We Had The Most Wonderful Time

We held our second annual Veterans' Coffee last Friday, November 13th. We were just one of many celebrations in town to honor our Veterans during the week, and we had the most wonderful
time.
Our director, Melody Jenkins, started the program off with a heartfelt welcome, and then everyone stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterwards, Melody read the wonderful rendition of the Pledge as once said by Red Skelton. If you've never heard it (and you can find it on YouTube), you should. It will bring tears to your eyes.
Next, Dr. Hugh Ward, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Moultrie, brought the Invocation. His words of thankfulness and compassion echoed many people's thoughts.
Then Melody announced the names of the people who worked on the Veterans' interviews. Members of the Colquitt County High School's video team were Becca Evers and Dusti Hall. Their teacher was Samantha Hardin. And the videographer was the person who pulled the whole thing together, Mr. Beau Sherman of South Georgia Governmental Services Authority.
Of course, they had help, and such distinguished help made us all proud to know them.
The Veterans that were interviewed were: Jack Bridwell, Hinton Reeves, Hoyt Whelchel, Jim Kirk, Manis V. Long, Judson McLean, Hiller Gammage, Dr. Walter Harrison, Jr., Clarence J. Summerford, Emery J. Suber, and Howard Hall.
Beau Sherman made DVDs of their interviews about their years in the service. Copies of the DVDs were presented not only to the Veterans, but to Ann Glass, chairperson of the Catherine M. Bryant Veterans History Project at the library, and Jack Bridwell of the museum of Colquitt County History. The DVDs will be available at the library and museum for patrons to view.
After the program, the guests filled their plates with food and watched the interviews as they were shown to the
audience.
And food!!! Goodness, there was food galore!!! All provided by library staff members, as well as members of the John Benning Chapter of NSDAR, the Moultrie McNeil Chapter of UDC, the Moultrie Federated Guild, and Friends of the Library. Flowers were also provided by Ms. Mildred Rentz.
It's wonderful that the City of Moultrie took the time to come together and celebrate the service and dedication of our Veterans. It's something that we should do everyday, not just once or twice a year. I heard the other day that we now have only 93 World War II Veterans living. Of course, we have Veterans from all the other campaigns, and somewhere in the future their numbers will dwindle also.
In the meantime, when you see a Veteran, be sure to shake his hand and tell him how much you appreciate what he gave to help keep you free in our home of the brave.