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ZEBULON - The staff and students at Pike County Middle School have shown a tremendous amount of respect to our veterans in general and our Vietnam veterans in particular this Veterans Day. Thank you to all who showed our community what honor looks like in this ceremony held on Friday, November 1, 2013.

“More than 2.5 million veterans fought in the Vietnam War. More than 50,000 didn’t return home. And many of those who did, they were never welcomed home,” said Coach Mike McNutt. He called upon students to remember these soldiers, their service, and their sacrifices. This Veterans Day was a day to say thank you to Pike County’s Vietnam Veterans and say, “Welcome Home!”

Chief Warrant Officer Randall Pifer was the guest speaker at this event. He is a Pike County resident and his son Thomas was recognized with him. He spoke in a manner that was easy to understand and encourage the students that were in the audience that day. The students stood and applauded Vietnam veterans when he told these vets, “Thank you for a job well done… We will not forget you.”

Pifer told students of a desire and a longing for a military lifestyle even though there were roadblocks along the way. He told them that life is frequently hard and that they have to decide what they want to do. “Stay focused on desire and dream and keep working toward it [what you want to do]. Stay focused and keep working toward it… and you will fulfill the desire of your heart.” Working through roadblocks brought him to his desire for a career in the military that spanned 40 years.

The Soldier of the Year award was awarded to Sr. Chief Petty Officer Daniel Renado Dixon of the U.S. Navy. He was a 1991 graduate of Pike County High School and is currently serving in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has been named Sailor of the Year more than once and received four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals. His family was present to accept the award on his behalf.

The Veteran of the Year award was awarded to Staff Sgt. Joseph Dykes. He served six years in the U.S. Army working his way up from infantryman to infantry team leader and squad leader in the 3rd Ranger Battalion. He retired in 2008 after receiving gunshot wounds and a traumatic brain injury while serving in Iraq. He has received the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge, three Army Commendation medals, Army Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and other awards as well.

Students wrote about Americans and their willingness to risk their lives for our freedom and artists designed posters in honor of our veterans and their service. Awards given to the top three students.

The Griffin High School JROTC Drill Teams performed for students and veterans in attendance at this event. There was much clapping and encouragement as the Marching Rifles Male Drill Team and the Lady Rifles Drill Team showed why they have won so many awards in competitions around the state.

Georgia native and Nashville recording star Barry Michael sang his song, “Heroes and Angels” as a tribute to Vietnam Veterans. Michael praised the Pike County Middle School Veterans Day program and said, “You guys put on the best Veterans Day that I’ve seen.” He gave a special thank you to Vietnam veterans before he began his song. The words are shown in the article below. Click here to read more about Barry Michael.

The students and those visiting sang along with God Bless the USA and there were a lot of smiles as well as tears when students stood and saluted our veterans. The playing of Taps was a vivid reminder that many who left to go fight did not come home. They are remembered for their service too.

Assistant Principal Jeff Tharpe ended out the service by telling our veterans, "Thank you for not being ordinary. Thank you for being incredibly extraordinary. Thank you for being you."

ZEBULON - The Military History Club at Pike County Middle School is once again hosting its annual Veterans Day program. This year’s program will be held on Friday, November 1 at 9:30 a.m. in the gym at the middle school. This year’s program will have a special dedication to veterans of the Vietnam War. The Junior ROTC color guard from Griffin High School will present the colors. All veterans and their families are invited and encouraged to attend.

This program has steadily increased in popularity through the surrounding counties. Last year, over 100 veterans and community members attended the program. The Pike County Middle School Military History Club seeks to honor those who have served in the armed forces of the United States and to promote patriotism among students and the larger community.

