Banks celebrates local veterans with ceremony
Published 9:22 pm Monday, November 11, 2019
Banks School presented a Veterans Day Program Friday at Banks Town Hall.
The program honored all veterans and specifically the veterans from the Banks area.
The program included poems and musical presentations by Aevionne Burney, Daisy Cueyactle, Chloe Johnson, Anna Turner, Kaiden Hazel, Emily Hussey, Rowdy Yates, Shyann Dunn and Brianna Holley.
The Veterans Day address was by Ternisha Miles Jones, United States Army and Alabama National Guard.
Jones told the students that character is the trait that matters most when making one’s way in the world.
She challenged the students to “work on your character.”
“You must avoid negative influences in your lives,” she said. “Develop a spirit of obedience. In today’s world, we have lost the capacity to obey. But, rules are designed for your safety, so obey and appreciate rules. They are there for a reason.”
Jones’ third directive for the students was “look out for each other.”
“Find a way to help each other,” she said. “Have integrity and make life better for yourself and others.”
The students, veterans and townspeople participated in dedication of the Banks Veterans Marker and the Laying of the Wreath. Participating in the ceremony were veterans Alan Andress, Thomas Arnold, Jeremy Burkett, Cathy Culpepper-Hatcher, James Davenport, Jason Dease, Camille Downing, Kashonna Flowers, Theresa Frakes, Jamantha Gillis, Ashton Hill, Clifford Jackson, Liz Leveque, Robert McLendon, Roosevelt Milton, Jeffery Myhand, Shaniqua Siler, Wilson Scott, James Smith, Lt. Terry Taylor and Steve Whitaker.
Shantell Rouse, principal Banks School, expressed appreciation to all who made the event special for the students, the veterans and the Town of Banks. She invited the veterans to a reception in their honor at the Town Hall.