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Veterans Honored at McKenzie High

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McKENZIE (November 11) — Area veterans were the guests of honor at McKenzie High School at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the school. Garrett Burns, a chaplain with the Navy, was the featured speaker. Burns was an Arkansas native, Bethel University graduate, former youth minister at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and now serves as associate chaplain at his alma mater, Bethel. He and wife, Jessica, have four children.Each attending veteran’s name was announced along with branch of service. John David Barker was honored as the lone WWII veteran attending.

The MHS Student Council planned the event. Students recited patriotic readings and the MHS Band performed patriotic musical selections.

Chaplain Burns said the 2021 Veterans Day was the first since the end of the war in Afghanistan.

Burns gave a speech with a four-part message. He encouraged the students to be teachable, to be interested in being teachable. He said the teachers at McKenzie chose a profession to be involved in the lives of the students to ‘pass it on.’ He encouraged students to surround themselves with good people.

Third, students were encouraged to do what is difficult. He praised those who are already working to learn difficult skills.

And last, Burns said the future is yours, make it your goal.

The ceremony concluded with the playing of “Taps” and the retiring of the American and Tennessee flags by members of the Tennessee National Guard.

MHS Principal Kelly Spivey thanked the veterans for their service and invited them to lunch.

Student participants included Mark Schultz, Trey Cook, Juleyanne Weatherford, Dani Dyer, Payton Ognibene, and Sadie O’Brien.