Local Schools to celebrate with Veteran's Day programs

Of all the holidays we Americans observe, many come courtesy of our veterans. We can rise each day knowing we are free to do so with peace of mind. We are secure that we can go home without the worries of other nations' people. We can go to church or go fishing on Sunday morning. We can go to buy groceries to feed our families without fear. We don't have to fear being awakened at night and forced out of our homes and stripped of our basic freedoms. All of that comes courtesy our United States Veterans.

A group of individuals who stepped up and kept their promise that we are safe under their watch.  Veterans are those who stepped up, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect us, complete strangers. Veterans have gone stratght into danger, gave up their comfort, their friends and family, just so we can sleep each night. It's something we must be thankful for.

Our local schools teach our children what they need to know academically, but also the history of our nation. It hasn't always been pretty, but our US veeterans did it for us. That is why local schools are planning their upcoming Veteran's Day programs. In some small, but wonderful way, our young minds are taught to celebrate our warriors and how to honor their sacrifice, with a small, but powerful, "Thank You!" by honoring those who have served in the armed forces with special programs on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025.

South Fulton Elementary School will host its annual Veterans Day program at 9 a.m. in the school gymnasium. Students, staff, and community members will gather to pay tribute to local veterans and recognize their service to the nation.

Later in the day, Fulton Independent Schools will hold its observance at 1 p.m. in the Carr Elementary School gymnasium. The program will feature performances by Carr Elementary students in grades 3–5 and the Fulton High School chorus, showcasing patriotic music and readings. United States Master Sergeant Daniel Dallas will be the guest speaker.

Master Sergeant Dallas grew up in Fulton, where he enjoyed hunting with his father and hanging out with his family and friends. He especially loved driving his old 53 chevy pickup around town. He played golf and baseball throughout high school and upon graduating in 2001 he enrolled at the University of Eastern Kentucky and attended college for a year and a half.

Daniel decided to join the Air Force in February of 2004, entering the service as an open mechanic. Near the conclusion of Basic Military Training, he received notice that he had been selected to serve as a jet engine mechanic. He completed technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and went on to his first assignment at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he worked multiple sections at the F-15 propulsion flight.

Sergeant Dallas continued to improve upon his craft for the next five years and received two promotions. Also, while stationed at Eglin, Daniel met and started dating his later to be wife Jerusha. Daniel’s next assignment was at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota where he worked B-52 Phase Dock. It was while stationed at Minot that he deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan for six months as an Air Advisor on the MI-17 helicopter in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Shortly after his return to Minot AFB, Sergeant Dallas was approved for a base of preference assignment to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Not long after arriving at Nellis Daniel and Jerusha got married. He would go on to spend the next ten years of his career filling various roles within the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and would receive two more promotions there.

 It was also during this time that he was chosen to cross train to 5th Generation Tactical Maintenance. After cross training he helped stand up the F-35 Bolt Aircraft Maintenance Unit and finally ended his time at Nellis as a F-16 Production Superintendent. Sergeant Dallas moved to his final assignment at Edwards Air Force Base, California at the end of 2020 filling the F-35 Aircraft Section Chief role at the 461st Aircraft Maintenance Unit for almost a year. He was later asked to move over to the Maintenance Flight within the 412th Maintenance Squadron where he would finish his career out.

After 20 years of service Master Sergeant Dallas decided to hang up the uniform and retire. Daniel and his wife moved back to Fulton where they enjoy hanging out with family and friends, working on home improvements, and traveling around the world.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal,                                                                                            Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal.

Both programs are open to the public. Guests attending the Fulton Independent Schools event should enter through the front doors of Carr Elementary School and bring a valid photo ID for entry. Community members are encouraged to attend and join students and staff in honoring America’s veterans.