Local veterans honored at annual West Iredell High School ceremony (Photo Gallery)

BY KARISSA MILLER

West Iredell High School’s Junior ROTC cadets and students held the school’s 41st annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday morning, delivering a heartfelt and powerful tribute to those who served our country in the military.

**Pictured are brothers Sidney Harmon (left) and Chester Harmon of Statesville. Both served in Vietnam.**

Among the veterans honored were brothers, 82-year-old Chester and 78-year-old Sidney Harmon, who both served in Vietnam in 1968.

“I was drafted. Chester volunteered,” Sidney recalled. “I got deployed to Vietnam and was in the south in Saigon.”

“I was told I couldn’t go to Vietnam because I had a brother there,” Chester said.

However, after Chester insisted, he was deployed to northern Vietnam on an amphibious mission.

“I wrote him a letter and told him he could go home because I was in Vietnam,” Chester said, adding he wanted Sidney to be away from harm.

However, Sidney refused to leave because he felt a duty to serve his country.

Sidney worked with ammunition, which he says has impacted his hearing today. He also has painful memories of Vietnam. However, he believes that his mother’s prayers are what kept him alive.

The annual ceremony is filled with patriotic music from the choir, band, speeches that reflect gratitude, and a special flag folding demonstration.

Cadets from South Iredell and Mooresville high schools, along with the West Iredell chorus members and the Warrior Band, also helped with the ceremony.

“I want to extend an especially warm welcome to our veterans and their families who are sitting before us,” said West Cadet Battalion Commander Kameryn Spraker. “Today’s ceremony is for you — the men and women that have served and are currently serving our country — so that we can have the freedoms we have today.”

Distinguished cadets on stage included Spraker, Cadet Captain Aliyah Dean, CSM Ava Jernigan, Battalion S3 Kelsey Brown and Battalion XO Savannah Weber.

Principal Ben Johnson thanked the veterans in attendance for their courage, service and sacrifice.

“You are the reason we stand free. We are forever grateful,” Johnson said.

Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Jeff James also expressed his gratitude for the service of all veterans.

“Look around, there are over 600 veterans here. This assembly is a living, breathing tapestry of American courage. Each uniform, each hat, each story represents a chapter — in the epic narrative of freedom,” James said.

Rep. Jeff McNeely expressed words of appreciation for those who served and also addressed the cadets. “If you ever have to go into conflict, know that we are here praying for you every step of the way,” he said.

During the ceremony, Cadet Jason Bryant committed to joining the U.S. Army as a combat engineer. He will depart for basic training shortly after graduation. Chief Stephen Klein administered the other and swearing-in of Bryant.

Klein and First Sgt. Reggie Hooker are the Junior ROTC instructors at West Iredell High.

The West Iredell marching band performed the anthems of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The chorus performed several selections, including “American Dream,” “God Bless the USA” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

**David “Max” Burgess (center), 98, was honored for being the oldest veteran in attendance.**

JROTC members continued the tradition of recognizing the oldest veteran in attendance.

This year’s honoree was David “Max” Burgess, 98, who was born on January 15, 1927, and served in the Army. He received a folded flag and large flag plaque. A member of The Daughters of the American Revolution also knitted a quilt that was gifted to the oldest veteran.

Veterans concluded the program with a raffle and exchanged stories over a luncheon that was donated and prepared by Cooking for Christ.