John B. Gordon Chapter 383 held its 148th Memorial Day Service on April 2 , in honor of their ancestors, veterans of all wars and Homeland Defense Service. The service was held at Dawson Street Methodist Church, Thomasville. 

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

Joe Ashcraft, piper, performed for the Procession of UDC members and medal recipients.

Sheila M. Tucker welcomed the assembly and gave the invocation. Tucker led the pledges to the United States Flag, State of Georgia Flag and salute to the First National Flag. 

“The Star Spangled Banner” and “Dixie’s Land” were led by Dorothy Maxwell, chapter vice president.

Tucker, chapter president, with the assistance of Penny Gaskins, presented Crosses of Military Service Medals, National Defense Service Medals, and Homeland Defense Service Medals. Recipients were escorted by Recorder of Military Service Awards, Dianne Ponder. 

Cross of Military Service medals were presented to Larry Leslie Owen, Medal No. 4350for his service in the Vietnam Conflict, as a staff sergeant with Military Assistance Command Mobile Advisory Team 65, U.S.  Army, on the service of his great-grandfather, Private George W. Ledon, in Company G 57th Regiment, Alabama Infantry.

Robert Kendrick Griffin, Medal No. 4349, for his service in the Vietnam Conflict as a sergeant with 377th Combat Security Police Squadron, US.  Air Force, on the service of his great-great-grandfather, George W. Griffin, private in Company A, 28th Battalion, Georgia Artillery, presented posthumously to his nephew Robert Matthew Marchant

Thurston L. Griffiin, Medal No. 17655, for his service in World War II as a technical sergeant with the 8th Fighter Squadron, U.S. Army Air Force on the service of his great-grandfather, George W. Griffin, private in Company A, 28th Battalion, Georgia Artillery, presented posthumously to his grandson Marcus Lee Marchant.

National Defense medals were presented to Jason Patrick Griffin, Medal No. 3216 for his service in the Persian Gulf War as a specialist with the125th Military Intelligence Battalion, U.S. Army on the service of his great-great-great-grandfather, George W. Griffin, private in Company A, 28th Battalion, Georgia Artillery. 

Franklin Lyndall Knight, Medal No. 3217for his service in the Persian Gulf War, a sergeant major with the 169th Military Police Battalion, Training and Doctrine Command, U.S. Army on the service of his great-great-great-grandfather S. S. Strickland, private in Company E, 1st Battalion (Symons’) Georgia Reserves.

John Clarence Stephenson, Medal No. 3215for his service in the Korean War as a staff sergeant, with the 28th Periodic Maintenance Squadron, Strategic Air Command, U.S. Air Force on the service of his great-grandfather David Stephenson, Company E, 50th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, presented posthumously to his son Michael J. Stephenson.

The Homeland Defense Service Award was established at the 123rd Annual General Convention in 2016 in Richmond, Virginia. The award is bestowed upon those who acted courageously to protect other citizens in dangerous situations which reflect honor upon themselves. Homeland Defense Service Awards were presented to Lindsay Marchant, Medal No. 061; Marcus Marchant, Medal No. 063; and Robert Matthew Marchant, Medal No. 062.

Tribute to War Between the States veterans was presented by MaryJulia Coons, chapter member. Tribute to veterans of all wars and tribute to states supporting CSA were presented by Penny Gaskins and Charlotte Brown. Tribute to UDC members was presented by Jinanne Parrish.

Speaker Dianne Ponder, chapter recorder of Military Service Awards, spoke on important facts about the formation and mission of the UDC, which missions are Historical, Benevolent, Educational, Memorial and Patriotic. Ponder also read portions of a letter discovered in UDC minutes in the 1930s. The letter was sent by T. C. Gandy, commander of T. L. Spence Jr. Post No. 31, Thomasville, dated September 27, 1931. This is a letter of acceptance of 57 Crosses of Military Service from John B. Gordon 383 UDC. 

The letter begins by saying “We are proud of this privilege of wearing the “Military Service Cross” of the UDC, because of the association it brings to us of our fathers and grandfathers who served in 1861-1865.”  

Ponder expressed the importance of displaying the American Flag and supporting Veterans of all wars, and especially those presently serving around the world. “Do not waste an opportunity to say thank you to those in the military, Homeland Defense and First Responders.”

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 Jinanne Parrish, Chapter member.

“Taps” was performed by John Gray, trumpeter. Gray is a 2015 Cross of Military Service recipient. 

After the service a surprise plaque of appreciation was presented to Franklin Lyndall Knight by Dianne Ponder and Sheila M. Tucker on behalf of John B. Gordon 383 Chapter for his “Patriotic Devotion to Flag and Country, and endless compassion and support for his fellow Comrades. Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant”  Matthew 25:23.

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