By Holly Nine
Veterans Day is a day that was originally set on November 11, 1918, as a legal U.S. holiday to honor the end of World War I. Veterans Day is formerly known as Armistice Day. In 1954, the United States had been through both World War II and the Korean War, and Armistice Day was changed to Veteran’s Day to honor all veterans. Veterans Day honors all military service members but it is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military.
Clay County High School, as well as the CCMS and all four elementary schools in Clay County set aside time to host a Veterans Day program to show their honor and respect for the veterans in our county as well as around the rest of the state, country and world. At the beginning of the ceremony, six current seniors at Clay County High School who have already pledged themselves to join a branch of the Armed Services led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Those six pledges were Blake Belcher, Jordan Daniels, Austin Quinn, Austin Rose, Nathaniel Rose and Kyle Salisbury. The band played the National Anthem and the mixed chorus/spectrum sang Thank you Soldiers and then Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones later on in the ceremony. Ray Nichols, an Air Force Veteran, from Lizemore here in Clay County sang “God Bless the USA.”
Gayle Brown with our local VFW Post 4419 spoke. VFW Post 4419 is very active in our community and our school systems when possible and for the past 44 years, VFW members have been present at football games to raise the flag. Out of those 44 years, Mr. Brown could only recall one time that the flag was not raised due to weather, but they were still present.
Afterwards, a video was shown that had a photo of every CCHS graduate that stated which war they served in, and their graduation year from CCHS. The Senior Class gathered to give The America’s Creed, as well as a candle light service for all of the Clay County residents who had been killed in action.
Here is a list of those killed in action, by war.
World War I
Killed in action
1. Thomas K. Adkins
2. Thomas Buckner
3. Jack d. Chapman
4. David Jo Cochran
5. James R Cox
6. Jerry P Downey
7. George W. Elliott
8. Robert Frazier
9. John Virgil Gibson
10. Quantrell C Hart
11. Richard Johnson
12. William Knotts
13. Floyd Lyons
14. Anderson Nicholas
15. Lawrence Osburn
16. Carrington M Price
17. James W Ramsey
18. James Elliott Reed
19. Joseph S. Truman
20. Okey Vaughan
21. Stanton Whittington
World War II
Killed in Action
1. Albert B. Adkins
2. Homer J. Adkins
3. Phillip T. Ammar
4. Albert W. Baker
5. Hansel Bragg
6. Clifford L. Braley
7. Alfred L. Brook
8. Leland B. Brown
9. William H. Butcher
10. Fred C. Cogar Jr.
11. Clarence C. Comer
12. Clarence Cottrell
13. Dencil P. Cunningham
14. Albert E. Cutlip
15. Richard R. Davis
16. John Buck Dorsey
17. John S. Downey
18. Ralph Fitzwater
19. Cluster G. Gillispie
20. Clifford R. Hall
21. Dane H. Hamric
22. James H. Hamrick
23. Manuel E. Happeney
24. Elbin J. Hensely
25. Laco H. Jarvis
26. Burman G. Jones
27. Johnny B. Jones
28. Ozro B. Jones
29. Carl L. Keller
30. Cleo C. Laurence
31. Glen M. Laurence
32. Berlin Linkinoggor
33. Frank Marling
34. Raymond Mollohan
35. Lester L. Neal
36. Ray J. Nottingham
37. Leon S. Paxton
38. Wiley G. Price
39. Luster B. Reedy
40. Luz G. Rogers
41. Norvall L. Runnion
42. Elmer L. Salisbury
43. Fenton Samples
44. Abraham C. Sams
45. Henry K. Schoonover
46. John B. Sears
47. Fred A. Shamblin
48. Carrey K. Stockwell
49. Thomas H. Strickland
50. Clarence F. Taylor
51. Robert L. Vance
52. Arthur R. Walker
53. Hubert B. Williams
54. Samuel T. Wilson
Korean War
Killed in Action
1. Harry R. Dobbins
2. Wilbur C. Eagle
3. George P. Fields
4. Orlan J. Fulks
5. Flavy C. Hamrick
6. Harry L. Knotts
7. Basil Linkinoggor
8. Myles L. Mullins
9. Alfred L. Neal.
Vietnam War
Killed in Action
1. Darrius Wayne Adams
2. Charles Arthur Barrett II
3. Earnest Ray Blankenship, Jr.
4. Ronald Lee Brown
5. Eugene Dawson
6. Stuart Glen Hostetter
7. John Howard Jones
8. James Lee Keener
9. Philip Larry Nichols
10. William Paul Rogers, Jr.
11. Wilber Allen Smith
Operation Enduring Freedom
Killed in Action (war in Afghanistan)
1. Jamie Scott Nicholas
