Military vehicles rumbled along bumpy terrain, past a row of simple green tents. A horn sounded to let the ranks know it was time to head from one activity to the next. It was all part of the special Veterans Recognition Program, hosted by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow at Cypress Cove Farm in Red Bay.

Military tents provided a place for local veterans to engage students and tell their stories.

The program, in its third year, has been conducted over the past few weeks for fourth, fifth and sixth grade students across Franklin and Colbert counties. It was sponsored by American Legion Post 120 in Red Bay and included veterans from other posts, as well. Students got a chance to meet and listen to veterans of different wars as well as examine several military exhibits.

A military vehicle trucks a load of children through Cypress Cove.

Students visited stations that included touring the Fred Rosemore and Gordon Morrow Memorial Museum, which included artifacts and items collected by American Legion Post 120; learning military drills and skills like flag etiquette, saluting and marching; listening to stories told by veterans; and riding Morrow’s collection of military vehicles.

More than 1,000 children came through the program this year.

“We need to tell these kids our freedom’s not free. Somebody paid a price for our freedom,” said Frankie Smith, commander of American Legion Post 120.