E.W. Morrison Elementary students honor American fallen heroes

Students from the Boys into Gentlemen (B.I.G) and Early Act programs at E.W. Morrison Elementary School in Front Royal held a Memorial Day Service on Thursday, May 28, 2022.

Choir Director Thomas Hassett led the school choir in the singing of the National Anthem. Michael Williams, Student Support Coach and Early Act/Boys Into Gentlemen (B.I.G.) Faculty Advisor organized the event to share that Memorial Day is more than just the beginning of summer. Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May each year, that honors the men and women that died while serving in the United States military.

Williams said, “Jerry Pournelle was credited with the famous quote: “Freedom is not free. It is bought at a high price. It can be squandered cheaply.” While being sworn in as, then Governor of California, former and now late President Ronald Reagan stated: “Freedom and Liberty are one generation away from extinction.” We are reminded of this daily, as we see what is happening around our World.”

Local historian Dewey Vaughan read the names of a few local heroes from Warren County who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Along with parents, Capt Crystal Cline from the Front Royal Police Department and local attorney David Downes, as a Revolution War soldier, shared the experience with the students.

Memorial Day is set aside as a day to remember the people that have lost their lives to secure and defend our freedom, but every day is a good day to be kind to our military, their families, and the memory of the soldiers we have lost. Additional programs will be held in our community this weekend. On Sunday at 1:00 pm, the “Dogs of War” will be honored at the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter and on Monday at 10:00 am, the VFW will hold a ceremony at Panorama Gardens, and at noon, another service on the Court House lawn.