward Basketball.
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McKenzie Council Discusses Water Issues |
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In the absence of Keith Campbell of Campbell's Well
Drilling in McKenzie, council member Jill Holland distributed
a packet of material regarding the use of wells for water
furnace systems, or heat pumps.
She said both Paris and Jackson allow wells within city limits
for irrigation and geo-thermal heating units.
"I think this is something we would all be really interested
in," she said, noting if the heating system was used in
conjunction with city water "the bills would be phenomenal."
She also presented a chart showing well testing fees conducted
for Campbell by Environmental Science Corp. to be negligible,
costing at mist $1200, according to Holland. However,
Winchester had noted in previous meetings that actual testing
fees were within that price range and that engineering costs
and advice were what drove the prices thousands of dollars in
excess of testing fees.
Council member Darra Adkins asked if a disaster occurred,
whether the city would be able to continue supplying residents
with water.
Jerry Arthur pointed out the city has a generator to pump
water which would continue working so long as fuel was
available and that the city had a ready supply of fuel. He
said the generator operates on diesel or propane. He said
electricity would be similarly required to pump water from any
well.
Winchester also reported on the state of well testing and the
extension of water lines to households affected by
contaminated well water. See "Water Lines Extended, Some
Affected Residences Forego City Water" in this issue for more
information.
The council approved a work session scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Monday, November 14 at City Hall. Winchester said he plans to
present information relative to the city's new,
state-contracted community planner, Shelton Merrill, but said
Merrill would not be in attendance at the meeting.
Also to be discussed Monday night was the issue of street
signing warning children were at play. Councilman Willie
Huffman said personnel at the state level did not endorse the
signs because they lent a false sense of security to children
believing it safe to play in the street.
At the Monday meeting, council members planned the placement
of deer crossing signs on College Drive, Como Road, Smith
Street, and Paris Pike. Slow/children sign was planned for
Cole Street. Winchester said he would speak with Police Chief
Harry Cooper regarding speeding motorists on Stonewall.
Also during the Monday meeting, the council planned to amend
the well ordinance to allow some wells to be dug with the
approval of the Board of Water Commissioners. Uses discussed
as permissible include lawn irrigation, geo-thermal heating
units, and agricultural uses.
During the meeting, Winchester advised the council regarding
the new, state planning service. He also noted that one-third
of Profile Metals property extends beyond city limits.
In other business the council, on Thursday:
Approved a donation of $100 to the Shriner's Crippled
Children's Hospital;
Agreed to reject Musco's bid for ballpark lighting equipment
in favor of rebidding the job to electrical contractors for
combined equipment and installation after having difficulty in
location a company that would install equipment purchased from
other sources;
Approved a Christmas bonus of $100 per full-time employee and
$50 for part-time employees. The bonus was previously approved
in the budgeting process;
Hear Winchester report the city had received a grant of
$10,000 for waste oil recycling to reduce dependence on
natural gas. He said the 100 percent grant would allow used or
waste oil to be used in heating by the Street Department.
Heard Holland report that she, Park and Recreation Director
Ricky French, and City Clerk Charlie Beal had attended a grant
workshop recently and that the Park and Recreation Advisory
Board will meet in called session November 21 at 5:30 p.m. for
the purpose of determining how to best use grants, if awarded,
in the amounts of $500,000 (with the city required to expend a
like amount) and $200,00 (with the city required to spend an
additional 20 percent of that amount.)
"Parks and Recreation is not just sports, but recreation for
all ages," she said, noting the board hoped to solicit input
from different groups, clubs and senior citizens.
She also said November 18 was the deadline for registering
children in the third through eighth grades for basketball in
conjunction with the YMCA. The $15 fee may be waived for low
income families. The season begins January 6 and lasts through
the last Saturday in February. |
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McKenzie Rotary T.V. Auction is Saturday |
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McKenzie Rotary Club's Charity T.V. Auction is Saturday, 9
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Charter Media channel 10.
Many local and area businesses have donated merchandise for
the auction to aid the local service club in its local and
international mission. Proceeds from the event will help the
club purchase coats and jackets for foster children in
Carroll County, provide academic honors banquets for the
three McKenzie schools, sponsor a Little League team,
provide college scholarships, and provide funding for Boys
State and Girls State delegates.
Persons can tune in to view the merchandise and place bids.
Items will be selling throughout the day. The phone number
to call will be displayed on the television as the auction
progresses.
The auction will be conducted live from Bethel College Oasis
Room. Persons may come visit the adjacent coffee shop known
as The Daily Grind to be a part of the live auction.
McKenzie Junior Beta Club members will assist the Rotary
Club with the auction.
Successful bidders are asked to retrieve their items from
the Bethel College Student Center during or immediately
after the auction. |
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