On most Saturdays, they might be sleeping in or playing video games, but this weekend, 166 Floyd Central and New Albany High School students marched nine miles in honor of Veterans Day.
Navy JROTC cadets from the two schools left Floyd Central High School Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and finished their march at the New Albany National Cemetery on Ekin Avenue.
Floyd Central sophomore Cameron Stickels says it is well worth it.
“You’re doing that to honor the tremendous sacrifice of veterans,” he said.
Retired Lt. Col. Benjamin Gipe said that when he returned in January 2008 from serving in Iraq on a special training mission, he and others in the ROTC program began thinking of ways to honor veterans. Students had previously gone to Lanesville for a similar march, and Gipe wanted to start one in Floyd County.
“How many high school kids do you see getting up on a Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to march nine miles in honor of those who sacrificed to give us our freedom?” Gipe said. “They are sacrificing a little for those who have sacrificed so much. That’s what this is about.”
The first march from Floyd Central took place last year. After hearing about the march, New Albany’s JROTC decided to join in the event this year.
“Instead of just being Floyd Central, we wanted it to be more of a Floyd County thing. It will help build both of our programs,” said New Albany JROTC Commander Joe Maynard.
New Albany Cadet Commander Rebecca Moses, whose father serves in the Army, said many students seemed excited to participate this year.
“I think it’s important for us to see a small part of the sacrifice veterans made,” she said.
The march had special significance for many students. About one-third of those marching said they had family members in the military.
NAHS senior Jack Cunningham, who has joined the Marine Corps, will be leaving for Parris Island this summer. He said it is important to support those who have already served.
Josh Kimbler, also a senior at NAHS, will be joining the Navy on Aug. 27. Kimbler said his father is a veteran and so he was always exposed to that life.
“I think it’s important to honor veterans,” he said. “They served our country so that we can have freedom.”
Floyd Central’s Cadet Commander Nathan Coleman, a senior, said after marching last year he was excited to do it again.
“We want to show our support for veterans, and it’s fun too,” he said. “People were driving by and were waving and honking their horns. It was a lot of fun.”
They were led by a United States flag that Gipe had in Iraq. After arriving at the National Cemetery, Coleman and Moses jointly placed a wreath at a fallen veteran’s headstone.
Gipe said the march will be an annual event at Floyd Central as long as he is there and is able to walk the nine miles. Students were allowed to take breaks for water, and anyone who could not march the entire distance was allowed to ride part of the way on one of the school buses that followed the marchers.
Gipe and Maynard say they are proud of their students for their willingness to participate.
“We have a lot of patriotic kids,” Maynard said.
Recent Local News
Related Photos
-
Staff photo by Jerod Clapp
-
Staff photo by Jerod Clapp
Discussion
WALK OF HONOR: Students march nine miles to honor veterans
- Recent Local News
-
-
Board chair: Parks district best solution for New Albany and Floyd County
Mayor Jeff Gahan’s veto of a new parks deal between the city and county was upheld earlier this month by the New Albany City Council. While the Floyd County Council agreed to still pay an additional $100,000 toward the parks department for the remainder of the year, the city and county remain under a prior agreement that led to funding discrepancies in the past.
-
THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
- Indiana man releases hostages, fatally shoots self
-
Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
- More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend
-
Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
- Police: Gunman has hostages in Indiana realty office
-
Delaware woman dies in I-65 crash
-
Collingsworth Family to perform at Silver Heights Retreat Center in New Albany
The Collingsworth Family will be making a return trip to the Silver Heights Retreat and Camp Center in New Albany on Thursday, June 7.
-
Clark County approves self-insurance plan
Clark County Insurance Agent-of-Record Diane Swank presented health insurance renewal options at the council meeting Monday, but the county’s fiscal body decided to recess its meeting in order to review a proposal to move the county to a self-insured plan.
-
New theater directors at NAHS and FCHS ready for their programs
As the curtain falls on the careers of the teachers who put the theater programs of Floyd Central and New Albany high schools on the map, the new blood coming in have big hopes for the programs they’re taking over.
-
Jeff to start enforcing insurance ordinances
A 2004 ordinance that dictates how much city retirees pay for health insurance – ignored for years by Jeffersonville officials – looks like it will now be enforced.
-
Top Gun showing Saturday at the New Albany riverfront
In honor of Memorial Day, the city of New Albany will show the movie “Top Gun” on its new 40-foot screen at the Riverfront Amphitheater Saturday.
- ISP arrests five at Clark County roadblock
- More Recent Local News Headlines
-
Board chair: Parks district best solution for New Albany and Floyd County
