The Veterans at the Library held their weekly meeting, Monday, May 15, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. with Chair Johnny Tapley presiding, there were 38 in attendance, including one new veteran, Homer Lee Walden, Jr. Walden served in the United States Marine Corps March 1972 to April 1975. He was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina. He also served in the Company D, 878th Engineer Battalion, Hvy, Georgia Army National Guard in Swainsboro for two years from 1975 to 1977. His MOS was a Communication Center Operator in the Marine Corps. His highest rank was Lance/Corporal. Last year the citizens of Emanuel County placed over 1,500 wreaths on veterans' graves. This year the veterans hope to increase the number substantially. They are looking for volunteers to become the contact for the many cemeteries in the county. The contact person will be responsible for surveying their cemetery to determine how many veterans are buried there, prepare their list of names and branch of service, submit their list to Jane Durden and Scotty Nasworthy, pay for each wreath to be ordered by us, and on December 14-15, 2023, pick up their wreaths and place on their veteran's graves. Chair Tapley discussed the upcoming event at the "Veterans and 1st Responders Memorial Park at the corner of Highway 57 and U.S. Highway 80 on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m., May 29, 2023. The public is invited to this event. For information on the Wreaths Across America call Jane Durden or Scotty Nasworthy. Jane can be reached at 478-494-4113 and Scotty can be reached at 478-455-3264.
