On Saturday, May 19, 2012, Armed Forces Day, the Lake View High School Marching Band hosted their first annual All American Celebration. The event kicked off at 5:30pm with a festival full of food, vendors and games and free ice cream for the kids. This year’s theme was Celebrating our freedom as we honor those who made it possible. After spending the afternoon renewing old acquaintances and enjoying community interaction it was time for the All American Celebration Presentation to begin. At 7:00pm the presentation began appropriately with the Pledge of Allegiance lead by the LVHS Drum Major, Brittany Ford and the National Anthem performed by the LVHS Marching Band under the direction of Mr. Akeem Downs, Band Director.
The Honorable Judge James E. Lockemy, shared the importance of honoring our military and the sacrifices they have made over the history of out great country, as he expounded on the farewell address of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the letter (which has been called “the most famous document in Texas history”) of South Carolinian and hero of the Alamo, William Barret Travis. Following Judge Lockemy and the powerful words honoring our soldiers, each branch of the military were recognized as their songs were played and their flags were presented by James Leslie and the Veteran Honor Guard. At the conclusion of presenting of the military flags the MIA/POW flag was presented in honor of those soldiers who are Missing In Action and Prisoners of War followed by a moment of silence. The Community Kids Choir, representing Lake View First Baptist, Dillon Church of God and Union AME, showed their patriotism as they sang “You’re a Grand Ole Flag’. The
recitation of “The Ragged Old Flag” by Judge Lockemy reminded us of the many battles that “Old Glory” has seen and pride that we should take in seeing her still wave today. The Dillon JROTC Team performed a beautiful ceremony of retiring an American flag, a ceremony that few among the crowd had ever experienced. While the retired flag continued to burn, TAPS was performed by Mr. Akeem Downs.
Judy Herring with the Woodmen of the World presented a flag to the LVHS Marching Band to replace the flag that had been retired. James Leslie and the Veteran Honor Guard received the new flag and performed a beautiful flag folding ceremony. As the Lake View Community Choir sang “God Bless the USA”, under the direction of Mrs. Jean Smith; the LVHS Marching Band and the Dillon High School JROTC Team unfolded and suspended a 50 ft. flag on the football field. Miss Temeka Green, LVHS Marching Band Member and Palmetto Girls State Representative spoke of her experience at Girls State and the passion for history that the experience began in her, and then she recited the Preamble to the Constitution. In closing Rev. Haywood Proctor, Interim Pastor at Kemper Baptist Church commented on the grace of God and the blessing bestowed on our great country, followed by prayer.
The LVHS Marching Band finished the All American Celebration by playing an inspiring arrangement of “Amazing Grace” followed by the release of 50 balloons representing the 50 states that make up One Nation Under God.
The Lake View High School Marching Band would like to thank the many volunteers and business that made this event such a huge success. Special thanks to Don Luehrs Master of Ceremonies.
The awards were given to the winners of the Lake View Schools Armed Forces Day Art Contest.
Winners were as follows: Ne’Asia Cross 1st grade, Brixton Scott 2nd grade, Braxton Demery 3rd grade, Allyson Tyndall 4th grade, NaKayla Alford 5th grade, Brianna Campbell 6th grade, April Grey 7th grade. Honorable Mention: Rhonda Page, Michael Jiron, Dezirae Anderson, Jamie Altman, Daniel Dale, Datron Jones.