Jones County’s eighth Veterans Appreciation Day is history, and the event once again succeeded in its goal of paying tribute to the county’s veterans.

The program was the highlight of the day, and it was preceded by a veteran’s walk comprised of servicemen and women marching behind banners depicting the nation’s conflicts from World War II to the Persian Gulf War.

As veterans arrived at the event, they were registered, and each received a door prize. The Gray Garden Club was on hand to pin poppies to the honorees, made by third-grade students of Gray Elementary teacher Jeanine Wilson.

A new feature of this year’s program was interviews of World War II veterans Harvey Chase, Arthur McConnell, Grady Tyler, and Korean War veteran Jim Moughon. The veterans were interviewed by Dr. Bob Cramer.

The taping took place at the First Baptist Church by Bobby Bentley, and it was edited by the Jones County High School video journalism class. Due to technical difficulties during the program, the entire DVD was not shown, but the DVDs are available for purchase at the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce.

The guest speaker for the day was Brig. Gen. Larry E. Dudney Jr., commander of Decatur’s 78th Troop Command of the Georgia Army National Guard and former commander of Macon’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Dudney said he enlisted in the Georgia National Guard in 1977, and the guard touched his life as much as his family.

“War is cruel but sometimes is necessary as long as tyrants are in the world,” he began. “We must be the protectors from tyranny.”

Dudney said negotiating is the best way to resolve conflict.

“It is important to remember even the Hundred Years War was ended around the negotiation table,” he said.

The general pointed out that each individual who has lost their life in a war belonged to a family.

“They each had human failings but their strengths are irreplaceable. They gave their lives to preserve our liberty, and we must be worthy of their sacrifice. Each member who has served in the military deserves our gratitude,” he said.

Dudney said freedom cannot be underestimated, and the greatest tribute to the sacrifice of others is to see those freedoms protected.

“We must ensure the lives we lead reflect their sacrifices. They fought for our freedom, and some died for it. We must learn from our past mistakes or they will have died in vain,” he said.

Dudney concluded his remarks with a plea to remember the families of servicemen and women and the bravery and courage of military forces.

“Never forget 9/11. We are facing challenges like never before, and we must respond to these new challenges with bravery and confidence in our just cause,” he added.