This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the November 18, 2010 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.

            I am writing this as I anticipate the activities that will take place on Veterans Day November 11^th.  The DAV members have already visited several of our schools this week and we have the Magoffin County High School event to look forward to yet.

            On Tuesday morning we visited the North Magoffin Elementary school and, with the students in grades Kindergarten through 6^th grade, pledged allegiance to the flag.  The student body then sang the National Anthem.  At the assembly in the gym we were entertained by presentations from the students.  It was awesome for me to see the room brim full of young people and I was impressed with how well behaved they were and how talented.  Principal Jill Howard and her staff are to be commended.

            The Senior Citizens group invited us to lunch that day.  Marlene, the cooks and all the ladies made us feel so welcome.  We appreciated the kindness and congeniality as well as the wonderful lunch.

            Afterwards we traveled to South Magoffin Elementary school and were greeted by Principal Mark Rice and his staff who treated us to snacks before and after the program!!  We think we may have gained a few pounds!! 

            As the whole student body gathered for the Veterans program we were inspired and pleased with their talents and greatly enjoyed being with them.  We congratulate all the staff and student body for a wonderful program.  We certainly have students with outstanding abilities in our school system and it is a pleasure to see and be with them.

            We visited the Herald Whitaker Middle School on Wednesday morning and were rewarded again with a reception from this enthusiastic group of young adults.  Several of the students sang special songs and there were several groups singing patriotic songs.

            After this exceedingly pleasant program we went to visit Comrade Paul C. Lemaster at his home as he has been on the sick list lately.  It was good to see him and we hope that he soon will be back with our group helping with the work of the DAV Chapter 15.

            A visit to the Salyersville Grade School followed and their fifth grade students came through with flying colors, singing patriotic songs and reading essays about their kinsmen in the military or who gave their all in the line of duty. Some of the students had kinsmen who are presently serving on the battlefield.  We were privileged to see again the S. T. L. P. Club’s Salute to Hometown Heroes slide show made a couple of years ago.  If the students got as much enjoyment as we did from our visit then it was a great success.  Little Trenton Reed gave a very impressive closing prayer.

            We will report on the Magoffin County High School program next week.  All these Veterans Days events have been under the direction of the DAV with the Sesquicentennial Committee and our historical society joining in to honor all veterans up to the present day, especially those who saw service during World War II, living or dead. 

            We here at the historical society have devoted a great many hours in getting a list of service casualties, those missing in action, etc. into print.  It is a difficult task as many of our soldiers who were born in this county went into service out of county or state.  In addition, we also had several who were born elsewhere but whose discharge papers are lodged in our county.  A few weeks ago we reported on a few of our soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice during their time of service and this has brought on several telephone calls and visits to our library of those who have helped bring to our attention other soldiers who also lost their lives that enable us to enjoy the many freedoms that we have.  We appreciate all those who are helping in this venture of making these lists and invite you to continue to help us do so as we want to remember all who served and especially those who died while serving. We should be ever mindful of the great sacrifices they and their families have made.  This Veterans Day series of programs was designed to especially honor the veterans of World War II and the intention is to spotlight the Korean War veterans in 2011 and the Vietnam veterans in 2012 but remember that any and all veterans are always welcome and urged to attend any of these ceremonies.