By: Tammy Curtis, Managing Editor
Cave City Middle School History Club will be hosting a Bingo Night and Chili and Soup Supper Fund-raiser to help the students make the trip to Washington, D.C. The event will beheld on Feb. 25, be-ginning at 5 p.m. with Bingo and the Chili/Soup Supper beginning at 6 p.m. in the Cave City Middle School Cafeteria. This fundraiser provides students with educational experiences they may not other-wise be able to make to our nation’s capitol. Each year, Mrs. Trish Turnbough and other sponsors take the students from the history club to Washington D.C. to be able to experience the historical sites. Seventh through ninth grade students get to make the trip on Spring Break every other year, they have been a part of the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Last year, 11 students from Trish Turnbough’s History Club in grades seventh through ninth were able to made the trip March20-23In order to be able to make the trip in their eighth grade year, the group begins conducting various fundraisers as soon as they become members of the History Club. The Chili and Soup Supper is just one of the two year long fundraising efforts that will help students travel next spring. Turnbough said the trip is very expensive. She loves to be able to chaperone with others and provide the once in a lifetime experience for her students and begins organizing the trip over a year in advance. She has to undergo many behind the scenes preparations from itinerary planning to gaining proper permissions and seeking flight prices. She said the reality of the efforts hit hard when tears rolled down her face as she went through Arlington National Cemetery for the first time. The bleached white tomb-stones against a green grass background brings to light the sheer volume of soldiers, sailors and marines who died in service to this country. Last March, Turnbough was lucky enough to take her students on the fifth trip, but said, regardless the emotion is always there. Turnbough has a passion for not only teaching but also history and veterans. She loves to see her students experience the history they have learned about in the classroom. Seeing them benefit from two years of hard work and fundraising culminates on the day they arrive in D.C. To be chosen as one of the students who receives the honor or laying a wreath on the tomb, they must submit an essay on the theme “Why I Want to Participate in the Wreath Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.” A group of former teachers selects the recipients from all essays sub-mitted and the top four are chosen. To lay the wreath is an honor that was taken very seriously by the group. Last year, Mason Simmons, Landon Farris, Eli Higgin-bottom and Elizabeth Winey were selected to participate in the ceremony. 38people from the Cave City group were present for the honor at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Tomb of the Un-known Soldier stands a top a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. On March 4,1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater. Sculpted into the white marble tomb are panels, the East panel faces the city and contains three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory and Valor. The six wreaths, three sculpted on each side, represent the six major campaigns of World War I. Inscribed on the back of the Tomb are the words “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God. ”The Tomb was placed above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. West of the World War I Unknown soldiers are the crypts of unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The remains of the Vietnam Unknown Soldier were exhumed May 14,1998. Based on mitochondrial DNA testing, scientists identified the remains as those of Air Force 1stLt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down near An Loc, Vietnam, in 1972.It has been decided that the crypt that contained the remains of the Vietnam Unknown shall remain vacant. Public wreath laying ceremonies take place daily at the Tomb and require a long advanced wait and strict permissions. The Unknown Soldiers laid to rest at the Tomb represent all missing and unknown service members who made the ultimate sacrifice – they not only gave their lives, but also their identities to protect these freedoms. Another historical activity the last year’s group was able to witness was the Changing of the Guard. The Guard is changed every thirty minutes during the summer and every hour during the winter. There are three reliefs, each having one relief commander and about six sentinels. The three reliefs are divided by height so that those in each guard change ceremony look similar. During the hours the cemetery is closed, the guard is changed every two hours. The Tomb is guarded, and has been every minute since April 6, 1948.It was the majority of the students first time to on an airplane, others rode a bus and some families drove. This chili and soup fundraiser is vital to the club. Turnbough has already began working on scheduling. Prior approvals for destinations have to be submitted well in advance, including the White House, which requires 18months advance approval .They were not able to tour the White House or Capitol last year, but were able to stop at both locations for photo opportunities. Turnbough said they never know whether or not they are approved until a few weeks before the trip. Last year’s group toured Mount Vernon, the National Mall, Capitol, White House, various Smithsonian Museums and Ford’s Theatre. In order to be in the History Club, Simmons explained students must maintain good grades and are also chosen on the basis of their good conduct. Turnbough’s History Club also presents one of the area’s largest Veteran’s Day recognition ceremonies each year on Veteran’s Day at the school, where club members are also speakers, greeters and ushers. Turnbough’ a heart is with veterans and history and it shines through in many of her past awards and accolades. She also serves on the board with her husband Ed. The group with the help of the Turnbough’s were able to establish a Veterans Memorial area in Cave City that is a beautiful addition to the pocket park. Everyone has to cook supper or pay to eat out, so why not come out and support a great cause with some good winter food at the Cave City Middle School Cafeteria. The cost is $10 for the meal and four games of Bingo, $7 per bowl with a drink and desert provided and $1 for each Bingo game. The meal includes chili or soup with crackers or Fritos, tea, water and a desert.
srchronicle11