THOMASVILLE- John B. Gordon Chapter 383 held their 151st Memorial Day Observance on April 12th, in honor of their ancestors, veterans of all wars and Homeland Defense Service. The service was held at Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville. 

Robert H. Parrish, Jr. performed the Prelude of period and patriotic music before the service, hymns during the service and the Interludes between medal presentations.

Joe Ashcraft, piper, performed “Welcome Home” for the Procession of UDC medal recipients. He also performed “A Mans A Man” for the recessional of the Honor Guard retiring the Colors.

Sheila Tucker, President welcomed the assembly and recognized honored guest officers from the Georgia Division UDC. In attendance were Patricia Fountain, Recorder of Military Service Awards, and Catherine Fussell Wells, Assistant Registrar General and President Georgia Division 2010-2012.

Tucker also recognized past Military awards recipients.

The Invocation was given by chapter member Lois Hand. The presentation of Colors was presented by Honor Guard members Joey Little, Lyndall Knight, Greg Thweatt, members of American Legion Post 265 Ochlocknee and Allen-Cook Post No. 4995, VFW, Inc. Florence Harrell, chapter member, presented the UDC Wreath.

Ann Thompson, chapter member, led the pledges to the United States Flag, State of Georgia Flag, and salute to the First National Flag. 

“Dixie’s Land” was led by Dorothy Maxwell, chapter Vice President, accompanied by Robert H. Parrish, Jr.

Tucker, chapter Past President with the assistance of chapter member Penny Gaskins, presented Crosses of Military Service Awards, National Defense Service Award, American Patriot Award, and Homeland Defense Service Awards. Recipients were escorted by Recorder of Military Service Awards Dianne Ponder. 

Cross of Military Service Medals were presented to Charles Neal Evans, Medal No. 4458, for his service in the Vietnam Conflict as a Boatswain’s Mate Petty Officer 3rd Class, 6th Fleet Aircraft Carrier, USS Independence South China Seas, United States Navy, on the Service of his great-great-grandfather, Jefferson Hedrick, who served honorably as a Private in Company A, 64th Virginia Infantry, WBTS.

Nathan Maurice Jackson received Medal No. 4462 for his service in the Vietnam Conflict as a Sergeant, 3rd Core First Infantry Division, N. Saigon, United States Army, on the service of his great-great-grandfather George W. Hunt, who served honorably as a Private in Company H, 5th Georgia Cavalry, WBTS.

Charles William Jackson received Medal No. 4461 for his service in the Vietnam Conflict War as a Specialist 4, 101st Screaming Eagle Division, 326 Medevac Battalion, United States Army, on the service of his great-great-grandfather William C. Jackson, who served honorably as a Corporal in Company F, 3rd Georgia Cavalry, WBTS.

Steve Mahlon Reynolds received Medal No. 4463 for his service in the Vietnam Conflict as a Sergeant, 3rd Marine Division Tanks, Operation Double Eagle, Nam O Bridge Danang Province, United States Marines, on the service of his great-great-grandfather David T. Cooper, who served honorably as a Private in Company I, 31st Georgia Infantry, WBTS.

Ronald Steven Smith received Medal No. 4460 for his service in the Vietnam Conflict as a First Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines, Hill 41 Happy Valley Vietnam, United States Marines, on the service of his great-great-grandfather David Alligood, who served honorably as a Private in Company H, 50th Georgia Infantry, WBTS.

National Defense Service Awards were presented to Charles Mahlon Cooper, Jr., who received Medal No. 3380 for his service in the Vietnam Conflict as a Corporal in the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea, United States Army, on the service of his great-great-grandfather David T. Cooper, who served honorably as a Private in Company I, 31st Georgia Infantry, WBTS.

Langdon Strong Flowers, Jr. received Medal No. 3381 for his service in the Vietnam Conflict as a Lieutenant Junior in Destroyer Squadron 34, USS Strong Ship, United States Navy, on the service of his great-great grandfather William Powell, who served honorably as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company F, 50th Georgia Infantry, WBTS.

Homer Franklin Lang received Medal No. 3382 for his service in the Vietnam Conflict as a Specialist 5 in Team 2, 31st Army Air Defense, Italy, United States Army, on the service of his great grandfather Robert Lang, who served honorably as a Corporal in Company C, 4th Regiment (Clinch’s) Cavalry, WBTS.

Felton Merrell Lasseter received Medal No. 3375 for his service in the Vietnam Conflict (Turkey) in The United States Logistics Group (TUSLOG), United States Air Force, on the service of his great-grandfather James Harris, who served honorably as a Private in Company H, 4th Georgia Cavalry, WBTS.

The American Patriot Service Award was presented to John Gary Bojanac received Medal No. 175 for his service in Desert Storm, as a Lieutenant Colonel, 33rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, United States Air Force. 

Homeland Defense Service/First Responder Awards were presented to Jerome Burgess, Medal No. 124. Captain, Jail Administrator, Thomas County Sheriff’s Department; Heidy Drawdy, Medal No. 119. South Georgia Search Dogs, Inc.; Michael Drawdy, Medal No. 120. South Georgia Search Dogs, Inc.; Tyler Humphrey, Medal No. 123. Thomas County Firefighter; Sara Jackson, Medal No. 121. South Georgia Search Dogs, Inc.; and Derrick Ogletree, Medal No. 122. Thomas County EMS and Firefighter Director.

The program continued with Anita Ward, chapter Register presenting the Tribute to WBTS Veterans. Tribute to Veterans of All Wars was presented by Joan Cooper, chapter Historian. Tribute to Homeland Defense/First Responders was presented by Gaskins, Georgia Division Third Vice President. The Tribute to States Supporting CSA was presented by Tucker, chapter President while Judy Peterson, chapter member placed carnations in a vase, each representing a state and date of recession. Florence Harrell, chapter member, presented the Tribute to UDC Members.

The speaker of the day was Jinanne Parrish, chapter Chaplain. Parrish’s topic was “Why We Observe Confederate Memorial Day.” She spoke about the importance of continuing to educate children about southern heritage. Parrish also spoke about boys going off to war so young, not knowing what they were getting into. The soldier’s solace was to receive mail from home and gather around the camp at night singing hymns. Club members’ ancestors were survivors, and they have left a lasting, positive imprint on members by the way they lived.

“We must continue in their footsteps; live the positive values we have been taught and pass them on to future generations,” said Parrish. 

The program concluded by the assembly singing “How Firm a Foundation” led by Dorothy Maxwell, chapter Vice President, accompanied by Robert H. Parrish, Jr., and the Benediction given by chapter member, Charlotte Brown.

“Taps” was performed by Eli Mateo, Trumpeter. The Colors were retired by Honor Guard members, Joey Little, Lyndall Knight, Greg Thweatt, representing American Legion Post 265 Ochlocknee and Allen-Cook Post No. 4995, VFW, Inc. Chapter member Florence Harrell retired the UDC wreath.

Many expressions of gratitude were extended by those attending the service. The medal recipients were especially grateful and honored to receive such prestigious awards and to follow in their ancestors’ footsteps by protecting and preserving this great country of Freedom.