Liberty Park hosts Veterans Day program

To honor veterans, the community gathered together for Liberty Park Middle School’s annual Veterans Day program. In attendance were Vestavia Hills Superintendent Dr. Jamie Blair, Vestavia Hills City Council member George Pierce and veterans from Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. 

LPMS band members, led by Jody Bryant, played “The Veteran’s Medley” which included the songs for the Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines. Melissa Talley, choir director, led choir students as they sang the National Anthem. At the end of the program, eighth-grade student Earl Bradberry played “Taps.”

Lt. Col. Alan Enslen was the speaker for the program. From 1986 to 1994 Enslen, a United States Army Special Forces officer, served on active duty. He led his team on deployments throughout the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. He was recalled to active duty in 2001 and deployed to Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Apart from his military service, Enslen is an attorney with the law firm of Maynard, Cooper & Gale. 

Enslen explained that Veterans Day is more than a day off. It is a day to think about those who have served our country. He gave tips on how students can be a better friend, family member and student by putting in place the qualifications of a successful soldier. Enslen stated a soldier must be a leader and do the right thing when no one is looking. 

A soldier must be willing to help his team. He explained that mental and physical toughness as well as self discipline will help students be prepared and focused on whatever their mission is in life. 

Enslen also shared the story of Black Hawk Down soldier Mike Durant, now a resident of Madison. In 1993, Special Forces soldiers gave their life to save Durant, a fellow soldier, whose helicopter went down in Somalia. Enslen explained that students can support our military by stopping when they see a man or woman in uniform, to say, “Thank you for your service.”  He stated it means a lot to know they are appreciated and supported.