BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Keystone Heights High School celebrated Vietnam Veterans Day with a ceremony honoring local veterans.
Jeannie Blaylock of First Coast News organized the event. The evening anchor and winner of 26 Emmys said she began honoring Vietnam veterans after a trip to Normandy, where she reported on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. She then met with a group of Vietnam veterans.
“I said, I promise I’ll do something for you,” she said before the Keystone Heights event, recalling her meeting with the Vietnam service members. “Well, as I started learning their stories, I had already heard the disrespect they endured after returning, but I didn’t realize how pervasive it was. And when you sit and talk to these veterans, you realize that they never really felt honored.”
Blaylock added that she also realized younger generations needed to be educated about the Southeast Asian conflict.
Last year, Blaylock and fellow reporter Lewis Turner produced the documentary “Voices of Bravery,” coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the end of the conflict. Blaylock showed the documentary during the Keystone Heights event.
The anchor said she plans to take the program to 15 high schools and Flagler College throughout the spring.
KHHS principal Laurie Burke thanked the school’s JROTC program for producing the event.
Cadet Second Lieutenant Reagan Sames was the master of ceremonies, and Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Trista Harrison delivered the opening remarks. Cadet Captain Sylvia Hunter led the color guard.
Keystone Heights Mayor Nina Rodenroth told the crowd that her father is an Air Force veteran.
“My Dad completed two tours in Vietnam, all of which I stand here today with huge pride,” she said. “Having personally experienced the role that families like yourselves play when supporting your loved one and our country as their hometown team.”
“Let Freedom Ring,” she continued. “You’ll find it in the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. We have to fight to keep our freedoms. On behalf of the City of Keystone Heights, I’m honored to be your mayor.”
The school’s JROTC honored each veteran in attendance by inviting them to walk through the unit’s color guard while Sames described their tours of duty.
