HONORING SERVICE
A dedicated group of volunteers have started pulling together an event unique to Jones County that has paid tribute to local veterans for more than 20 years.
The veterans committee started meeting in June to plan Jones County’s Veterans Appreciation Day that is scheduled this year, appropriately, Nov. 11.
The committee is led by retired Col. Richard Combs, who has announced it will be his last year in the post. He and his wife have plans to move to North Carolina to be with their daughter and her family. Combs has chaired the committee since 2008.
According to notes from the meetings by member Frank Duke, the first meeting of 2023 was held June 22. The meetings are held in the small conference room at the W.E. Knox Center.
At that meeting, secretary Bonnie Duke said military service caps that are a big hit with the veterans were in short supply from the vendor. She said committee has a good supply but planned to try to order more to be sure there are hats for every veteran.
The committee also talked about the cost of the stage used at the event, which has been sponsored by Harts. Even so, they are considering options, due to the excessive cost.
Member Joy Carr brought up the idea of short presentations by an JROTC cadet from Jones County High School and another from an older veteran.
Capt. Michael McMillian, Senior Army Instructor for the JCHS JROTC, said the drill team and other volunteers would participate in this year’s event.
Member Roger Hawke, who is also a member of American Legion Post 142, said lunch tickets for the event and raffle tickets for a Henry Rifle would soon be available.
Hawke said this year he is making ‘God Bless America’ plaques for veterans.
The next meeting was held Aug. 24, and it was agreed the theme of the event would remain “Honoring All Who Served.”
Committee reports included that the stage would be supplied by two individuals, and Buddy Davis would head up the veterans 5K race that starts off the day’s events. Robbie Thomas has agreed to play “Taps” this year.
McMillan reported that a cadet would speak at the event. He also gave an overview of activities of the JROTC, including the progress of the obstacle course that will be used to host Raider competitions. He said a competition is scheduled Sept. 16 and is open to the public.
The captain said 90 cadets are enrolled in the program.
American Legion Post 142 Commander Russell Curry gave and update about the rifle raffle. He said tickets would be $10 each or three for $20. He requested the drawing for the rifle be placed on the program.
Curry said Legion members would be selling lunch tickets, but the price had yet to be determined.
The commander spoke to the committee about the Honor Flight for any veteran wanted to tour Washington Monuments including Arlington Cemetery. He said he plans to have a representative of the organization at the Veterans Appreciation Day event.
Curry also talked about the Patriot Honor Guard Riders, which he is a member. They ride motorcycles as a group to escort deceased veterans during funeral proceedings.
Combs commented member Anita Dockery who headed up the update of the veterans list and a grid system for the pavers at the courthouse for easier identification and location of the pavers.
Members listed as attending the meetings were Combs, Wayne Bowden, Paula Bowden, Hawke, McMillan, Combs, Carr, Lehman Wood, Frank Duke, Bonnie Duke, Bob Morgan, Curry and Dockery.
The next meeting of the committee is scheduled at 1:30 p.m., Sept. 21.
