Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
For its first participation in an official ceremony, the Pocahontas County High School Color Guard posted the colors at the Veterans celebration at PCHS November 8.
The Color Guard was organized by the Pocahontas County Veterans Honor Corps.
Seven members of the guard posted the American Flag, West Virginia Flag and military branch flags.
Several PCHS students joined the Color Guard for a variety of reasons, but mainly chose to be in the guard to show their support for their country and school.
“It’s in support of our country, to show our colors and show our pride,” freshman Bryce Kranc said.
Junior Philip Green agreed with Kranc and said “It’s a good program for the school.”
Brothers Ryan and Adam Irvine both joined because they are neighbors with Honor Corps Senior Vice Commander Harlan Whiting.
“It sounds pretty interesting to me and I’m all about trying new things,” PCHS freshman Ryan said. “The leader of the color guard is my neighbor and good friend.”
Adam, a junior, added that he appreciated Whiting’s request for the students to help the honor guard.
“It was just an honor that Mr. Harlan asked us to do it,” junior Adam said.
Other members are entering the armed forces after school and wanted to be a part of the Color Guard before they graduated.
“I’m actually about to go into the military this June,” junior Brice Galloway said. “I’m joining the Army.”
Junior Cary Robertson also plans to enter the military but he does not know which branch, as yet and he spoke about his involvement with the color guard.
“It brings pride to Pocahontas County,” he said.
Although many do not plan to join the military following graduation, some of them are children and grandchildren of Veterans.
“My dad was in the Marine Corps for twenty-four years,” junior Heather Pritt said.
The students take their duties very seriously. As they were adjusting their uniforms prior to the program, they were assisted by members of the Honor Corps who were pleased to see so many students interested in serving in the Color Guard.
After the students posted the colors, Whiting recognized the Veterans in attendance. Students in Sherman Taylor’s history class presented an American Flag poster with the title “Thank You Veterans,” signed by the student body.
Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com