By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
The Gadsden Job Corps Center held a Veterans Day program on November 11.
Veteran Greg Oliver did the introduction.
The Corps Security MILCAP presented the colors. After the pledge of Allegiance, DeAngelo Coleman sang the National Anthem. The corps recognized fallen soldiers with a rendition of Taps.
Bobby Williams read two poems, the first was “Because of You, Unknown Soldier” by Courtney Tanabe and the second was “Veterans Day” by Cheryl Dyson.
Robert Rollins honored the veterans that work at the center, including Harold Carpenter, Emily Carter, James Dubose, Shandal Foster, Jacob Gazaway, Scott Gibbs, Rick Henry, Reginald Lewis, Stephen Lowe, Greg Oliver, Dali Philips, Robert Rollins, Michelle Runkle and Vernessa Williams.
Harold Carpenter introduced the guest speaker, John Reed. Reed grew up in Anniston and graduated from Virginia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in political science. He served 28 years in the U.S. Army. He is currently employed by the State of Alabama Department of Labor as a representative for homeless and disabled veterans in Blount, Cherokee, Marshall, DeKalb, St. Clair and Etowah counties.
Reed talked about what veterans have done for us.
“The United States of America has deployed in service, men and women in some 325 different conflicts around the world from Argentina to Ziare to protect the citizen and their interests worldwide since 1776,” said Reed. “They are warriors, angels, guardians, friends, brothers, fathers, mothers and sisters forming a family that goes all the way back to the beginnings of our great nation.”
Reed went on to talk about how important it is to take care of veterans after all they have done for the citizens of the United States of America.
“Take care of the veteran, for they have taken care of us,” said Reed.
After Reed spoke, the students and staff sang “God Bless America” together.
Job Corps Center Director Juvenol Levros finished the program with some closing remarks imploring the students to demostrate the same self sacrifice that veterans have given.