Saturday, November 28, 2015

PLAQUE ON THE WALL OF HONOR FOR CHRISTMAS

Honor a Veteran
(Living or deceased)
With a
Plaque for Christmas
There is no better way to honor a Veteran than to purchase a Plaque
(16 inches by 16 inches-white marble)
And record his/her military record on the Wall of Honor at the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park.
Contact Ronald Knowles at

404-747-9785.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

CELEBRATING OUR MILITARY VETERANS

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:







Monday, November 2, 2015

INVITATION FROM BROOKDALE CARROLLTON FOR DINNER ON NOVEMBER 23, 2015


Good News: Jenny Leibowitz  of Brookdale Carrollton, (formerly Horizon Bay Carrollton GA, Assisted Living community for seniors) has invited the CCVMP Committee to meet and enjoy a complementary - delicious dinner.  It is located at 530 Northside Drive, Carrollton, GA.  Mark your calendar now for November 23, 2015 at 6 P. M.
We will be treated as special and be served a wonderful meal - so come hungry!

UWG HONOR STUDENTS VOLUNTEER


Recently a group of extremely eager, willing and ready to work Honor Students from the University of West Georgia came for a service project.  It was planned for about 11 students to Wash Walls from 9 A. M. to Noon and buckets, hoses, brushes, etc. were ready.  However, approximately 26 came so the plans were changed and the group was divided into three teams.  More jobs were quickly organized.  On team removed walkway bricks that had shifted positions, repaired the base and applied new sand before replacing the bricks.  Another team repaired the grass sod that was damaged in the construction of the new sound system.
This turned out to be a wonderful improvement to the Park and those attending the Veterans Day program on November 7, 2015 will be able to view what was accomplished.
*****************************************************************************************
(Additional information received )
As written by Stacey Rowland 
UWG Manager of Honors College, 

The morning of Saturday, October 31, was most memorable as Honors College students from The University of West Georgia worked together with military veterans to clean-up the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park in preparation for the upcoming Veterans Day event.  The service event began with a touching and inspirational history and overview of the park provided by the military veterans. Then 21 students and the veterans worked together in groups to wash the Walls of Honor, level the uneven bricks along the walk way, clean up the plant beds, and other activities as deemed necessary.  As a mom who has a son who is serving our country in the military, I was especially touched by the hard work and initiative of the students as they cleaned up the park.  The veterans also took time with the students to help them understand the importance of patriotism and to providing recognition to all those who have served or who are currently serving our country.   Thank you Honors College Students for volunteering your time!