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Vestavia Hills Salutes Veterans
By Anne Ruisi
Biographical vignettes focused on the heroism and the sacrifices of Alabama soldiers and sailors highlighted remarks by keynote speaker W. Kent Davis, state commissioner of Veterans Affairs, at Vestavia Hills’ Salute to Veterans on Nov. 10.
As he prepared his remarks, Davis said, he tried to think how he could honor the nearly 400,000 military veterans in Alabama. That is about 1 in 10 people in Alabama who are veterans, the highest rate in the U.S.
“Ultimately, I can think of no better way of discussing the true meaning of Veterans Day than by discussing stories of individual veterans from Alabama who have served their country in uniform,” the retired rear admiral said. “My hope is that, by discussing those individual lives, I can somehow memorialize the contributions of all veterans from Alabama.”
These included men and women from the major wars and conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. Among those Davis highlighted: • Osmond Kelly Ingram, a Pratt City firefighter who became the first U.S. Navy enlisted man to be killed in World War I. He died when a torpedo hit his ship as he ran to release depth charges at the ship’s stern. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Birmingham’s Kelly Ingram Park is named in his honor. • Holland Smith, born in the unincorporated community of Hatchechubbee in Russell County, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1905. He was called “Howlin’ Mad Smith” due to his ferocity under fire during World War I. By World War II, he’d been promoted to general and directed extensive Army, Navy and Marine amphibious training. His vision for assault warfare is often given major credit for carrying the War in the Pacific to a successful conclusion. • Ola Lee Mize, an Albertville native who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War at Outpost Harry. At the outpost, he organized defensive actions, rescued wounded soldiers and engaged the enemy until reinforcements arrived the next day.
• Matthew Leonard, born in Eutaw, who served in the Korea and Vietnam wars. A platoon sergeant, he received the Medal of Honor posthumously after dying from wounds in 1967 in Vietnam. His platoon came under attack and he rallied his men, dragged a wounded soldier to safety and charged an enemy gun, destroying the hostile crew despite being hit several times by enemy fire. • Tamara Thurman of Brewton, an army sergeant who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon, where her office was near the area of impact on 9/11.
“Together, despite their vast differences, these people stand as a metaphor for the invaluable gifts that military veterans in Alabama have bestowed on us,” Davis said. “They were military heroes. Several of them made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. It is fitting that we take part in remembering these great Alabamians and military heroes as we give thanks on Veterans Day.”
The event, held at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, also included performances of stirring patriotic songs by the Vestavia High School Honor Choir and Wind Symphony, songs from World War II and a “Salute to America” by the Birmingham Harmony Belles.
Four young Alabamians from Central Alabama took the Oath of Enlistment into the Army or Navy. This was done for the benefit of their families, who could not attend the original enlistment ceremony, an Army official at the event said.
Photo courtesy City of Vestavia Hills
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Left, Vestavia Hills mayor Ashley Curry welcomes W. Kent Davis, state commissioner of Veterans Affairs, to Vestavia Hills’ Salute to Veterans on Nov. 10. Above from left, veterans Charles Farrell, Jack Howard and Gene Rozelle, with the Birmingham Harmony Belles, Kiley Watson, Nancy Hornsby and Louise Elmore, who performed songs from World War II.
Rocky Ridge Principal Named to Board That Oversees The Nation’s Report Card Testing Program
Dilhani Uswatte, principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary School in Hoover, has been appointed the elementary school representative on the National Assessment Governing Board.
The board was established by Congress in 1988 to oversee and set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as The Nation’s Report Card. NAEP provides information on student performance in various subjects on a national and state basis as well as for large urban districts.
The 26-member board is responsible for deciding which subjects NAEP assesses, defining achievement levels and pursuing new ways to make the results useful and meaningful to the public.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Uswatte as the elementary school principal representative on the Governing Board,” Lesley Muldoon, the executive director of the board, said in a statement from the Department of Education. “After the disruptions of the pandemic – evidenced by stark declines on The Nation’s Report Card last month –
it’s more important than ever to help educators and families understand how children are progressing academically and how best to help each and every one of them succeed. Dr. Uswatte’s distinguished record as a STEM teacher, principal and mentor to fellow educators will strengthen the board’s efforts to ensure that The Nation’s Report Card informs educational recovery and acceleration efforts nationwide.”
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona appointed Uswatte to the
Dilhani Uswatte has served as the principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary School since 2014.
From page 8 position.
Uswatte has served as the principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary School since 2014. Under her leadership, Rocky Ridge earned interna-
tional STEM accreditation through AdvancEd, now called Cognia. Before that, she was an eighth grade math teacher and department chair at Berry Middle School.
She’s received several awards and honors, including being inducted into the Alabama Teacher Hall of Fame and named the 2019 Alabama Education Leader of the Year and a 2020 National Distinguished Principal.
In 2009, she received the National Milken Educator Award. Since then, she has developed and implemented a mentoring program for Milken award winners to help them mentor other teachers in their districts.
“The selection of Dr. Dilhani Uswatte to serve in the elementary principal position for the National Assessment Governing Board will greatly benefit our nation’s students, especially as schools focus on unfinished learning,” said L. Earl Franks, executive director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Eric Mackey, Alabama state superintendent of education, added, “It is truly a privilege to engage with educators who are transformative in their approach to leading students. Dr. Uswatte is that kind of educator.”
He pointed to Uswatte’s mentoring group, known as the Alabama Milken Visionary Partnerships.
“Through this initiative, Dr. Uswatte and other Milken Educator Award recipients are revitalizing and strengthening education in Alabama,” Mackey said.
“Dr. Uswatte brings with her enthusiasm and innovation that will benefit the board specifically and the field of education in general. As a state, we are so proud of her and cannot wait to see the impact she makes.”
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