Price Of Freedom Museum and fifth-graders

As a Rowan-Salisbury School System teacher assistant and bus driver, I drove a field trip for part of the fifth grade at Granite Quarry Elementary School today. We went to the Price of Freedom Museum in the China Grove area. It was built in the old Patterson Elementary School and is filled with lots of volunteers who are ready to speak to visitors about war times and veterans.

The children learned from three men who painted a picture of war in a language appropriate for fifth-graders while laughing along the way. Mr. Terry Oglethorpe told many stories and one of a ship that transported soldiers across the seas. Let’s just say conditions were difficult. Mr. Neil Morrow is a 93-year-old WWII Veteran who served in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and Rhineland. He is a wealth of knowledge. Mr. Bobby Harrison was our tour guide in the museum full of pictures, uniforms, models, and was helper to us through a scavenger hunt.

All of this made a field trip where the children had fun, interacted with veterans and learned that while war is endured, it is hard. Many thanks to the Price of Freedom Museum for helping educate the children. My thanks for all who serve and have served to make my life free.

— Terry L. Cameron Salisbury

Your generosity makes us #KnoxStrong!

Thank you to the children who sweetly asked friends and family for “Invest in a Child” donations to help Knox Middle School. Thank you to each individual, whether a loving family member, a caring friend, or a supportive neighbor, who gave when asked because you see hope in education! Thank you also to the businesses and organizations (AirBound Trampoline Park, Alpha-One Air Service Discovery Flight, Catawba College basketball and football teams, Chick-Fil-A, Cold Stone Creamery, Dairy Queen, DJs Restaurant, East Coast Wings, Horizons Unlimited, LA Murph, Piedmont Players, Pottery 101, Salisbury High School Athletic Department, Salisbury Parks and Recreation, Sam’s Car Wash, Spanky’s, Subway, Tinseltown Movie Theater, North Carolina Transportation Museum, Ultimate Sports, Wal-Mart, and JF Hurley YMCA) that donated free prizes to the Invest in a Child fundraiser because you see the potential in each and every child and want to see a successful Knox! Together we met and exceeded our goal, raising $10,700 for Knox Middle School!

We are blessed with a giving, supportive community, wonderful, caring teachers and staff, a strong PTA, and visionary new leaders, Dr. Dixon and Dr. Waiksnis, who have come to town to transform Knox Middle School! They are striving for a better Knox, striving to increase literacy, improve behavior, create higher learning, ensure comprehensive teaching, increase test scores, and inspire more students to attend college. This is no small task so we must stand behind them and support them every step of the way. Together we can do this! Together we can make #KnoxStrong!

— Leah Ann Honeycutt Salisbury

Honeycutt is chairwoman of Knox’s Invest in a Child fundraiser.