Guest Speaker

Chief Warrant Officer Four Randall T. Pifer, Sr. began his military career in 1975 when he enlisted into the US Army. He completed Basic/Indirect Fire Infantry AIT at Ft. Polk, LA and served with distinction as an enlisted soldier before entering the Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviation Course at Ft. Rucker, AL in August of 1976. Upon graduation in May of 1977, Mr. Pifer served with C Company, 1st Battalion 24th Infantry as an air assault helicopter pilot. Mr. Pifer graduated with honors from both the US Air Force Aircrew Life Support Equipment Specialist and Supervisor Courses at Chanute AFB, IL and completed the US Army Jungle Warfare Operations Course in 1979. Mr. Pifer graduated from the AH-1G/S Cobra Advanced Qualification Course in 1980 before serving with C Company, 503rd Aviation as an attack helicopter pilot in Hanau, Germany. Mr. Pifer then served as a flight instructor in the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course at Ft. Rucker, AL before leaving active duty in 1984. Mr. Pifer entered the Florida Army National Guard in 1990 and served with 1st Battalion 111th Aviation Regiment (ATK HEL). Mr. Pifer graduated from the AH-64A Advanced Qualification Course in 1991 and served as an attack helicopter pilot. While in the FL ARNG, Mr. Pifer served as Company Maintenance Officer, and Tactical Operations Officer, while performing rotations to Egypt for Bright Star ’95, Kuwait for Operation Southern Watch, and Afghanistan for OEF V. Mr. Pifer completed the AH-64A Maintenance Test Pilot Course in 2004 and the UH-60L Advanced Qualification Course in 2006 before an interstate transfer to the Georgia Army National Guard, serving with 1st Battalion 171st Aviation Regiment (GSAB). While in the GA ARNG, Mr. Pifer served as Battalion Aviation Materials Officer and Battalion Tactical Operations Officer with 1/171st and as Brigade Tactical Operations Officer with 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. Mr. Pifer has flown over 4900 hours, of which 574 were combat hours and he is a graduate of the Warrant Officer’s Senior Staff Course.

Mr. Pifer’s awards and decorations include, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (3), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (7), National Defense Service Medal (3), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Arm Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (2), Florida Service Medal, Florida Service Ribbon (3), Florida Active Duty Ribbon, Army Meritorious Unit Award, Florida Governor’s Meritorious Unit Citation, and Master Army Aviator Badge.

Mr. Pifer’s education includes a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics in Aviation Management, and an Associate of Science in Pre-Engineering. Mr. Pifer resides in Williamson, GA with his wife and two sons.

Guest Musician

County artist Barry Michael is returning to Pike County Middle School for this Veterans Day event. This Georgia native has been featured on 94.9 The Bull's Backyard Country and has opened for country acts such as The Band Perry, Tim McGraw, Craig Morgan, and John Michael Montgomery. He is from Stockbridge, Georgia. The following is from his song, "Heroes and Angels".

This ones for veterans your attention please
I can't help but notice you would have died for me
I'd like to pay my respects so I'm speaking out
I know it seems sometimes people forget
The fact we're forever embraced in your debt
But I'm here to tell ya
You're what this country is about

[CHORUS]
Thank you for laying it all on the line
Protecting our freedom, restoring our pride
For going through hell so we wouldn't have to
Thank you for standing for all we believe
For holding your ground when the world was in need
For giving your heart and your soul to the red, white and blue
When I think of heroes and angels, I think of you


What was it like behind enemy lines?
Did you fall to your knees asking God why?
Did you cry for your brothers in arms lost in the flames?
Did you realize the greatness of your sacrifice?
Did you know at the time you were saving my life?
Did you kiss the ground when you came home to the U S of A?


Thank you for laying it all on the line
Protecting our freedom, restoring our pride
For going through hell so we wouldn't have to
Thank you for standing for all we believe
For holding your ground when the world was in need
For giving your heart and your soul to the red, white and blue
When I think of heroes and angels, I think of you


Oh thank you for standing for all we believe
For holding your ground when the world was in need
And giving your heart and your soul to the red, white and blue
When I think of heroes and angels
When I think of heroes and angels
When I think of heroes and angels, I think of you
I think of you

Click here to read more about Barry Michael. Click here for glimpses of past events.