Veterans Day has been celebrated since 1954 on November 11. On that day Fredericktown Schools held a celebration. This year’s speaker was Emily Tharp, a 1997 graduate of Fredericktown High School. She is the first female commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard’s only shipyard and their largest industrial facility. Tharp has conducted missions in the Antarctic. Arctic, Florida Keys, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific Ocean, and Panama Canal. She’s earned three Coast Guard Meritorious Services Awards, three Commendation Medals and one Achievement Medal plus the American Society of Naval Engineers Perry Award.
Starting at 8:30 am inviting veterans to enjoy a light breakfast of donuts and coffee. An assembly with 5-12 also included student readers Ruthie Walsh, Elisha McGuckin, and Addie Keener. These students read veteran letters sent to family members during combat.
The FHS band played The Marches of The Armed Forces and the choir sang both the “National Anthem” and “My Country Tis of Thee”.
At this year’s recognition the veterans that attended were Howard Miller (1953-1955)-Army, Paul James (1952-1954)-Army, Steve Tharp (1971-1973)-Navy, Jim Gerbasi (1982-190)-Navy, John W. Singrey (1970-1975)-Army, Ed Morris (1974-1994)-Air Force, Terry Lee (1965-1980)-Navy, David Lee (1988-1999)-Navy.
Jim Singrey (1971-1977)-Army & Army Reserves, Will Hartley (1995-1997)-Army, Mickey Cochran (1965-1968)-Navy (1976-1983)-Army Guard, Ronaldo Sanchez (1997-2023)-Army, Haley Sanchez (2003-2006)-Army, Aaron Alfruy (199-2003)-Army (2006-2009)-National Guard, Stephanie Broseus (2006-2018)-Army, Ron Riel (1975-1978)-Army 5 years: 2 in res.
Ronald E. Hopkins (2000-2020)-Army, Tamara Hubb (1982-1985)-Army (1985-1994)-Navy, George M. Hess III (1998-2013)-Army, Brian Fisher (1995-2003)-Army, Dimitri Joerger (1992-1996)-Army, Mike Blanchard (1975-1977)-Army, Rick Kettell (1972-1976)-Air Force, Matt O’Harra (2007-2019)-Army.
Michael Link (1967-1971)-Navy, Rollie Kanavel (1971-1988)-Air Force, Luke Kanavel (2001-Current)-Air Force, James Miller (1994-2000)-Navy, Kristain Mejia (1995-2014)-Air Force, Mike Brake (1988-1992)-Marine Corps, Jim Wagner (1969-1970)-Army.
Gary D. Alverson (1970-1978)-Air Force C141A Crew Member, Donald E. Shaffer (1966-1968)-Army, David Merrin (1971-2003)-Army N.G. & Active Army, Emily Tharp (2021-Current)- Coast Guard Captain, Garry Wagner (1966-1970)-Air Force
