Jones County’s Veterans Appreciation Day for 2024 was a huge, flag-waving success with a patriotic march of heroes and a program to honor their service.
The day began with the Col. Allen Carr 5K race that had a record number of runners. The program for the Nov. 9 event was held inside in the auditorium of the W. E. Knox Civic Center.
Jones County Veterans Committee Chairman Ret. Col. Richard Combs welcomed those in attendance and called out the services during the Armed Forces Medley. The medley is a favorite of attendees with service members standing during the playing of the anthem for their branch of service.
Colors for the program were posted by the Jones County JROTC, and the opening prayer was led by Pastor John Norfleet of St. James AMC Church.
JROTC cadets Carly Mercer and Hollie Walton sang the Star-Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful.
Gray Mayor Ed Barbee read the joint resolution from the city and county, proclaiming Nov. 9 Jones County Veterans Appreciation Day.
The keynote speaker was JCHS JROTC Battalion Commander Cadet LTC. Rhett Perry. It was not his first time on the program for the event. Perry was the winner of a 2018 contest to commemorate the 100th anniversary of WWI and gave his multi-media presentation at that year’s Veterans Appreciation Day event.
At this year’s event, Perry spoke as the ranking member of the JROTC. In addition to his role as speaker, Perry also participated in the preceding 5K.
The commander noted that it is estimated by the state of Georgia that 1.7 million Georgians had served their country in times of war and peace. He spoke about the origination of Veterans Day and its importance.
“It’s a nationwide celebration to recognize veterans of the past, present and future. It’s a day to honor those who fought on the front lines as well as those who carried out the logistics and supplies to get them there,” he said.
Perry said, when young men and women raise their hands to swear that oath, they are putting their lives in the hands of elected officials and sacrificing years of their lives.
“It takes a special kind of individual to do so. It’s folks who ask, ‘if not me than who?’ It’s those people who deserve all the support and recognition we can give them, even though they would never ask for it themselves,” he said.
Perry talked about those who signed up to defend their country following the attack on Pearl Harbor and Sept. 11, 2001.
“The best of every generation signs up. Whether drafted or volunteered, Americans have always answered,” he said. “Thank you for your service, and welcome home.”
Following Perry, Veterans Committee members and veterans Russell Curry and Jerry Foltz talked about the Middle Georgia Honor Flight.
The Honor Flight’s mission is to enable United States veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam era wars – as well as any terminally ill veteran – to visit the memorials of armed conflicts in Washington D.C. at no cost to the veterans.
Foltz said, every year, more of these veterans are lost.
“This is a paid trip to give every one of those veterans the opportunity to see their memorials in Washington D.C.,” he said.
Curry said every veteran who goes on the Honor Flight is assigned a guardian for the day to see to their every need. That includes a wheelchair, meals and whatever it takes to keep that veteran comfortable.
He recalled, during his Honor Flight trip, there was a man who boarded the plane with a suitcase. Curry said that seemed odd since it was a day trip. But he said, when they got to the Vietnam War Memorial, that veteran took the suitcase and went to the side of the wall.
“He took a bugle out of the suitcase and played ‘Taps.’ Everything stopped,” he said.
Curry promised the veterans in the audience, if they decide to take the Honor Flight, they will be well cared for.
“It will be a trip you will never forget,” he said.
The final item on the program was the drawing for the winner of the American Legion Rifle Raffle. Buddy Stone won the Henry Golden Boy rifle, and Grant Woodard won second prize, a $100 gift certificate from Ingles.
At the conclusion of the program, the JROTC Honor Guard retrieved the colors, and while the audience was on its feet, “Taps” was played by Robbie Thomas.
