The Clinton County High School JROTC Bulldog Battalion Color Guard presented the colors as the Veterans Day program got underway

Several veterans were on hand Friday at Clinton County High School as the JROTC performed a salute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Above, U.S. Army Veterans stood as their flag was displayed and their service song was performed by the Clinton County High School Band.

During a roll call by MSG John Thomure, JROTC instructor, one name was not answered symbolizing a fallen soldier. Members of the Bulldog Battalion carried a box with an American Flag drapped over it to signify the coffin of a fallen service member. In the bottom photo, “Taps” was played by several members of the CCHS Band while other members of the JROTC performed a scene of the 21 gun salute.

Saluting the Marines, Navy, Air Force, Army and the United States Coast Guard, Veterans Day was celebrated at Clinton County High School as the JROTC presented “A Day to Remember” Friday, November 11, 2011.

The program started at 12:25 p.m. with several veterans attending to view the presentation. In what started out as a simple way to honor those who have served and especially those who have given their lives in the armed forces, the annual program has now turned into an elaborate production presented by the JROTC Bulldog Battalion.

The presentation started out with welcoming remarks by CWO Ron Cook.

Cook was a veteran of Vietnam and has taught at Clinton County High School as the JROTC instructor for nearly two decades.

The presentation then continued with the posting of the colors by the JROTC Color Guard and the National Anthem by the Clinton County High School Band under the direction of Doug Sell.

The posting of the colors was followed by a prayer by the Battalion Cadet Chaplain and the presentation of military service flags as the band played the service song of each branch of the military, the United States Marines, U.S. Army, United States Navy, United State Air Force, and the United States Coast Guard.

The flag presentation was followed by the POW flag placed behind the fallen soldier memorial.

“People around the world are recognizing Veterans Day as a day to remember,” Cook said during the presentation. “Today, the United States Armed Forces service members are engaged in combat in the operation in Iraq. The death toll, since Operation Iraq Freedom started in March 2003, is 4,483 as of today.”

The presentation continued with a POW/MIA ceremony as well as a history of Veterans Day.

The Veteran Recognition was presented by MSG John Thomure, who is also a JROTC instructor at Clinton County High School.

Cook then performed a song written by Steve Azar called “Soldier Song” followed by a welcome home scene performed by the JROTC showing servicemen and women hugging their loved ones as they disembarked from their vessel.

Thomure then proceeded with a roll call and a salute to the missing soldier.

Names were called out as a role call and while several veterans answered the roll call, one name was called and there was no answer.

JROTC members then carried out a box with an American Flag draped over it to symbolize carrying a coffin of a fallen soldier.

During the presentation of the fallen soldier, the JROTC performed the 21 gun salute while several members of the CCHS Band stood in each corner of the gymnasium and played “Taps”.

The presentation concluded with retired MSG Robert Osborn performing with Terry Wariner, Dr. Joel Eade, Bruce Powell, Bob Ramsey and sound engineer Danny Bailey.

Osborn has been retired for the past several years. He was formally a JROTC instructor for five years at Clinton County High School.