Miguel Simmonds (clockwise around flag from left), Wright Gunter, Gary Wilburn, Clete Wilson, Larry Davis, and Taylor Echols fold the American flag during the observance of Veterans Day at W-WCHS. Veterans Day was celebrated in the Wilkes County schools on Friday, November 10.

In preparation for the day, student volunteers practiced learning to properly fold the flag. They were instructed by VFW Post 5899 Commander Floyd Higgins, a disabled Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam; and Henry Anderson, retired Navy veteran with more than 24 years of service, including Vietnam, Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

The Veterans Day programs began Friday morning with Higgins appearing on K-TV at the Washington Wilkes Primary School where everyone joined in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Coloring sheets were given to 525 students in kindergarten through the third grade. Grades one through three received bookmarks. One hundred pre-kindergarten and 126 kindergarten students will receive certificates for learning to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The veterans visited all five of the pre-kindergarten classes at the Washington-Wilkes Elementary School, joining one class for the pledge of allegiance and answering questions about veterans and the flag. One hundred coloring sheets had already been distributed earlier in the week to the pre-kindergarten classes and they were proud to show their talent. Students in grades four and five received activity sheets and bookmarks.

VFW Post 5899 Auxiliary President Jeannette Dozier joined the programs at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School where a flag folding ceremony was demonstrated for each of the five lunch seatings. Student volunteers folded the flag as the meaning of each fold was read by VFW member Debbie Anderson.