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"Project: Hoo Rah" helps give Hero's Holiday
by Denise DuBois
Citizen News Staff Writer

Central High School's own Assistant Principal Tommy Vickers is overseas serving in Iraq, but the students have not forgotten him.

DeAndre Bowman at Central High School recognized a need and got the community involved in putting goody bags together for Vickers' unit, said Central's Principal Jan Funderburk.

Vickers is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Alabama National Guard and was deployed a few months ago. Funderburk said he expects Vickers back in June 2008.

"He was prepared to serve," said Funderburk. "I'd much prefer to have him here."

The elementary schools are helping gather items to send in bags to the troops. They plan to send the bags to the unit by Christmas for a "Hero's Holiday."

Vickers' son, Tommy Vickers, Jr., a first grader at Lakewood Elementary, is participating too. At Lakewood, they are calling it "Project: Hoo Rah." Students are bringing in candy canes, silly string, stationary, playing cards, phone cards and more.

Tommy Jr. said he misses his dad, but he can't really remember just how long his dad has been gone. "Let's just say, a very long time," said the first grader. "I couldn't count. I was too busy crying."

Tommy Jr. said he and his dad email each other every now and then. When they talk on the phone, Tommy said his dad is eating breakfast. "It's breakfast time when dad calls me, but it's dark over there."

Tommy Jr. may miss his dad, but he is strong for the students at school. Every afternoon during announcements, Tommy reminds students over the intercom to bring in supplies for the troops. Then, he gives them a big "Hoo Rah!"

		Tommy Vickers, Jr. and Lakewood Elementary are collecting items to send to his daddy, Lt. Col. Tommy Vickers, Central High School's assistant principal. This project is spearheaded by DeAndre Bowman from Central High School called "It's a Hero's Holiday." Bowman and schools are collecting items to send to Vickers and his unit in Iraq to let him know his school has not forgotten him. Click HERE for more pictures of Tommy Vickers in Iraq.
"Project: Hoo Rah" helps give Hero's Holiday by Denise DuBois Citizen News Staff Writer Central High School's own Assistant Principal Tommy Vickers is overseas serving in Iraq, but the students have not forgotten him. DeAndre Bowman at Central High School recognized a need and got the community involved in putting goody bags together for Vickers' unit, said Central's Principal Jan Funderburk. Vickers is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Alabama National Guard and was deployed a few months ago. Funderburk said he expects Vickers back in June 2008. "He was prepared to serve," said Funderburk. "I'd much prefer to have him here." The elementary schools are helping gather items to send in bags to the troops. They plan to send the bags to the unit by Christmas for a "Hero's Holiday." Vickers' son, Tommy Vickers, Jr., a first grader at Lakewood Elementary, is participating too. At Lakewood, they are calling it "Project: Hoo Rah." Students are bringing in candy canes, silly string, stationary, playing cards, phone cards and more. Tommy Jr. said he misses his dad, but he can't really remember just how long his dad has been gone. "Let's just say, a very long time," said the first grader. "I couldn't count. I was too busy crying." Tommy Jr. said he and his dad email each other every now and then. When they talk on the phone, Tommy said his dad is eating breakfast. "It's breakfast time when dad calls me, but it's dark over there." Tommy Jr. may miss his dad, but he is strong for the students at school. Every afternoon during announcements, Tommy reminds students over the intercom to bring in supplies for the troops. Then, he gives them a big "Hoo Rah!"