Veterans High School

Houston County Georgia

It was my good fortune on Monday, November 29, 2010 to visit the Veterans High School for a very special program.  The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps as well as the Social Studies Classes were given a presentation concerning U. S. A. History which focused on the word "Freedom."

The first speaker was Congressman Elect from the Eighth District of Georgia, Mr. Austin Scott who recalled his conversations with his Grandfather who was a Prisoner of War during World War II.

The second speaker was a Retired Air Force Captain, William (Bill) Robinson who was a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War and was confined to the Hanoi Hilton.

His discussion was a very emotional talk with these young scholars who were totally focused on the conversation he delivered in the auditorum of the Veterans High School. There were no distractions during the conversation as everyone was captivated by the speaker.  In additional to the Scholars from Veterans High many Military Veterans had been invited to hear Captain William (Bill) Robinson's conversation.

His comments can be best summarized by quoting "The Knoxville Journal" article which was published after he delivered his conversation this past Summer.  I quote:

"Vietnam POW recounts 7.5 years in captivity

By Natalie Lester

Captain William “Bill” Robinson attributed his survival of the Vietnam prison camps to the WWII and Korea veterans.






“The example had been set [for us] by WWII and Korea veterans, proving you could survive in the prison environment,” Robinson said. “They had set the example that you could do what we were striving for — to return with honor.”






Robinson also accredited his and his fellow survivors’ endurance to the families they had left behind.






“Our hearts were with our families enduring the difficulties they were experiencing back home,” Robinson said. “The real heroes are the families.”






On July 13, Robinson shared his story at a Smokey Mountain Blue Star Mothers’ meeting at West Hills Presbyterian. Robinson enlisted in the Air Force after his high school graduation in 1971. After training, he spent time at bases in Oklahoma, Korea and North Dakota before being sent to Vietnam.






He left in April 1965 for what was supposed to be a “simple four-month tour.” However, four months would turn into almost eight years when his helicopter was shot down in a rescue mission in North Vietnam. “We didn’t have all the things necessary to do the things we needed to do, but we had a mission,” Robinson said. “Being shot at was familiar, but being shot down was not.”






When asked to describe the experience in a few words, Robinson described his eight Thanksgivings, Christmases and New Years in captivity in more minute terms.






“It was minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years of boredom punctuated by terror,” Robinson said.






He and his American peers were not able to communicate except through a tap code.






“We took the alphabet and removed ‘K,’” Robinson said. “Then, we made a five-by-five cube of the letters. The first tap recognized the row the letter was in, and the second recognized the column.”






Robinson left no dry eyes in the room as he explained how he survived.






“I told myself I was only in Vietnam for three days,” Robinson said. “I was shot down yesterday; today was today; and I was going to the house tomorrow. I prepared myself everyday to come home. I knew I had to be physically and mentally strong.”






Robinson was directly commissioned to Lieutenant upon his return home on Feb. 12, 1973. Yet, he remained humble about his experience and honor.






“My story is just one of 7.3 million,” he said. “The only reason I can tell my story is because of those who are not here today.” 






JULY 15, 2010 "

As Captain Robinson concluded his conversation on November 29, 2010 at Veterans High School he stated that he is often asked how the listeners can best honor our Nation's Heroes such as he.  He stated that our Former POWs, our deceased Heroes and our Current Heroes as well as all Veterans can best be honored by all Citizens Voting in every election.  He encouraged the youthful Scholars to encourage their parents to Vote.  Then he added, when you are old enough to vote, do so.  There is no better way to Honor the Service of our Military Men and Women!!!!!

After the presentations all of us Veterans were given the opportunity to tour the Lunch Room and the main halls of this great educational facility.  Everyone was impressed.

I was most impressed with the attitude and the display of respect for our Heroes by each and every Scholar who participated in this event.

Well Done, Veterans High School Scholars.  Each of you is certainly a credit to yourself, your family, your community, your school because you display the care and compassion that so many have invested in your education.