Two words that aren’t said enough: Thank you
On Memorial Day – or if you prefer, Decoration Day – Americans pause to honor those heroic men and women who we cannot personally thank. These men and women are the Marines, soldiers, sailors, Coast Guardsmen and airmen who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we enjoy every day.
On Memorial Day, Americans ought to not only honor those fallen heroes, but also think of their respective families who have sacrificed, too. For these military families, every day is Memorial Day.
On Memorial Day, Judy McCray has often read “The Symbols for the Folds of the Flag” at the Highland County Courthouse ceremony. The first three folds are as follows: “The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life; the second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life; and the third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.”
On Memorial Day 2018, let us not forget that third fold. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day, and please pause if only for a moment to appreciate those who have made it possible.
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In addition to thanking America’s veterans on this Memorial Day, it’s also a good time for me to share some belated words of personal appreciation to some special people.
• First up, is a most belated thank-you to Bright Local School District Superintendent Ted Downing, the Bright Local School Board and the Ohio School Boards Association for recognition of The Highland County Press for our “fair and balanced education reporting and exemplary service to our community.”
• OSU Extension Educator Kathy Bruynis followed the Bright Local recognition with a Friend of 4-H Award to The Highland County Press.
• Then, last month, just as I was really getting used to the beaches at Gulf Shores, Ala., I received an email from Brandon Streitenberger, vice president of the Greenfield Exempted Village Education Association (GEVEA). And what a pleasant surprise it was.
“Every year, GEVEA (Greenfield Exempted Village Education Association) presents the Friend of Public Education Award,” Mr. Streitenberger wrote. “This year, we have selected you, based on The Highland County Press’ extensive coverage of our county schools, students and student-athletes over the years. It is also based on The HCP's early and continued reporting on ECOT and other failed for-profit charter schools which have cost taxpayers and our local schools millions of dollars.”
I replied that the recognition is overwhelming and greatly appreciated, but it is not necessary that the Greenfield Exempted Village Education Association do this. Our staff just tries to do what a local community newspaper should do.
In spite of my many flaws, The HCP staff works hard to put the community ahead of any self-interests. Yes, they make this old guy look much better than he is.
Thank you, Greenfield Exempted Village Education Association. It is truly appreciated.
• Another very pleasant surprise came via a letter from the Lynchburg-Clay Future Farmers of America (FFA) just prior to the end of the 2017-18 academic year. The LC FFA wanted to recognize The Highland County Press at its annual banquet in May.
Even more surprising was a very nice visit by Agriculture Education Instructor/FFA Advisor Stacie D. Rhonemus and three of her FFA students. They presented the Lynchburg-Clay FFA Chapter Honorary Degree to me last week. The degree was signed May 15 by Chapter President Kelsey Arnett and Ms. Rhonemus. Thank you very much.
Now, before any of you laugh too hard, to my credit, I was farming before Ms. Rhonemus and her FFA students were born. I’ve shared on occasion that I started raising tobacco in suburban Fairfax (Kirk Dickey knows!) when I was 5 years old. I also had the good sense that God gave a goose to get out of tobacco farming shortly thereafter.
Seriously, I enjoyed small-scale farming with my dad many years ago, and I'll always hold farmers in very high esteem. After all, I still like to eat.
• Speaking of eating, as last week was winding down ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, Jan Widman of Lynchburg brought the newspaper a batch of homemade cookies. This was her thanks for the newspaper publishing news about this year's Highland County Pilots Association's Young Eagles event at the Highland County Airport.
Thank you, Jan. The cookies were delicious.
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• Lastly, a special acknowledgment is extended to Coach Chris Veidt and the 2018 Div. IV Regional Champion Whiteoak Wildcats baseball team.
As reported by HCP sports editor Stephen Forsha, the 'Cats defeated the Eastern Eagles (Meigs County) by a 5-4 score on Friday, May 25 to advance to the state Final Four for the first time in school history. (In fact, to the best of my memory, this is the first time in many years that a county baseball team has reached the state Final Four.)
Whiteoak will play the Hicksville Aces at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 31 at Huntington Park, home of the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. In the 10 a.m. game May 31, the Fort Loramie Redskins will face the Trinity Trojans. The state title game will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2 at Huntington Park.
Congratulations again, Coach Veidt and all the Whiteoak Wildcats on a most memorable championship season. Best of luck on May 31 and June 2.
The 2018 Wildcats include: Michael Igo, Jaycob Gross, Chase Butler, Trever Yeager, Caleb West, Chase Carraher, Joey Oliver, Billy Oliver, Casey Nace, Evan Brill, Mason Lehr, Brayden Yeager, Ty Large, Ryan Roberts, Kyler Emery, Traeten Hamilton and Zach Harless, and Coaches Chris Veidt, John Combs and D.J. O'Cull.
For a video of the Wildcats' Division IV regional victory, go to: http://www.highlandcountypress.com/Content/Default/Rotator-Articles-/Article/Whiteoak-Wildcats-are-state-bound-/-3/546/44567.
Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press – and a graduate of Whiteoak High School.