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Serving Princeton, Rosewood, Brogden, E. Johnston Co., W. Wayne Co., North Carolina |
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HeadlinesThis week's Pigskin Pickin' results The Gurley House is ready to make cherished memories Wayne Community joins national Technician Education Program Rosewood coaches prep for deployment johnston county agribusiness newsletter Reclaim long-distance charges through tax refund Drought irrigation help is available online Football: Despite 26-6 loss at Dixon, Bulddogs have reason for hope Football: Late-game defense not enough to help Eagles conquer Wildcats Volleyball: Lady Eagles earn one win in three-game week Volleyball: Bulldogs open season with loss against Eastern Wayne Cooper warns against e-greeting viruses Rosewood's Best named Wayne Co. Teacher of the Year Photos Obituaries Doris F. Parker, Barbara W. Parrish, Ellaphair W. Stallings, Paulette Mitchell, Barbara J. Everette Movies Halloween Local Showtimes
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Rosewood youth coaches prepare for deploymentBy Sarah A. Wise NL Staff Writer 5 September 2007 — Though support of the Iraq war seems to be on the decline in many areas of the country, citizens of Rosewood came out this week to support the mission that many local military men and women are sent on every day. Rosewood Youth Sports held a ceremony to show their honor and appreciation for two of their own who are preparing to go on a deployment to Iraq this month. Parents, coaches, and youth all took a few moments to honor the soldiers and others like them. The coaches may have arrived at practice Thursday night thinking it was just another night teaching football to area youth. But they left the field knowing how much their kids and the community appreciates their service and sacrifice as members of the military. At the close of football practice for the Rosewood youngsters on Thursday night, youth and parents gathered on the sidelines for a special ceremony to honor coaches Les Williams and Kevin Getchell, who are preparing to deploy for a tour overseas.
As the kids all took a knee, coach Stuart Kornegay joked that the coaches couldn’t have possibly been unaware of the ceremony, because he had been hearing about it all day. Mr. Kornegay coordinated the ceremony, introducing distinguished guests Bill Carr and Joe D'Ufumia of the Order of the Purple Heart and County Commissioners Andy Anderson and Efton Sager. Mr. Kornegay spoke to the youth about patriotism, and about the purpose that coaches Williams and Getchell were to serve overseas. He began with an analogy to superheroes that the kids were familiar with, such as Spiderman or Superman, and drawing a parallel to the coaches, saying that they were going overseas to fight the bad guys. He called Mr. Williams and Mr. Getchell real-life heroes, and said that the team wanted to express their appreciation for all that the military has done. Mr. Williams and Mr. Getchell were presented with plaques honoring the service they are about to enter, and Mr. Kornegay and guests gave hugs and wished the men good luck. Mr. Kornegay closed the ceremony by having all in attendance sing “God Bless America” with the two men. After the ceremony was over, each of the boys on the teams filed through a line to shake hands with Rosewood’s real-life heroes. Some offered reserved congratulations, while others uttered words of thanks and appreciation for the men’s service to their country. In addition to the youth, many parents and the other coaches offered their thanks and good wishes to the men as they prepare to go to Iraq.
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