HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED
The Jones County Veterans Committee continues to meet to put final touches on this year’s Veterans Appreciation program, with plans for making it the best-ever event.
The program is scheduled Nov. 12 on the grounds surrounding the W.E. Knox Center. The Sept. 21 meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Richard Combs.
The first Jones County Veterans Appreciation Day program took place Nov. 3, 2001.
Committee member reports started with an update of military memorabilia from all services collected by Charlotte Hinson to be distributed to veterans, and Anita Dockery shared the draft agenda of the Nov. 12 program.
Dockery also talked about the layout of the program and registration changes. Combs spoke about bringing back the Veterans March. The consensus was the veterans would line up near the Jones County Cruisers and march to the stage.
Scott Walston with Gray Memorial Chapel spoke about laying wreaths at the Jones County Veterans Memorial following the conclusion of the program. The mortuary purchases pavers for the veterans it serves, and the laying of the wreaths would honor those and all veterans.
Combs said Hart’s Jones County Chapel is supplying the stage once again this year.
Committee member Joy Carr said a quintet from the Jones County High School Chorus would perform at the program, and she also shared quotes from different vendors for T-shirts and trophies for the Col. Allen Carr Memorial 5K that will take place the morning of the program.
5K Registration applications are available at the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce. Anyone with questions about the race can contact Buddy Davis at 478-491-2922.
Committee Secretary Bonnie Duke reported that 75 percent of the advertising monies for the 5K race has been received, and 400 military service hats that were ordered had been received.
An assortment of the hats was on display at the meeting.
Capt. Michael McMillan, Senior Army Instructor for the Jones County High School JROTC, said he was working on an JROTC team to run in the 5K in addition to the cadets who would be helping with the event.
McMillan said the JROTC drill team would set up next to the cafeteria of the old school.
Committee member Lehman Wood talked about carts available for use from the City of Gray and Jones County Sheriff’s Department for the event.
Russell Curry reported that tickets for American Legion Post 142 barbecue chicken dinners would be available from Legion members the first of October in addition to tickets for the Legion’s annual Rifle Raffle. Curry can be contacted at 478-973-6641 for more information about the tickets. Dinner tickets must be purchased before the event.
The next meeting of the Veterans Committee is scheduled Oct. 19.
