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

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/the-forgotten-war-col-malcom-remembers/nQg6j/

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: