By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
On Friday, January 24, students at Elle P. Stewart Academy for Girls and the MLK Jr. Academy for Boys were honored for their participation in the 2024 Wreaths Across America program at Toledo Memorial Park. Toledo Buffalo Soldiers and Jeff Clegg, CEO of Toledo Memorial Park, awarded each student a certificate with his or her name and signed by Earl Mack, Commander of the Toledo Buffalo Soldier, and by Clegg. Students will also be allowed to keep the pens used in those signings much like a presidential bill signing.
The Wreaths Across America program was established to honor “the sacrifices of our military – those sacrifices are what make us free today,” said Earl Mack, post commander of the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. “The program supports those military soldiers.”
“Part of our mission is to teach not just about what the Buffalo Soldiers did but also about what all the military has done. And the military is also a perfect option for kids who are not going to college – to follow up on their dreams,” said Fred LeFebvre, PIO/secretary of the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers.
Ten students were honored at Ella P. Stewart: Da’Riyah Brown, Je’Rae Carter, Pandora Fench, Tonenyah Gilmer, A’maurri Haney, Janaya Haynes, Justyce Kelson, Dutchess Smith, Lalaya Smith, Damarria Williams. They were given certificates from the Buffalo Soldiers along with a signing pen to keep as a reminder.
Sixteen students were honored at MLK Academy: Rico Perez, Josiah Roberts, Joseph Burton, Anthony King, Anthony Williams, Davion Miller, Dylan Savage, Lorenzamire Thompson, Darryl Jones, Jeremiah Walker, James Osley, Ridge Wormely, David Larkett, Pierre Henderson, Jaylen Harrison, Cayden James.
In addition to the certificate from the Buffalo Soldiers, the MLK students were also honored with a certificate from Toledo Memorial and were treated to lunch at Texas Roadhouse.
