The Veterans at the Library held their weekly meeting at 9:15 a.m. Monday, November 20, at Franklin Memorial Library in Swainsboro. With Chair Johnny Tapley presiding, there were 33 in attendance, with a fantastic breakfast. They had three new veterans to attend the meeting, Keith A. Choate, Daniel Andrews and James Wesley Mincey. Keith served in the U.S. Army from February 1974 through October 1996. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division and was stationed at Fort Bragg, Vicenza, Italy, Babenhauser, Germany and Neu ulm Germany. Keith also served in Vietnam, Panama Canal Invasion, Invasion of Grenada, Desert Eagle and Desert Storm. His highest rank was SFC/E-7. Daniel served in the U.S. Navy and his highest rank was E-4. James served in the U.S. Navy as part of the Naval Security Group, 117 ACS and the U.S. Air Force. He served from January 1968 through July 1970 and then re-enlisted and served from July 1979 through July 1985. James also served in the U.S. Reserves until 2006. He served in Vietnam and Iraqi Freedom. James was stationed in California, Vietnam, South America, Far East, Europe and Iraq. His highest rank was E-6. Chair Johnny reminded all veterans about the "Wreaths Across America" project and that it's coming up fast. On December 2, they will be placing small U.S. Flags on all the veteran's graves. On December 16, they will be placing the wreaths on all those graves after the 10 a.m. ceremony at the Swainsboro City Cemetery. Then on January 20, 2024, they will pick up all the wreaths from the veteran's graves.
