Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park, Georgia
Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Association, Inc. P.O. Box 1062 Carrollton, GA 30112
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Saturday, November 2, 2024
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2024 – VETERANS DAY PROGRAM AT THE CCVMP
Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Association
will present a Veterans Day Program at the Veterans Park to honor the military
veterans of Carroll County on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. Terry Lowry and his orchestra will begin
playing patriotic music at 10:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 11 a.m. The
speaker for the event will be Donald Levans. Seating will be provided but you can
also bring your own. Veterans Day is a
day of recognition and thanks to our living veterans who have given a part of
their lives to protect our way of life.
Please join us at The Park and help us give a “thank you and welcome
home” to those who served. While you are
there, please take the time to walk through the Walls of Honor in the Park.
ONGOING – THE PARK HONORS A MILITARY VETERANS WITH
A PLAQUE ON A WALL OF HONOR IN THE PARK.
Contact bill Maddox at 770-832-6442 for information or inquire in person
while you are at the program.
Sunday, May 19, 2024
VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY EVENT - MAY 25, 2024 - CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY EVENT – MAY 25, 2024
The Carroll County Veterans Memorial Association will pay
tribute to SSG William Jerome Rivers during the CCVMPA’s annual Memorial Day
event, which is annually held on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day.
A plaque in his memory, paid for by Carrollton’s American
Legion Post 143, is the first on the park’s new Wall of Honor Number 32.
Rivers’ wife and family have been invited as special guests.
Four-Star Marine Gen. Charles Wilhelm, a Carroll County
resident, will be the featured speaker at the event, which will begin at 10:30
a.m. with the Carroll Symphony Ensemble playing patriotic music, followed by
the program at 11 a.m.
STAFF SGT. RIVERS TO BE HONORED DURING MEMORIAL DAY EVENT - MAY 25, 2024 AT THE CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK.
Sunday, March 31, 2024
NEW OFFICERS FOR THE CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK ASSOCIATION FOR 2024-2025 INSTALLED
New officers for the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park
Association for 2024-2025 were sworn into office at a recent meeting at
Brookdale by CCVMP President Barry Gardner. Pictured from left are Margaret
Miller, membership chair; Bill Maddox, board member; Bruce Browning, secretary;
Rebecca Smith, treasurer; Dale Robinson, board member; and Barry Gardner,
president. Not pictured are Mike Washington, vice president; Chaplain Bill
Tidwell; and board members Ron Reinhold and Ronnie Pate. The mission of the
CCVMP Association is to honor Carroll County military veterans.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
SSG WILLIAM J. RIVERS OBITUARY
SSG William J. Rivers Obituary
SSG. William Jerome Rivers, affectionately known as “Will,” was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 1977. He was the second son of Annette Belinda Jenkins and Edward Rivers. The vibrant neighborhoods of Philadelphia shaped William’s formative years. He spent his early childhood in North Philadelphia, where he was surrounded by the warmth of family and friends.
William received his education within the Philadelphia Public Schools system. He proudly graduated from Germantown High School and continued to pursue further studies at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and Lincoln Technical Institute.
William had the pleasure of meeting and eventually marrying Darlene Arnold, a joyous union that brought forth their beloved son, William Rivers Jr. He embodied unwavering dedication as a loving spouse and father. William had a gentle demeanor and a fierce and determined personality and was always ready to face life’s challenges with courage and resilience. He had an infectious smile, a warm heart, and a genuine ability to make everyone around him feel valued and loved. He was a pillar of strength and a loving presence in the lives of his family. His kindness, compassion, and relentless support were the foundation of their happiness and well-being.
SSG. William J. Rivers enlisted in the Army Reserve on August 30, 2011, as an Interior Electrician (12R). He was first assigned to the 990th Engineer Company at Fort McGuire-Dix in N.J. after completing advanced individual training, then served with the 465th Vertical Engineer Company. In 2018, SSG Rivers was assigned to the 375th Vertical Construction Company and completed a 9-month rotation to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2022, SSG Rivers was assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Fort Moore, Ga. SSG River’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with “C” Device, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, three Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device and Bronze hourglass, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, two Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and a Combat Badge.
