WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (Ghost Studios) – With early signs of winter and freeze warnings just lifted due to effects from the arctic blast in Warner Robins, that didn’t stop veterans and their families from gathering at City Hall to enjoy a day of celebration and remembrance.
Warner Robins Annual Veterans Day Ceremony kicked off with the Presentation of the Colors by Warner Robins Fire Department and Warner Robins Police Department Joint Honor Guard as the community joined in singing the National Anthem lead by Jeremy Fermin, Marketing & Communications Specialist for Warner Robins, followed by the Pledge of Alliance and Laying of the Wreath by Veterans of Foreign Wars or (VFW) Post 6605.
Kathy Jones, President of Rolling Thunder Georgia 3, whose Chapter has been in existence for 14 years and is the only Chapter in Georgia out of 159 counties, dedicated an Armband in honor of their founder who started Rolling Thunder 35 years ago and recently passed away in May. The dedication was also to represent all those Missing in Action (MIA), 1250 in Georgia alone, with the Armband’s new home being under the flag pole outside of city hall.
“Verterans Day means the world to me because of this gentleman right here,” said Jones gesturing to her jacket. “My late husband, who served in the Korean War, in the army, my daddy was an army vet, my brother served in Desert Shield and in Desert Storm, so this organization means the world to me and I love our veterans and I’m very grateful because if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have our freedom today.”
Jones also discussed her hope for young people in the country encouraging them to join the armed forces and get the experience of a lifetime as two of her children are also joining this coming February.
Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick expressed that Everyday in Middle Georgia is in fact Armed Forces Appreciation Day (EDIMGIAFAD) and followed with a quote from Michael Castle before personally addressing the audience.
“Freedom was fought for, blood was shed and we deserve every piece of freedom that we get, but it also must continue to be fought for, so to all of our brave military members in this audience thank you, to all of our veterans thank you, to everyone who went abroad across the sea to fight for the freedoms that some of us take for granted everyday thank you, thank you, thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice, and for some of you thank you for your continued sacrifice,” said Mayor Patrick.
Aubrey Mitchell, a Vietnam Veteran, originally from Waynesboro, Virginia, who served 25 years in the Air Force and a part of VFW Post 9998 and the Warner Robins Veterans Affairs Board, says he’s been in the city for about 35 years now and was thankful that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial finally came to fruition with the help of Mayor LaRhonda Patrick.
“We fought the war over there, some made it and some didn’t, that was one of the worse wars we’ve had, but because of that a lot of people here can enjoy the freedoms we have,” said Mitchell. “Nobody comes over here and tries to take over our country because of all that’s happened, they can sit back and relax,” Mitchell continued. “We are the most powerful county in the world.”
Lamar Pounds, District 9 Commander for VFW Post 658, thanked and discussed the efforts of those who fought for freedom around the world.
“Whether your career spanned two years or 40 years, your service is greatly appreciated,” said Pounds. “It took each and everyone of us to accomplish the goals that our nation asked us to perform, your service is why this county is free.”
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