11/11/09
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3 comments
Hartselle honors former teacher
HARTSELLE — For almost a week, Bill Fowler thought he was coming to hear his son Nate’s speech about Veterans Day. So he was surprised when students at the school where he taught 33 years — and more than 200 veterans — stood and applauded him. During the annual Veterans Day program at Hartselle Junior High School on Tuesday, Fowler, a retired math teacher, received the John Frank Parker Freedom Award. The award honors Parker, a veteran and former principal at the school. It recognizes a person whose patriotic spirit has contributed to the education of children in Hartselle. Good citizen “It’s a good citizen award, and I can’t think of a more deserving person,” said Parker, who was on the Fowler’s first teaching staff in 1969. “You won’t find a finer person walking on this earth,” Parker added. Fowler, a graduate of Alabama A&M, taught at the school until his retirement in 2001. “We had to make daddy cancel everything, including his dentist appointment in Cullman,” Nate Fowler said. With his three children, grandchildren and wife, Virgie, at his side, Bill Fowler knew he wasn’t there to listen to his son when Parker started talking about the recipient. “They got me,” he said. School secretary Kaye Clemons knew before the ceremony that Fowler was getting the Parker Award. “There’s never been a better person to teach at this school,” Clemons said. “My children were in his class, and I can tell you they don’t have any math deficiencies.” Before honoring Fowler, the school recognized veterans of every war from World War II forward. Television personality and Hartselle native Greg Screws was master of ceremonies. “This program is about what is truly good in our schools,” he said. “This is certainly the best Veterans Day program in the Tennessee Valley.” Against the odds Screws pointed to the area where veterans sat and said what separates these men and women from the rest of us is the knowledge that if the tiniest thing goes wrong they are not coming back. “How many of you are willing to go to work with these odds?” he asked. Students Julia Matthews, Allyson Burgess, Riley Corum and Sydney Sneed gave speeches about what veterans mean to them.
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I was there among these men yesterday in the very top row and all I can say is WOW. What an incredible job these kids did putting on this program. When we (Veterans) arrived, we assembled in the cafeteria and from the moment we got there, we were made to feel welcome. The cafeteria was decorated with patriotic artwork and the tables each had flowers on them with essays and poems that the kids had done about what vererans were to them. Some of the students were there to greet us and mingle with us asking questions about what branch we served in and for how long, or what war we served in. When it came time to start the program, we paraded into the gymnasium and all the students were on their feet and clapping until everyone was in and seated. I was amazed at how the students conducted themselves. They were quiet when they needed to be, attentive, and genuinly respectful. Not only did it reflect well on the students and the staff but on the school itself. I served in the 80's. Peace time. Ready to go if my country called. Yesterday, I was both humbled and honored to be sitting amongst those men in the bleachers below me. I didn't have to endure any of the hardships that these men that came before me had to. I told my wife after the program, that I sometimes didn't feel worthy enough to sit with them because my duty was during peace time. These men and women that came before me endured many things that I never had to when I served. I will never have to experience going to war or wonder whether or not today is my day. I won't watch a buddy die right next to me. I won't experience the extremes of weather, hunger, fear, being away from family. I won't experience this because of the men that are seated just below me. They already did if for me. I am free today because of their blood and sacrifice. Because of that, I was able to serve and protect what they already paid for. Thankyou Hartselle Juniour High. Today you made me proud to be a Vet.
Mr. Fowler taught both myself and my mother (Class of 94 & 74), he was a Great teacher, and we both loved having his class. He had made up rhymes on how to work out math problems, so I still use to this day. I can honestly say that I wish there were more teachers like Mr. Fowler!
Mr. Fowler, you deserve this, and so much more for all the lives you have touch!
I have to say I hated school so much But I Loved Mr.Bill Fowler,he was the most patient person and teacher I ever had,and it was a previledge to be in his class was back in his early days in Hartselle when he first started there, I had two special teacher he was one and Miss Gracie was the other I learned in there classes, Mr Bill you deserved this honor,He also had as is said behind every great man there is a great woman, I also had the chance to get to know his beautiful and sweet wife Virgie for several yearsm I am proud the people of Hartselle honored Mr Fowler and all our veterans of which my Farther Lloyd G Stephenson and Father in law LJ Long were both I am always proud to say.
Thank You Mr Bill