Photo Gallery: Schools Pay Tribute To PFC Frank Brooks

Darren Doyle, story: Joseph Barkoff, photos:
As the community shared mixed emotions last night at the return of PFC Thomas Franklin "Frank" Brooks, Edmonson County Schools followed suit today as each school in the district participated in ceremonies for the POW hero.

VFW members salute the flag-draped casket of PFC Frank Brooks during the singing of the National Anthem at today's ceremony in Brooks' honor.

Kyrock Elementary hosted the processional from Patton Funeral Home first thing this morning in an outdoor ceremony. From there, PFC Brooks was transported to Edmonson County High School where ECMS and EC 5/6 Students combined along with friends, family, and military service and community members. From there, a similar ceremony was held at South Edmonson Elementary.

One unidentified visitor in the crowd said "you know, all these kids were just being kids, talking and laughing until that hearse pulled up. Then you could've heard a pin drop. They knew this was serious business."

Serious business, indeed. Veteran affairs, issues, and programs have never been taken lightly in Edmonson County, and today was the epitome of that notion amongst the schools.

"We have great students here in Edmonson County, and I've never been more proud of them than I was today," said Superintendent of Edmonson County Schools Brian Alexander.

"The amount of respect that they showed was simply amazing. We had over 1200 kids in our gym and they truly honored one of America's greats today. If they won every state championship out there, I couldn't be more proud."

Alexander credited each school, the administration, and faculty for the programs that were held today.

"We've always been patriotic, but this has renewed that here in our community," he said. "I personally want to thank our local VFW and Patton Funeral Home for allowing our schools to have part in such an occasion. Private Brooks gave the ultimate sacrifice at a time when the world was in peril. What an honor for us it was to have the opportunity to pay a small tribute to him. We also want to thank the Brooks family for their cooperation. Today was simply a phenomenal day."