By Lu Shaw
Special to the Times Journal

Russell County students featured in the video titled “A Kentucky Salute to our Soldiers” received their letters from President Bush and Governor Beshear, plus Certificates of Appreciation from the Russell County Jaycees, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Monticello Banking, Stephens Pipe and Steel, Centre Point Development and Country Folks Realty and Auction.
The video was produced by Denver Wilson, Russell Springs and was shot entirely in Russell County with the exception of some bull riding clips shot in Casey County.
The video was centered around Country Music, antique farm tractors and antique cars on parade with the ROTC doing a drill. Several companies and veterans joined Wilson in producing the video.
The companies were from Houston, Texas and Kansas City along with several veterans in Florida.
According to Wilson, near thirty thousand copies were produced before it was uploaded to a website available to soldiers.
A special appreciation ceremony was held at Bethesda Church in Russell Springs for the cast of the video.
Many veterans were present supporting the students for what they had done for our troops. Mayor Brooks Bates of Jamestown was the first speaker with Captain King of the Russell County Navy Junior ROTC speaking second. Denver Wilson, the producer, spoke last.
Wilson kept emphasizing how proud he was of the students and how well they had represented Russell County.
He also emphasized how President Kennedy swam five miles pulling an injured soldier who could not swim. Wilson stated, “If President Kennedy was here today, he would be very proud of these Russell County students, because you have rose to the occasion, stood tall in supporting the men and women who are laying their lives on the line defending the freedoms and lifestyles we all enjoy in America.
The economy has factored in this 2008 Presidential race and what is the economy really worth without freedom and security?”
Before Wilson ended his speech he told the students, “I’m an old man and I have seen a lot in these years.
You students did an excellent job performing in this video and I am very proud of you. Please stay away from illegal drugs. I want you to know you will not reach your potential in life under the influence of illegal drugs. In other words you will never be what you can possibly be.”
The students receiving the letters and certificates of appreciation were: Katie Creech, Caity Kerr, Britany Foster, Ambria Hites, Cheyenne Popplewell, Stephanie Harris, Kenisha Kelsey, McKenzie Kelsey, Brenna Murray, Katie Flanagan, Montana Popplewell, and Devin Wilson.
Others receiving the same were the band: Claradon Wilson, Timmy Hudson, Harold Wilson and Josh Higginbotham along with Philip Anderson and Lauren Brown of the Russell County Navy Jr. ROTC. Each member of the cast also received a rose compliments of Don and Lu Shaw during the ceremony.
Will there be another video for out troops?
Wilson responded, “How in this world could I possibly top this one? Actually, I’m planning another video for the American Cancer Society. Maybe, the Minnie Pearl Foundation for the American Cancer Society in Nashville. We have the artists in Russell County to perform Gospel, Bluegrass and Country for the video.
It would be fun to raise several thousand dollars for such a worth while organization.”