The Veterans at the Library held their weekly meeting at the Franklin Memorial Library Monday morning, July 27, at 9 a.m. With Chair Johnny Tapley presiding, they had 40 in attendance. J. W. Investments provided the outstanding breakfast consisting of sausage biscuits, blueberries, strawberries and apples. Shari Watt provided the orange juice, grape juice, cranberry juice, apple juice and coffee. Downtown Development Authority Director Melisa Kirby was the speaker and talked about the Karrh Theatre and what is happening there. She also talked about the building next door to the theatre that the city just purchased and will be used along with the Karrh Theatre. Kirby also mentioned that the new digital "marquee" will be installed this week in front of the theatre.
Veterans had two new veterans to attend the Veterans at the Library, Joseph "Keith" Hart and Gladys Collins. Hart served with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Underwood and the USS Samuel Elliot Morrison and in Mayport, FL. He was deployed during to the War on Terror, and his highest rank was E-5. Collins served with the Georgia Army National Guard as a member of Company A, 878th Combat Engineer Battalion in Swainsboro from 1976 to 1980, and her highest rank was E-4.
The Veterans at the Library also participated in the children's reading program at the library this month and had a drawing for two bicycles which were donated by the Veterans at the Library. The winners were Russell Cayler and Mahalia Foster. Congratulations to them both!
Chair Johnny talked about the new Veterans Wall that is under construction at the Veterans and 1st Responders Memorial Park. Be sure and be on the lookout for the flyer that you can use to honor your veteran on the new wall. Spots are on sale now and you can pick up a form at the Franklin Memorial Library.
