Veterans’ Day Is Observed
Many Veterans’ Day events were held last week, heading up to the holiday on Monday.
The Square was decked out with flags, and the American Legion had its crosses and flags out. No doubt, local cemeteries were bedecked in the red, white and blue as well.
This was the 100th observance of the day, which began November 11, 1918 when the Great War officially ended at 11:11 a.m. The Monticello News included a special insert last week honoring those veterans with Jasper County ties. If your picture was not included, bring it to The News office anytime between now and next November 1, so we can scan it and include you next year.
The Monticello branch of Ameris bank Friday morning presented the American Legion Post 110, with a check for $1,000 towards the veteran’s memorial wall that they are planning to build soon. Kim McMichael, Branch Manager, presented the check to Legion Commander, Otis Clark. She thanked the veterans for the service to our country as well as the service to Jasper County. The Legion is raising funds to begin the construction of a memorial wall that will be built in front of their building at the corner of Washington and Eatonton Streets.
Ameris Bank employees with Mrs. McMichael are Mattie Stodghill, Leah Campbell, Kris Moore and JoAnn Tripp. American Legion Post 110 Color Guard members with Commander Clark are Joe Zaluska, Sidney Jackson and Geneva Miller. The Jasper County Senior Center, in its temporary quarters at St. James Church on Funderburg Drive, hosted a veterans’ brunch later that morning. The “Voices of Angels” choir, made up of members of the Senior Center, provided a song, and Kendra Garza was the guest speaker.
Also speaking were Carl Pennamon, chairman of the Jasper County Commission,Otis Clark, Major (Retired) Air Force, and several preachers. Thanks was expressed to the church sponsors of the event, Danny Sorrells, Shiloh Baptist; Dr. Jimmy Horton, Springfield Missionary Baptist; David Artessa, Monticello Baptist, and Benny Dearro, Midway Independent Church.
Friday evening, the American Legion held its annual veterans dinner, and Nancy Stafford was the keynote speaker. Mrs. Stafford, an eight year Air Force veteran, spoke of her experience in the service, taking note that many had much more dangerous jobs than hers, but also how important each job was.
“Being a veteran is a unique personal connection that no one can understand except another veteran. I doesn’t matter when or why a person joined the military or what branch of service. No matter how that person supported the military goals; we all have a common experience and a common relationship that others only see from the outside. Every job in the military is very important, whether it was a cook to keep the troops fed, a radio technician who facilitated communication or a belly gunner on a B-17. Each veteran is an integral part of the whole.”
She had the crowd laughing at times, and at other ties taking a more somber look at their past.
On Sunday, veterans were honored at Monticello First United Methodist Church. The American Legion Color Guard presented the flags, and the message honored veterans. Those present included Willard Lawrence, Kenneth Pope, Marshall Williams, Corbitt Kelly, Lint Jordan, Malone Cunard, Leslie Johnson, Mike Williams, Sam Kelly, and Color Guard members Bill Zaluska, Sidney Jackson, Geneva Miller, Jeff Howe, and Otis Clark.
Although Sunday was officially Veterans’ Day, the holiday was observed on Monday with banks, post offices, and governent offices closed.