SSG. Rivers was a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many. From a young age, he displayed a deep sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country. In pursuit of his passion, SSG. Rivers enlisted in the military and embarked on a remarkable journey that would make him a true American hero. Throughout his distinguished career, SSG. Rivers demonstrated valor, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to his duty. He served with honor and distinction, going above and beyond the call of duty to protect and defend his fellow servicemen and women and the values that make this nation great.
William was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Edward Rivers and Annette Belinda Jenkins. He leaves to cherish his memories: Wife, Darlene Rivers; Son, William Rivers Jr.; Stepson, Leonard (Kim) Chisholm; Stepdaughter, Leah Chisholm; Special Friend/Brother, Lindon Barrett; Brother, Edward Jenkins; Sister, Shabrae Jones; Sister, Alliner (Michelle)Jenkins; Brother-in-Laws, Donald (Deloris) Arnold and Wayne Arnold, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. SSG. William Rivers will forever be remembered as a true American hero, a loving husband, a devoted father, and a selfless individual who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
A funeral service will be held to honor and celebrate SSG. Rivers life on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM from Tabernacle Baptist Church, with Dr. James Betner officiating. For those unable to attend the service, a live stream of the service will be available on Hightower Family Funeral Home’s Facebook page. A private interment service will take place at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton.
The family will receive friends at Tabernacle Baptist Church on Monday, February 12, 2024, from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Messages of condolences can be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Monday, February 5, 2024
Carroll County Prepares to Honor Fallen Georgia Soldier Sgt. William Jerome Rivers
By Rohit
Mehta
Published
on January 31, 2024
Tributes
are being organized in Carroll County for Army reservist Sgt. William Jerome
Rivers, one of the three Georgia soldiers tragically killed in a recent drone
strike in Jordan. Sgt. Rivers, along with Specialist Kennedy Sanders of
Waycross, and Specialist Breonna Moffett from Savannah, lost their lives during
a strike on a U.S. base near the Syrian border, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The
community is set to inscribe Sgt. Rivers’ name is on the wall at the Carroll
County Veterans Memorial Park, honoring those who fell in service.
Speaking
to WJCL, retired US Army Lt.
Col. Barry Gardner, president of the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park
Association, expressed his commitment to commemorating the fallen soldier.
"Our hearts are broken," Gardner said, indicating the association
will add Sgt. Rivers's name to their wall honoring the fallen. He added,
"The term brotherhood, sisterhood is probably overused, but it's a fact.
And Sgt. Rivers' name will be approximately in this area down here under a new
title."
Sgt.
Rivers had been part of the 718th Engineering Company at Fort Moore, joining
the Army Reserve in 2011 and completing a 9-month tour in Iraq. The Department
of Defense confirms his significant contributions to the nation’s military
efforts. According to FOX 5, a dedication
ceremony in the park will fully honor Sgt. Rivers for his service and
sacrifice.
A
date for the dedication ceremony is yet to be announced, as the organizers
remain in communication with the Rivers' family, taking their readiness into
account. The expected ceremony will likely attract a large gathering including
community members, the American Legion's rifle squad, and a contingent from
Fort Moore as per details shared with FOX 5. Lt. Col. Gardner
conveyed his personal connection to the losses faced in combat, stating,
"I'm 25 year active duty in the Army, myself. Vietnam, in the beginning. A
few of my friends were killed in action, and any time a service member dies in
action it hits home for me."
Uniformed
military officers reportedly delivered the somber news to Sgt. Rivers' family
in Carrollton, and local police have been providing privacy support. Gardner
expressed that the soldiers’ families made the ultimate sacrifice. "My
condolences to the family of all three soldiers. They've given the ultimate
sacrifice, and we're here to honor them," he told FOX 5.
******
The arrangements for SSG William Jerome Rivers are incomplete at
this time and will be announced in the coming days by Martin & Hightower
Funeral Home. The family asks for your continued prayers during this difficult
time.
Messages of condolences can be sent to the family at
www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is in charge
of the arrangements.