THS honors veterans
Related Photos
Keynote Speaker, Lt. Colonel Larry Thompson shakes hands with a THS student, following his address to the student body at the Veterans Day Assembly, Nov. 9. Photo by Steve Hansen.
HS Principal, Bev Thompson and Keynote Speaker, Lt. Colonel Thompson pose in front of a flag balloon, designed by the student body, along with members of the community who attended the Veterans Day Assembly at THS, Nov. 9. Photo by Steve Gillam
THS student, Shannon Evans shakes hands with a Veteran, honored at the Veterans Day Assembly, Nov. 9. Photo by Kim Smith
It was an incredible afternoon, as Tehachapi High School students gave thanks to our veterans, at the annual Veteran's Day program.
The program, which has been in effect for five years, was full of enthusiasm, patriotism and heart warming respect.
As veterans filed through the doors of the auditorium, they were greeted by a warm round of applause and patriotic decorations that covered every inch above the bleachers, including the Statue of Liberty, a huge flag made of red, white and blue balloons, and posters, ment to honor America's heroes.
The veterans were then introduced individually, before keynote speaker Lt. Colonel Larry Thompson, retired U.S. Marine Corps, and husband to Tehachapi High Principal, Bev Thompson, addressed the crowd.
Lt. Colonel Thompson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, on Feb. 15, 1968, and while in boot camp, applied for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and was selected to attend Officer Candidate School.
He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Dec. 5, 1968, and received his army helicopter pilot's wings in March of 1970, just one month prior to receiving his gold Marine Aviator wings.
Flying several combat missions involving medi-vac, troop lifts, insertion and extraction of recon teams, re-supply and administrative hops,
Lt. Colonel Thompson was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal with Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
It's been said before and worth repeating, Tehachapi kids are incredible!
