Page 3 - The Wayne Dispatch

Veteran receives the first class of 2020 diploma

By Carolyn Marnon
Welcome to the Class of 2020
Avery Hall! A Korean War veteran,
Avery left Wayne Memorial High
School at the age of 17 to enlist in
the Army. He had wanted to join the
Army and go to Korea when he was
just 16, but he says his folks
wouldn’t sign the papers. When he
reached 17, he was off to serve his
country in the armed forces.
On February 28, Avery Hall
walked across the stage at Taft-Gal-
loway Elementary School to loud ap-
plause, which included many of his
nieces and nephews and friends, a
small group of veterans, Taft stu-
dents, the media, and other locals, to
receive his long-awaited diploma.
While seated on the stage listening to
the accolades being rained down
upon him, Avery would toss a
thumbs up out to the audience
which was tossed back to him by his Class of 2020 Graduate Mr. Avery Hall is an Army veteran who left Wayne Memorial High School when he was 17, before
nephew Mitchell Beardon. graduation, to serve in the Korean War and went on to serve in Vietnam, Germany, Alaska and Fort Sill. He is 84 years old and
The pomp and circumstance currently resides in a veteran's home in Oklahoma. He grew up in, then, Nankin Township and went to Cady Elementary School
were all attended to on this special
day. As Wayne Westland School in Westland in the early 1940s. He was presented with his high school diploma during a graduation ceremony on February 28,
Board members, the Interim Super- 2020. Photo Wayne Westland Community Schools
intendent Jill Simmons, Taft Princi- half of the City of Wayne, your contri- throughout your military career,” he ing down upon him on his special
pal Brandon Cox, WMHS Principal butions making the United States of said as he expressed gratitude for day, Avery could be seen kissing his
James Anderson and Wayne Mayor America the great country that it is Mr. Hall’s sacrifices. wife’s picture that appeared in the
John Rhaesa stood on stage, Avery today.” He went on to say “I think we “When I talk to students today program booklet. Principal Ander-
Hall was assisted to the stage by his can all honor individuals like Mr. about high school,” continued Princi- son concluded with “You are the def-
son, Wendell Hall, to “Pomp and Cir- Hall through our deeds and not just pal Anderson, “I talk about opportu- inition of Wayne Pride.”
cumstance,” the traditional gradua- our words. How do you do that? By nity. It’s my belief our goal as a high School Board President David
tion walking song. The Wayne living our lives and enjoying Amer- school is to prepare our students for Cox presented Mr. Hall with his
Memorial High School JROTC Color ica’s greatness. We can live our lives the next opportunity in their lives, re- diploma while stating that Avery was
Guard presented the National Col- and be good Americans that all vet- gardless if it is the military, college, the first in his class of 2020. After
ors. erans can be proud to know that a family business or going straight being seated, Avery leaned over to In-
“It is a privilege and an honor to their sacrifices were not in vain. This into the workforce. Opportunities terim Superintendent Jill Simmons
have Mr. Avery Hall and his family is the thanks Americans can give, are unique. Oftentimes, they only and asked “Am I supposed to turn
here today for this commencement live your lives well as productive cit- present themselves for a short time my hat?” which received several
ceremony,” exclaimed Taft Principal izens should.” Upon completion of before they are missed. I cannot chuckles from his family seated in
Brendon Cox as he turned over the Mayor Rhaesa’s speech, Mr. Hall imagine how often you thought about the audience.
microphone to Wayne Mayor John raised his arm and gave a thumbs the missed opportunity of earning Mr. Hall came to the podium and
Rhaesa. up to the audience. your high school diploma. I, along spoke. He first addressed the chil-
“Our nation owes a great debt to “This is symbolic,” said WMHS with the Wayne Westland Community dren of Taft Elementary and ex-
its veterans whose service spans Principal James Anderson. “This is School District, are proud to be a pressed the importance of staying in
every decade and continues every the 100th year for Wayne Memorial, part of helping you achieve a missed school and getting an education. “Be
day of our country’s existence,” so you are the first graduate of the opportunity.” After speaking about on time for school, mind your class-
Mayor Rhaesa began. “Through un- class of 2020” he said as he turned Mr. Hall’s career since his separation room and school rules and,” he
told courage and sacrifice, America’s to Mr. Avery on stage. “It is our from the service, Principal Anderson chuckled, “eat well.” He thanked
veterans have secured the liberty honor to reunite with a proud mem- added “It may have taken some time everyone for being at the ceremony
which the founding fathers sought to ber of the Wayne Memorial commu- and a lot of patience, but the and gave a special shout-out to
establish here in the New World.” He nity and finish the work that started diploma you receive today will be- WWCSD Administrative Executive
went on, “Let’s not forget the sacri- so many years ago. However, the long to you. You earned it.” He also Secretary Cheryl Watson for making
fices veterans like Mr. Hall made for first thing we need to do is thank Mr. mentioned the sacrifice Mr. Hall’s the event possible.
all of us. They have ensured your Hall for his dedication and service to parents made of not being able to As the ceremony concluded, Mr.
right to travel freely all around this our country. I am certain you made watch their son cross the stage. Hall walked down the middle of the
great country and around the world. sacrifices leaving the comforts of When Principal Anderson spoke
Mr. Hall, I want to thank you on be- Wayne Memorial as a young man and about Avery’s wife of 60 years look- See Graduate, page 5
The Wayne Dispatch · March 2020 · 3