A salute to the military and pops concert was held at The Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center last Thursday. Members of the local National Guard Unit, Bravo Battery 2-114 Field Artillery (Kosciusko Unit) family and friends were honored upon their return from service in Kuwait.
Military personnel (retired) participating were Ryan Lindsay, Gene Dismuke, Paul Gundy, Bill Walker, Frank Shaw, Donny Sims, Jack Holmes, James Malone and David White.
After Ryan Lindsay spoke about why the military is often honored in relation to Independence Day, he introduced Captain Joshua Carmichael, who commanded the Bravo Battery when they recently served in Kuwait.
“You should be very proud of your soldiers in Bravo Battery,” he told the audience. “I would put them up against all other unites, both National Guard and active duty.”
Musicians participating are Ann Carter and Lynn Wiggers, BJ Jenkins, Shelby Jones, Lawrence Routt, Robert Pickle and Maci Steed, Jackie Winters, Gary Cochran and Lauren McCool and the Liberty Kids.
Refreshments were enjoyed outside following the event, furnished by Prairie Farms.
Retired servicemen Bill Walker, left, and Jack Holmes, right, chat with Anne Hughes Porter, one of the annual event organizers before things got underway.
Flutist Lynn Wiggers, pictured, and pianist Ann Carter, played the interlude that opened the event at the Mary Ricks Thorton Cultural Center Thursday night.
Captain Joshua Carmichael, left, who led Bravo Battery overseas, talked about the local soldiers’ recent mission after Ryan Lindsay, right, explained why the military is often honored in relation to Independence Day.
Ryan Lindsay assists Bill Walker from the stage following “Taps.”
Gary Cochran played a rousing rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land,” and explained it was the songwriter’s answer to the popularity of Kate Smith’s “God Bless America.”
The Liberty Kids, coached by Lauren McCool, sang “God Bless America.” They are, front row from left, Jennie Clay Dew, Fowler McCool and Lolly McCool, and back row from left, Dottie Dew, Mac McCool and Hazel Warrington.
Shelby Jones played a couple of classical selections on piccolo.
Jackie Winters sang “Walk Around Heaven All Day.”
Cousins Robert Pickle, a KHS ninth-grader, and Macey Steed, an FCA eleventh-grader, played and sang The Beatles’ “Yesterday.”
BJ Jenkins got a sing-along going with “Happy.”
Chancery Clerk Gerry Taylor, right, helps his grandson get an after-event treat.
