She's a HERO
PBES Kindergarten Class honors World War II Veteran
BY BETTY ARCHER ALLEN Gulf Breeze News betty@gulfbreezenews.com

Cotton

Helen Cotton, a volunteer at the Pensacola Beach Elementary School (PBES), was given a special 90th birthday celebration by the PBES Kindergarten class on Thursday, March 20.

The class, under the leadership of teacher, Jennifer Neal, and one of the mothers, Kim Donatelli, collected $600 to contribute to the Marine Corps League for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight to Washington D.C. World War II memorial in Mrs. Cotton's name.

Mrs. Cotton is a World War II Veteran and the school's favorite patriot. She leads the Kindergarten class in the Pledge of Allegiance, assists them when they sing the song of the 50 States and gives plenty of hugs.

Mrs. Cotton said, "The other day one of the students asked how old I was and I told her that I was 90 years old. Then the student said Mrs. Cotton do you know that you are old and I said yes it's great. Everybody ought to reach 90."

Mrs. Cotton had quite a celebration! On behalf of the kindergarten class, Mrs. Neal presented Mrs. Cotton with a stars and stripes beach ball and hat. The principal, Jeff Castleberry, Debbie Campenella, Mrs. Cotton's daughter, who teaches the PBES second grade, many of the kindergarten moms and representatives from the local media attended the 90th birthday celebration of a "great person, a great patriot and a great American."

The children's donation will help WWII veterans see the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. by sponsoring an honor flight.

Following the presentation the class served refreshments.

Emerald Coast Honor Flight will take 100 World War II veterans from the First Congressional District, to Washington D.C. to see the World War II memorial free of charge on April 30, 2008.

Emerald Coast Honor Flight, a non-profit volunteer organization, worked with the Marine Corps League to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. They will fly World War II veterans from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Washington, and Holmes. Top priority was given to the senior WWII veterans survivors along with those other veterans that may be terminally ill.

The World War II Memorial was completed 60 years after the end of the war, but for many it was too late.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Arlington National Cemetery statistics approximately 1,200 World War II veterans are dying each day. Thousands are on waiting list for various honor flights around the country and Emerald Coast Honor Flight is able to make this make this trip because of donations made by individuals and groups such as the Pensacola Beach Elementary School (PBES) Kindergarten Class.

Betty Archer Allen/Gulf Breeze News Honoree Helen Cotton, Principal, Jeff Castleberry, Debbie Campenella (Mrs. Cotton's daughter, who teaches the PBES second grade), and Jennifer Neal with the Kindergarten class holding the $600 check to the Marine Corps League for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Though Mrs. Cotton is not making the trip, she will be gratified to know that the gift made by the class in her honor will contribute greatly to this worthy cause.
Want to go?
WWII Honor Flights
For details on veterans'
flights to the National
World War II Memorial,
contact Sheilah Bowman
in Congressman Jeff
Miller's office at
850-479-1183.