Submitted photoOn the front row, left to right, are Penny Gaskins, Norman Sinclair, Michael Dekle, Cindy Massey, Sheila Tucker, Billy Hart, Christopher Baggett, and Dianne Ponder; back row, Cecil Stewart, Donald Griffin, Darryl Stewart, Larry Smith, Gary Hudson, Donnie Baggett and James Maddox.

Members of the John B. Gordon Chapter 383 held their 147th Memorial Day Service on May 1, in honor of their ancestors, veterans of all wars and Homeland Defense Service. The service was held at Dawson Street Independent Methodist Church, Thomasville.

Robert H. Parrish Jr. performed the prelude of period and patriotic music before the service and the Interludes between medal presentations.

Chapter President Sheila M. Tucker welcomed the assembly. The Invocation, pledges to the United States flag, State of Georgia flag and salute to the First National flag were given by chapter chaplain Doris Davies.

Tucker and Penny Gaskins presented Crosses of Military Service Medals, National Defense Service Medals, Certificates of Appreciation, and Homeland Defense Service Medals. Recipients were escorted by Recorder of Military Service Awards, Dianne Ponder.

Cross of Military Service Medals were presented to

Christopher Adam Baggett, Medal No. 325

Global War on Terror, specialist, 3rd Striker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, United States Army on the service of his great-great great-grandfather Private Ephraim Bishop, Campbell’s Indpt. Co., Siege Artillery, Georgia Volunteers.

Billy Eugene Hart, Medal No. 4303

Vietnam Conflict, private first class, 560th Military Police Company, Vung T’au, Vietnam, United States Army on the service of his great-great-grandfather Private S. G. Hart, Company G, 59th Regiment, Georgia Infantry.

James Gary Hudson Jr., Medal No. 4304

Vietnam Conflict, sergeant, 834th Aircraft Group, Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, United States Air Force on the service of his great-great-grandfather Corporal W. K. Merck, Company D, 55th Regiment, Georgia Infantry.

James Buchanan Maddox Jr., Medal No. 4305

Vietnam Conflict, specialist 4, 3rd Radio Reconnaissance Unit, Tan Son Nhut Airbase, United States Army on the service of his great-grandfather Private Cary M. Maddox, Company C, 29th Regiment, Georgia Infantry.

National Defense Medals were presented to

Donnie Luther Baggett,  Medal No. 3156

Vietnam Conflict, fireman recruit aboard the USS Constellation, United States Navy on the service of his great-great-grandfather Private Ephraim Bishop, Campbell’s Indpt. Co., Siege Artillery, Georgia Volunteers.

Billy Howard Hudson, Medal No. 3157

Vietnam Conflict, sergeant, 96th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, United States Air Force on the service of his great-great-grandfather Corporal W. K. Merck, Company D, 55th Regiment, Georgia Infantry.

Norman Frank Sinclair, Medal No. 3155

Vietnam Conflict, sergeant, HQ Warner Robins Air Material Area, Air Force Logistics Command, United States Air Force on the service of his great-great-grandfather Private William Fain, Company F, 32nd Regiment, Georgia Infantry.

Larry Dean Smith, Medal No. 3158

Vietnam Conflict, private, 123rd Medical Corps, 55th Medical Group, United States Army on the service of his great-grandfather Corporal W. K. Merck, Company D, 55th Regiment, Georgia Infantry.

Darryl Delano Stewart, Medal No. 3154

Persian Gulf War, specialist 4, Company C, 20th Engineer Battalion. Forces Command, United States Army on the service of his great-grandfather Private John S. Stewart, Company C, 6th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented in appreciation of honorable service in the armed forces of the United States of America to

Michael Alan Dekle 

Sergeant, Company C, 143rd Signal Battalion from 13 August 1979 to 12 August 1982, United States Army on the service of his great-great-grandfather 3rd Lieutenant William G. Dekle, Company F, 50th Regiment, Georgia Infantry.

Cecil Delano Stewart

Private, Company D, 14th Battalion, 3rd Training Regiment from 24 January 1960 to 23 July 1960, United States Army on the service of his grandfather Private John S. Stewart, Company C, 6th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry.

Homeland Defense Service Awards

Donald W. Griffin Jr., Medal No. 041

FEMA Retiree 30 years

Cindy Massey, Medal No. 040

FEMA

The benediction was given by Doris Davies followed with the assembly singing “Blest be the Tie that Binds.” “Taps” was performed by John Gray, trumpeter, a 2015 Cross of Military Service recipient.