Prior to Friday night’s home game Newton County Academy put on a pregame celebration of American military service veterans that rivaled shows in much larger venues all because Ashley Bunyard’s father taught her long ago the definition of patriotism.
Bunyard, who earlier this year began serving as the NCA cheerleader sponsor, began thinking about a program to honor veterans like her deceased father. She planned free admission to a game for veterans and a special pregame program including fireworks and music. Then, after attending the State Games of Mississippi Bunyard met members of the All-American Skydiving team. This chance encounter led her to asking the team to “drop in” on the special event.
“I have a great love for vets. My dad (Brent Jackson, a retired 82nd Airborne paratrooper and former NCA counselor) was the biggest patriot I know. All my life he lived by God, family, and country. He really lived it, and he taught me love for our country and appreciation for our military.”
Without hesitation, the group agreed to help, and Bunyard had to keep a huge secret for several weeks before the team shocked the crowd by skydiving on to the field with the American flag amid cheers and fireworks while veterans watched from the end zone. The three skydivers, wearing borrowed NCA football jerseys, were the finale of a 20-minute program that began with a prayer and the national anthe, two activities that over the last few years have cause quite a bit of controversy. Then about 35 veterans seated in the end zone were asked to stand during the playing of their branch’s song. With no one taking a knee, lots of smiles and players shaking hands with the veterans, Bunyard hope the event was not only a special memory for the veterans, but also a learning event for students.
“It just seems (patriotism) has diminished. I just wanted to show these veterans how much they mean to all of us. I also hope it sparks a love of country in our children. I teach my children all the time that we are only one generation from our freedom from being extinct. I hope that we as parents and teachers spark that interest, and teach that it’s not ok to disrespect what others have sacrificed so much for.”
Gene Lee, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant and Vietnam veteran, wore his uniform shirt and stood alone as the only Marine Corp vet in attendance during the playing of the Marine Corp song. “It was really special. I’ve never had anything like this. Most just don’t care anymore. They don’t know what it means.”
Recently retired Mississippi Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Tony Collins, also an NCA alumnus, echoed many of Lee’s sentiments. “To know they put that much effort into this was really special. It felt good to sit here and see so may people and know that the school did that, especially for those guys that were in combat. I was really impressed. Everything was done right, and it was respectful.”
After the event was over and the crowd had responded so approvingly, Bunyard said someone asked her how she would top this year’s first time event.
“I’m not. Every ounce of the time and work was worth it. I had so much help in getting this together. It was all about them (veterans), and I’m so thankful we were able to honor them.”
