VHS Wounded Warrior Program
Versailles student honors those who have served
By Kathy Magoto

Friday, January 18th during the Versailles’ Varsity basketball game against Fort Recovery, the Versailles Cheerleaders hosted a patriotic tribute to honor those who have and are presently serving our country.  The student section and the tiger fans in attendance were dressed in red, white, and blue to say thank you to our armed forces. As a special thank you to the military all veterans who wore their service uniform to the game were admitted free of charge.  Four of the five military branches were recognized during the half time performance. (The fifth branch of the U.S Military is the Coast Guard which had no representative.) 

The Army was represented by Matthew Kelch. Retired military Colonel James Condon represented the Air Force, Alex Luthman for the Navy and Ralph Kunk for the Marines.  During the half time performance each of these four military branches on hand were escorted by a cheerleader while their branch song was played.  The veterans and active within the audience were invited to also stand and be recognized.  

The VFW Post #3849 and American Legion Post #435 both of Versailles were on hand for the ceremony to present the colors, under the leadership of Field Commander Mike Barga.   Rachel Hedrick, VHS cheerleader narrated the ceremony and spearheaded the event to honor past, present, and future United States Veterans, which included raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). Other key supporters included the Versailles Rotary Club, Patterson Patchers 4-H club, Busy Beavers 4-H club, Versailles FFA, Luke Osterloh Farms, and Tom Magoto Insurance. More than $500 was raised 

Wounded Warrior Project® serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families. Combined, over 48,000 servicemen and women have been physically injured in the recent military conflicts. 

Figures compiled this month indicated and estimated 50,405 wounded military. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment.  For more information you may visit WWP online at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org. You may also contact Rachel Hedrick with your personal donation. 

Also posted in Letters to the Editor: 

Thank you to Rachel Hedrick

Dave Miller 

Editor: 

The VFW and American Legion would like to thank Rachel Hedrick for the great half time show at the Versailles-Ft. Recovery basketball game. 

Rachel is a Versailles student and cheerleader.  She and her friends have taken on the task of collecting donations for the Wound Warrior Project. She has had some fundraisers and intends to continue fundraising for our soldiers who have been wounded while in service to their Country.   

She intends to have some programs this poultry day. 

The Versailles Veterans support her and her mission, because our soldiers deserve all we can do. We need to show our military that we will be there for them as they were there for all of us. 

One Vietnam in our history is enough.  We must proudly support our troops. If you would like to know how you can help Rachel or our soldiers feel free to call me. 

Dave Miller 937-526-3836