On Saturday, November 7, 2015, the community gathered at the
Carrollton County Veterans Memorial Park to celebrate our Veterans and
recognize our Korean Era Veterans. It
was mentioned that Chaplain Smith was asked to try to arrange for the rain to
stop long enough for the program – he with a lot of help from above did a great
job! The Carroll Wind Ensemble and Terry
Lowry provided beautiful music for the event.
This is a group picture of the Veterans who served during the
Korean War Era – the Times-Georgian made a picture which will be in the local
newspaper.
LTC Barry Gardner (USA Ret.) welcome everyone and presided
throughout the program.
Park Chaplain Will Smith prayed for the group and requested a
special blessing for all our veterans and troops while giving God the glory for
keeping our country free.
The Carrollton High School JROTC Presented the Colors, which
was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The National Anthem was led by Courtney Vance (left) and Anna
Carnes. They were excited and honored to
be asked to participate. Good job girls –
we are always thrilled to see our young people showing their patriotism!
The Laying of the Wreath was performed by the Carrollton High
School JROTC and the various Veterans Organizations. Next the Post 143 Honor Guard Rifle Squad,
located behind the maps, performed their tribute very well.
Barry Gardner recognized the Korean Era Veterans and
introduced the Keynote Speaker, Col. Ben Malcom (USA Ret.). He is a Korean War insurgent and a forerunner
to what is known today as the U.S. Army Special Forces. He routinely conducted
covert operations from behind the North Korean enemy lines and was responsible
for rallying hundreds of North Korean sympathizers and freedom fighters, from
the seclusion of a private island in the South Korean Sea in 1952. Working in coordination with the CIA the
whole operation was top secret and it was not until the mid-1990s that the
details of his assignments were declassified.
He told his story by using maps and pictures. The 1997 book “The White Tigers” tells the
stories of Col. Ben Malcom. Learn more about Malcom at the web site
The current Park President Don Levans presented information
about the need for the Park Expansion and a few facts about the Community
involvement which made it possible. He
announced that the new speaker system was being used today for the first
time. Levans explained that Landscape Architect
Sandra Vierling was there to guide the process and made sure everything was
properly placed. He introduced the
Chairman of the Carroll County Commissioners, Marty Smith, and he dedicated the
six additional Walls of Honor.
Chairman Smith expressed his gratitude for the partnership
between the County, the Park Committee, and the local community. He agreed with others that we have one of the
most beautiful parks dedicated to honoring our Veterans. He complemented the workers for doing an
outstanding job keeping the Park looking its best all the time. Following the dedication Anna Carnes &
Courtney Vance sang “God Bless America” with the attendees joining in. Closing remarks were made by Barry Gardner.
Here are some more pictures made at the Park before and after
the program:
