Veterans from across Johnston County gathered together at Smithfield-Selma High (SSS) for the Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 21st annual Veterans Day Celebration. The yearly celebration is a student-led event that includes the JCPS All-County Band, All-County Chorus, and All-County JROTC. The event provides the perfect platform for veterans and youth who aspire to be service men and women to demonstrate their mutual love for the country and each other.
Johnston County Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts greeted the veterans with small American flags, and JROTC cadets provided programs, silk poppies, and commemorative pins. As part of the celebration, members of All-County Band and All-County Chorus performed traditional patriotic pieces that included each armed forces division’s theme song. As each branch’s anthem was played, the veterans stood with dignity as the crowd applauded their service.
Also, JROTC cadets from Clayton High, Cleveland High, Corinth Holders High, North Johnston High, Smithfield-Selma High, South Johnston High, and West Johnston High performed various routines, including the presentation of flags and a pass and review. Clayton JROTC Cadet Ensign Xander Balderrama and Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Andrew Miller wowed the crowd with an impressive and precise armed exhibition drill.
“It warmed my heart to witness the reverence displayed by our band, chorus, and JROTC students and staff throughout the event,” K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Specialist Sarah Fawn McLamb said. “The respect shown by all of our student participants was remarkable, unprecedented, and certainly worth commending. I am incredibly proud of every one of them."
For Clayton JROTC Lieutenant Commander Ezekiel Balderamma, the event is one that he looks forward to more and more, and its meaning has evolved each year. “At my first Veterans Day celebration, I looked at it as a way to serve the community. Now I see it as a learning opportunity,” Balderamma said. “I get to see veterans from the community and meet others who have gone through what I want to go through. There are a lot of individuals who’ve done just that, were very successful at it, and lived to tell the tale,” he added.
The ceremony included a moving tribute to prisoners of war (POW) and those missing in action (MIA). Located by the stage front was the POW/MIA Chair of Honor, which carries deep symbolism meant to honor U.S. service members who were captured, missing, or unaccounted for during military service. Cadet Command Sergeant Major Amber Trast and Major Lilah Contreras, both cadets of the West Johnston High JROTC, placed the memorial wreath while band members Gavin Jennings of Cleveland High and Daniel Sullivan of Clayton High played Echo Taps.
This year’s celebration included a Q&A with two of Johnston County's remarkable veterans. Colonel Sherrill Stevens, a World War II veteran, and Colonel Rudy Baker, a Vietnam veteran, answered questions composed by JROTC cadets. These local heroes shared their experiences and insights with the veterans in attendance and the future generations of service men and women. Colonel Stevens and Colonel Baker also autographed photos of themselves for cadets and the public alike as a commemorative token.
Once the ceremony ended, the veterans and their families were invited to the cafeteria for a traditional Thanksgiving-style meal. As they made their way, they were greeted with a hero’s welcome as cadets from each high school JROTC division lined the hallways, clapping and cheering. JCPS School Nutrition Services served approximately 650 meals to honor the men and women veterans of Johnston County.
Each year, JCPS strives to ensure that each generation understands the importance of Veterans Day and values the sacrifices made by those deserving of the recognition. The district strategically provides many opportunities for student involvement in all grade levels. One of the most heartfelt displays of appreciation is provided by JCPS kindergarten students, who provide hundreds of personal colored pages, which often include personalized notes of gratitude.
“Each year, the event continues to improve, and I truly believe this is largely due to the collaborative approach we (JCPS) take in planning it," stated McLamb. "The partnership between the various departments reflects the respect our entire community has for our veterans, and it is clear that we are all committed to showing them the honor and recognition they so deeply deserve."
Retired Army Veteran Mike Talley and his young grandson, Justin Talley, attended the celebration together again this year. Talley comes from a military family that includes a long list of veterans. He also has a grandson, Evan Talley, who is a Navy JROTC cadet at Clayton High School and participated in the event. Cadet Talley plans to enlist after graduation, and the younger Talley also intends to enlist in the military as soon as he turns 18. “It’s a very proud moment when they want to continue the family tradition,” Talley said.
Talley and hundreds of veterans attended the annual Veterans Day Celebration to show their respect to all veterans. “This is a day of honor and remembrance of the veterans who went into the military. It makes no difference what branch they represent; we’re all one big family of brothers and sisters,” he remarked.
Johnston County Public Schools is honored to show appreciation to Johnston County veterans and looks forward to another exciting event in 2026.
