By Luke V.
On Monday May 31, The Family Foundation School remembered Memorial Day. FFS kicked off the day with our own Memorial Day Parade. Boy Scout Troop 174, led by Scout Master Scott Cole, held the American Flag high to remember our fallen soldiers. Everyone gathered in front of the house to see the great presentation each family performed.
Each house put together a show for the rest of the school. Talbot House created a float to carry in Kevin D. to speak about Memorial Day. Three of the students put together a dance for the song, “Surfin’ USA” played by numerous members of Talbot House. Mann House created a float with a coffin to remember all of the soldiers who died in battle to save our country. Lake House divided into five groups, representing each branch of the United States Military; the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Marines. Wilson House spoke about the previous wars, and remembering soldiers and Betton House remembered the fallen soldiers by performing “The Star Spangled Banner”, our national anthem. All of the families were thoughtful and put large amounts of time and effort into the collaboration of these performances.
One soldier who many members of The Family Foundation School community keep close to their heart is Staff Sgt. Justin R. Whiting. The son of staff member Randy Whiting, Staff Sgt. Justin R. Whiting was killed in Iraq when his vehicle hit an explosive device. Justin was a highly trained Army medic serving as a Green Beret with the Third Battalion, Fifth Special Forces Group. On Memorial Day of 2009, a flag was raised in remembrance of Justin Whiting. The flag reminds the FFS community of the story of Justin Whiting and all of the soldiers who have lost their lives. Every time another soldier dies, this flag is lowered to half-mast to honor the recently killed soldiers.
The day continued with students having fun in the sun! Students played volleyball, Frisbee and other sports. Some students decided to take a dip in the cool pond, while others laid in the hot sun tanning. The kitchen staff, lead by Executive Chef Bill Cordts coordinated a barbeque for the entire school.
With the sun still high after the Barbeque, the FFS staff took on the students in a classic softball game. Each house was instructed to pick four students to verse the staff members on campus. The only requirement was that these students were not graduates because the annual Staff vs. Graduate Softball Game will be taking place the Thursday before Graduation.
Everyone gathered before the game to the softball field to support the staff and students. Then it was time to, “Play Ball!” After wild plays, great catches and strong hitting, the staff finished off the students with a score of 13 – 2. The staff, students and crowd all had a great time watching their friends and favorite staff members play. As the staff began to pull away, the desperation of the student team could be heard in the comment of the pitcher who rallied her teammates with “I don’t want to lose to old People!” The staff won this game; we will see what the Staff vs. Graduate outcome will be …
To conclude the day, staff and students grabbed a bag of popcorn and gathered in the gym to watch “Black Hawk Down”. “Black Hawk Down” takes place in the Bakaara Market in Mogadishu with American forces trying to capture the right hand men of the leader of the Somali militia. The operation failed when two Black Hawk helicopters were taken out by RPG’s from Somalia’s militia. What was supposed to be a quick half an hour operation led to an 18 hour rescue mission with 19 soldiers losing their lives. It was an appropriate selection to complete campus celebration of Memorial Day.
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