Fairmont Catholic students get 'double lesson' at Memorial Day remembrance
May 25—FAIRMONT — Veteran David Tucker elevated the typical Memorial Day assembly Friday morning at Fairmont Catholic School.
This year he focused on two Marion County veterans, Asa Davison and Rose Cousins, who served their country proudly despite facing hurdles from discrimination and racism.
Both Davison and Cousins have been in the news this year. Davidson turned 100 and Cousins received honors from Fairmont City Council.
"What makes him special is he served during a time when the military and society in America was segregated," Tucker said. "They couldn't even serve together in the military. A lot of times in the military soldiers and sailors of African-American descent had to do their jobs with broken equipment, substandard equipment the whites threw away. Sometimes they would have to do humiliating jobs or dangerous jobs, but they distinguished themselves very well."
Tucker also mentioned George "Spanky" Roberts, a WWII combat pilot who commanded the all Black Tuskegee Airmen. The 332nd Squadron, the official name of the Tuskegee Airmen, flew P-51 Mustangs against German Me-109s in the skies over France and Germany. While pilots of B-17 Bombers complained other squadrons would lose focus and chase after enemy fighters leaving the bombers vulnerable, the 332nd earned a reputation for never leaving their bombers. As a result, the squadron never lost a bomber to enemy fighters. Pilots from the squadron also shot down some of the first jet fighters in the world.
While Tucker gave people of color special focus during his presentation to the students, he didn't forget to speak at length about the other important dimensions of Memorial Day. He explained the meaning and significance behind the holiday. Principal Diane Burnside said the purpose of the assembly was to share the history of the nation's veterans and what they sacrificed. Adding in the Marion County and Fairmont angle also builds a direct connection to the holiday for students, she said.
"I just wanted them to know why they had a day off school," Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator Joyce Evans said. "How did that come about? Why are we staying home? Why will you see American flags everywhere? Some churches have crosses and flags in their yards. And the cemeteries will be decorated. We talked about remembering those who have gone before us, what they did for us and how important it is to the history of our country."
Evans has also met Davison. She said Fairmont Catholic does a great job of teaching that it's not about name or color or any other surface level attribute, but about character and action. How individuals treat other people, how to present oneself and look at the world. How one person can make a difference. The past also affects the future, she said.
"It's so important as an educator to make kids know what they say and what they do, it can affect others," she said. "Get them to be positive and know that they are valuable to society. And it doesn't matter what's on the outside. It matters what you do with what's on the inside."
Reach Esteban at efernandez@timeswv.com
