The Veterans at the Library held their weekly meeting, Monday, July 10, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. With Chair John Tapley presiding, there were 39 in attendance including one new veteran: Charles Mershon Townsend served in the U.S. Army from 1950 through 1952. He served with the Sixth Armored Calvary. Townsend is a veteran of the Korean War. His highest rank was Private. Townsend is best known in Swainsboro during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s as co-owner of Swainsboro Speedway along with Red Kight. Their partnership started in 1966 when they purchased the four-year-old racetrack that had being running but had not been organized. Red ran the track and Townsend continued to drive his very successful race cars. Chair Tapley welcomed new veteran Townsend and requested that frequent veterans pass out the cards to other veterans. If you are a veteran, come meet with the veterans at the library every Monday morning at 9:15 a.m. They would be glad to have you. Chair Tapley talked a little about the positive effect the cleanup campaign of the Veterans and First Responders Memorial Park has had on the citizens of Emanuel County. They have trimmed the shrubs, cut the tree canopy to 10’, raked leaves, edged the road and monuments, hauled in mulch for the walking trails, erected Veterans Christmas tree with lights, placed 14 lighted U.S. Flags on the fence for service members that were killed in Afghanistan and the South border, and will soon have a new front monument with the park name and will be painting the benches and bird figurines that are located in the park. The attendance using the park has dramatically increased. Tapley also mentioned that the Veterans are already receiving forms for wreaths to be placed in their Wreaths Across America event that will be held on Saturday, December 17, at 10 a.m. at the Swainsboro City Cemetery.
