Decade-old tradition makes a comeback to Preston Middle
KINGWOOD — A decade-old tradition was brought back Tuesday to Preston Middle School.
Principal Paul Martin said the school’s Veterans’ Assembly couldn’t be held last year due to COVID. He said this year, the school reached out to veterans in the community on social media and by information sent home with students.
“This is one of my favorite activities,” Martin said. “It’s a ceremony to honor all of the veterans in our community. It’s our first activity since COVID.”
Martin said he believes the veterans assembly is important. He said it helps students understand the commitment the men and women who serve make and what they have given to their country.
“We’re excited to have some normalcy and be able to have this,” Martin said. “It’s been two years since we’ve been able to have an assembly.”
Veteran George Shaffer was one of the veterans in attendance. He is a Vietnam veteran who served in the Navy as a machinist’s mate.
“I’m here to pay tribute to my father, my father-in-law and my brother,” he said. “My father, Earl Shaffer and my father-in-law Robert Born served in World War II. My brother Howard served in Vietnam. All three are gone now.”
Major John Mulledge, a logistics officer, said he served 32 years in the Army and is still serving in the Reserves.
“I deployed to Iraq in 2003, and I am going back to Iraq in January 2022 for 10 months,” he said.
World War II Army veteran Harvey Smith said he didn’t like to talk too much about his service.
“I served 25 years with a lot of great people,” he said.
The assembly began with the Preston High JROTC presentation of the colors, followed by Martin announcing the names of the veterans present at the assembly.
Next came Mike Shaffer and the Central Preston Band playing the Star Spangled Banner and student Nathan Adams giving a veterans’ appreciation speech. Next was a veterans slide show, and Hillary Barlow and the Central Preston Choir singing a medley of U.S. Armed Forces songs. Linkoln Barger closed the presentations.
Each veteran was given a “Thank You For Your Service” card made by the students.
Following the assembly, a three-volley salute was performed by the Preston County Honor Guard. Veteran Bill Benson explained the meaning of the salute at military funerals.
The three-volley salute stands for duty, honor and sacrifice. The three-rifle volley consists of no less than three and no more than seven rifles firing three volleys in memory of the fallen. Typically, three fired cartridges are placed into the folded flag prior to presentation to the next of kin.
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