ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Five Airmen from Ellsworth were among the group of first responders recognized at the 2nd Annual Patriot Day parade at Southwest Middle School Sept. 9, 2016 in Rapid City.
The parade, conducted by Southwest Middle School and Corral Drive Elementary School staff, consisted of approximately 1,000 students and faculty members as a way to give thanks to local first responders and military members for their service.
“Most of our students were not born until after Sept. 11, 2001, so they don’t really know what happened,” said Joann Beckman, a fifth grade teacher at Corral Drive Elementary. “Our theme for this year’s parade is Remember, Reflect and Unite. It serves as a reminder to our students that there are always people who are there to protect them, all day and every day.”
Beckman also mentioned it was important to hold this event as an upbeat parade, having the students honor those service members and first responders.
“It’s a great thing to be able to participate in an event like this,” said Capt. Korey Schultz, a B-1 bomber weapon systems officer assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron. “It means a lot to have such tremendous community support.”
In addition to the parade, Douglas Middle School in Box Elder also hosted their own Freedom Walk.
The event included a presentation of the flags, a speech from Col. Bernard Hatch III, commander of the 28th Maintenance Squadron, and ended with students and faculty members singing “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood.
“Currently, we have over 300 of our Airmen overseas right now supporting and defending the freedoms we enjoy here at home,” Hatch said. “They work tirelessly, day and night, against evildoers worldwide to make sure we’re safe back home.”