HERITAGE DAYS - AG-ED CENTER - FLAG RETIREMENT

The19th Annual Heritage Days exhibits and demonstrations at the Carroll County Agricultural-Education Center were held on Thursday and Friday, September 25 & 26, 2014.  Members of the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park and the American Legion Post 143 demonstrated how a USA flag is retired. (Chaplain Larry Boswell, John Bassett, Karl Kissinger,  Bobby Laney, Ronnie Pate, Dale Robinson are all members of Post 143 and John, Ronnie and Dale are also members of Veterans Park Committee).

This year over 1200 Carroll County fourth grade students toured the 19th-century farmstead and experienced life on the farm as well as the one-room schoolhouse.  Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the classes were guided over the Heritage Trail where a great number of presenters covered things like Homestead living (Log cabin, Blacksmith, and The Mountain Man), a live American Indian teepee and demonstration, a revolution Presentation staring Charles Carroll who explained the Betsy Ross Flag and the other flags of the Revolution, a complete Confederate Army Camp with soldiers firing muskets and a canon.

Then at 12:30 each day approximately 600 fourth graders gathered on the ground in front of the Flag Retirement Team for the formal retirement of one "Old Glory" which is beyond serving as our National symbol any longer.

As the students look at their heritage and see a little of the 19^th century farmstead they can begin to visualize the life lived by the grandparents and great-grandparents and imagine life without computers and air conditioning, etc.  This experience should enrich their curriculum and give them a new appreciation for education and our Veterans!

WORLD WAR II VETERANS HONORED AT VETERAN'S DAY PROGRAM

Congressman Lynn Westmoreland will be the featured speaker at the Veteran’s Day program at the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park, on November 8, 2014 beginning at 9:30 A.M. with music by Terry Lowry and the Carroll County Symphony Orchestra. At 10 A. M. the official ceremony will begin with the Master of Ceremonies Retired Army Lt. Col. Barry Gardner welcoming everyone. Chaplain Will Smith will give the invocation.

The Colors will be presented by the Carrollton High JROTC and the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Hugh Lee Young, a World War II prisoner of War.

Angie Hawksworth from the Whitesburg Christian Church will sing the” National Anthem.”

Gardner will share some facts about WW II and will introduce U.S. Representative Lynn Westmoreland, who will speak about the veterans’ contributions in that war.

Following the speaker, all World War II Veterans attending will be recognized.

Hawksworth will sing “God Bless America.”

Carrollton High JROTC will lay the memorial wreath while local bagpiper, Bob Miller, plays "Amazing Grace."

The American Legion Post 143, Honor Guard Rifle Squad will fire the WW II M1 Garands followed by "Taps."

Closing remarks will be given by Gardner.

Events Chairman Ronnie Pate said, “Please enjoy the music while viewing and handling the Military artifacts on display. Of course make yourself at home at this Park that Honors Veterans from Valley Forge to Afghanistan.”

ATTENTION EVERYONE: If you know of living WW II Veterans from Carroll County not involved in the American Legion Post 143, please contact Don Levans at 770-830-5979 or e-mail him at donlevans@msn.com and furnish the name and phone number where the Veteran can be reached.

NOTE: The Park grounds will have displayed vehicles, weapons and memorabilia from WW II. Two six-by-six trucks and an authentic WW II Jeep will be loaned to us by the Tallapoosa Veterans Memorial Park. Remember the Veterans Park holds two Memorial Services annually. In April 2014, a service by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans honored the 194 Carroll County soldiers who died in the Civil War. In May on the Saturday nearest Memorial Day a service is held to honor all deceased Veterans. Those from Carroll County Killed-In-Action in the various wars are shown on the KIA Walls.

UWG & CFWG PARTNER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

On September 12th, 2014, Dr. Amber Smallwood Ph. D (UWG Associate Dean, College of Social Sciences), Dr. Brad Yates (Mass Communications Professor), and 30 student social science majors/volunteers came to the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park to catalog the Bricks which line the walkways.  Park President Don Levans and Chairman John Bassett lead a brief tour and provided some background information about the mission of the Park, membership, and how to purchase a plaque or brick.

This was part of the September 12^th, 2014 second annual “Event for Impact: Serving Humanity and Doing Public Good.”  UWG students, faculty and staff were invited to dedicate the morning of Friday, September 12 to making a difference in the community.  In partnership with the Community Foundation of West Georgia the volunteer served nonprofit groups like Veterans, seniors, Children & adults experiencing poverty, and the Environment.

Levans explained about the Memorial and Veteran’s Day Programs held at the Park each year and that various other groups also had ceremonies there – all open to the public.  

He invited them to the November 8^th, 2014 Veteran’s Day program at 10 A.M. which will include honoring WWII Veterans.

Pictured from the left are Catelyn Carpenter, Dalia Maisonet, and Jenee Archibald as they are recording the name and information shown on the bricks.

Different groups worked in various sections of the Park to complete the job.

All the students had an opportunity to view the Walls of Honor and think about the sacrifices many made to keep our country free.  We hope they will share what they learned with others and bring them to the programs at the Park.  All our young people need to know about our memorial park designed to honor those who served from the Revolutionary War to the current War on Terrorism.

UP DATE ON WALLS OF HONOR

We currently have Wall Number 24 completed and the information has been given to the contractor to prepare the materials for installation. Wall Number 23 is almost complete - just a few more details are needed! It is amazing to think that we will have 1152 Veterans Plaques on the Walls of Honor when these are completed.

But we are not done yet - work is already underway to construct six new Walls of Honor. Plans are being made and the funds are being requested. This is the way to honor our Veterans for their courage, bravery, patriotism and sacrifice - from the American Revolution to the current War on Terrorism. Applications will be accepted for the new Walls of Honor for Veterans and anyone can purchase a brick to have inscribed with a Veteran's name or anyone who want to show their support for the Park. To make a purchase contact Ron Knowles at 404-747-9785.)

                                WALL OF HONOR 24:

Williamson James R Sr	24-1105
Allen Jerry K	24-1106
Ballenger Steve M	24-1107
Cook Bryan E	24-1108
Crosson Dudley L Jr	24-1109
Dean James B Sr	24-1110
Light John S	24-1111
Loftin Harold D	24-1112
Lynn Johnny Ray Jr	24-1113
Riddle Napoleon	24-1114
Potts Omereo C Sr	24-1115
Reese Jerry D	24-1116
Bearden Stanley C	24-1117
Bennett Kelly C	24-1118
Berry Michael S	24-1119
Edwards Anna I	24-1120
Frost Charles H Jr	24-1121
Gibson Robert C	24-1122
Parrish William R	24-1123
Pearson Wade W	24-1124
McLarty Christopher B	24-1125
Schultz Russell L	24-1126
Shadrix Brian G	24-1127
Shadrix Kenneth F	24-1128
Boyd David L	24-1129
Brewer Larry D	24-1130
Bunting Kenneth E	24-1131
Herbert James C	24-1132
Hosey William T III	24-1133
House Willie B III	24-1134
Perry George H	24-1135
Pinkard Michael	24-1136
Pittman Gerald A	24-1137
Shackelford Donnie E	24-1138
Stone Michael S	24-1139
Thomas Michael F	24-1140
Busch Michael L	24-1141
Capes Alvin H	24-1142
Caraveo Andres	24-1143
Hughes Harry E Jr	24-1144
Jarrell Phil D	24-1145
Keever Charles T	24-1146
Prewett Guy	24-1147
Podaras Brandon J	24-1148
Porter James E	24-1149
Wright Ian D	24-1150
Wilson Chad B	24-1151
Vassy Douglas C	24-1152