The Veterans at the Library Group held a historic Memorial Day event at the newly named Veterans and First Responders Memorial Park on Monday, May 29, 2023. The park is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 80 and Georgia Highway 57. Several weeks ago, Chair John Tapley realized that the PineBrook Nature Park and Bird Sanctuary needed some T. L. C. so the Veterans at the Library volunteered to clean it up. With the help of many veterans and the Swainsboro Police Department community service detail, the park was finally cleaned up Saturday, May 27, with only a large pile of limbs, bushes and leaves piled up just outside of the left gate. Veteran Lige Moore volunteered to remove what was out front. He brought his heavy equipment in and completed the job. Also, the veterans tree needed a sign so Veteran Joe Farmer graciously created one and donated it to the park. Other signs were donated by L & W Sign Company. The morning began at the Emanuel Medical Center at 8:30 a.m with approximately 40 attendees who enjoyed a fantastic breakfast that was donated to them by the hospital. Attendees then moved to the park to get ready for the Memorial Day ceremony, "A Day of Remembrance". Chair Tapley opened the ceremony with a welcome and Rev. Emory Fennell said the invocation followed by Jim Dekle who led the Pledge of Allegiance. John David Bailey then presented the different wars our local servicemen have served in for our freedom, many of which succumbed during those battles; American Revolutionary War, War Between the States, WW I, WW II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Global War on Terror (Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa) Jerry Johnson followed by ringing the bell after each war was read. Then Wayne Canady and Sandra Bailes read the 13 names of each of the service members killed in the August 2021 bombing attack at the Kabul, Afghanistan airport and the name of the Army National Guard soldier who drowned while saving the lives of two immigrants who tried to cross the Rio Grande River in April 2022. The bell was rung after each name was read. Then Fire Chief Mike Strobridge read the three names of the Swainsboro Fire Fighters who were killed on duty. Sgt. Craig Waring read the four names of the Swainsboro Police officers who were killed on duty, Emanuel County Sheriff Jeff Brewer read the name of the one Twin City Police Officer who was killed on duty, Sheriff Jeff Brewer read the three Sheriff Deputy's names killed on duty and Sheriff Jeff Brewer read the name of the one Georgia Bureau of Investigation Officer killed on duty. The bell rang after each name was read. At this time Scotty Nasworthy lowered the original U.S. flag flown over the newly named park and before folding the flag and presenting it to Sherri Watt of the Franklin Memorial Library, a three-round volley musket and cannon salute was fired by the Brier Creek Militia and Brier Creek Artillery, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution. This group fired 3-50 Cal. Flintlock Rifles, 1-75 Cal. Brown Bess Musket, 1-6 pounder Naval Cannon and 1-6 pounder Field Gun. As soon as the volley ended, Bob Nobles played taps on his bugle. Next during the raising of the new U.S. Flag, Bob Nobles played the Star-Spangled Banner. Closing remarks and the benediction was said by Rev. James Mason.
