Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame

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Let us recognize that the liberty we enjoy today is a testament to the selfless sacrifices of those who envisioned a better future, and continue to strive towards a brighter tomorrow.

Purchase tickets today click on QR Code or use the link:
Link to select table and seat:
https://americanlegionpost516.ticketspice.com/henry-county-inaugural-military-veterans-ball

For Georgia’s First responders

Gov. Kemp Signs Bill Providing Critical Illness and Long-Term Disability Benefits for First Responde Governor Kemp signed HB 451, the Ashley Wilson Act, at a signing ceremony on May 1 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. The new law takes effect January 1, 2025. It provides critical illness and long-term disability benefits for first responders diagnosed with PTSD arising from t...

Outstanding Flag Day celebration in Gwinnett county to include Gov Kemp’s proclamation reading by GDVS Chief operation officer Kerry Dyer

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Never forget!!!!

https://www.downbeach.com/2024/05/28/sarita-dyer-explores-the-impact-of-military-training-on-personal-development-harnessing-military-discipline-for-civilian-success/

Sarita Dyer Explores The Impact of Military Training on Personal Development: Harnessing Military Discipline for Civilian Success - DOWNBEACH Sarita Dyer of Henry County explores how the attributes and experiences from military training can be transformative, fostering success and fulfillment in civilian life.

https://unionrecorder-cnhi.newsmemory.com/?publink=2df70d056_134d2b4

Dyer, Georgia Department of Veterans Service, delivers Memorial Day address BY BILLY W. [email protected] than 5,000veterans and f

https://ocnjdaily.com/veterans-community-leaders-military-service-prepares-veterans-impactful-civic-engagement-insights-sarita-dyer/

Veterans as Community Leaders: How Military Service Prepares Veterans for Impactful Civic Engagement with Insights from Sarita Dyer | OCNJ Daily Sarita Dyer of Henry County explores how the skills and experiences acquired in the military uniquely equip veterans to become influential community leaders.

MIA Merrill’s Marauder replacement “Buck” Bagley’s remains identified in 80th year after his combat death
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It’s been a week since Nathan “Woody” Bagley, 80, from Rincon, GA, received a life-altering call from William E. Cox, Past Conflict Repatriation Branch, FT Knox, KY telling him that remains of his father, Luther E. “Buck” Bagley, had been identified.

His father, who has been MIA since he was Killed in Action July 25, 1944, was one of about 2,500 reinforcements to the expendable, top-secret 5307th Composite Unit Provisional, better known as Merrill’s Marauders, flown into Myitkyina, Burma to fight against the superior Japanese 18th Division.

“Woody” was stunned after answering Cox’s 9 AM call on Tuesday, May 14th, and learning that DNA he’d sent in years ago had enabled his father’s remains to be identified.

“Somehow I managed to talk and answer Cox’s questions, but I actually went into a ‘lockdown” state and reality didn’t hit me until after the call ended,” said “Woody.” “I walked toward my wife, Pat, to tell her, and I couldn’t talk. Pat thought something horrible had happened since it was 10 minutes before I could speak. Both of us were crying.”

“Woody” and Pat immediately drove to Pembroke, GA, to gather with other family members and tell his mother, Eleanor Stark, who turns 100 in September, that “Buck” would be coming home. Tears began flowing again.

“The only thing we know at this point is that his remains have been identified,” said “Woody,” explaining that funeral details and additional information will be officially provided by the Army.

Woody was 11 months old and his mother was 19 when a relative went to Southeastern Shipbuilding Corp., in Savannah, where she was working as a Rosie the Riveter, to tell her “Buck” had been Killed In Action in Burma July 25, 1944, at age 22.

“Buck” was 20 years old – and Eleanor 17 – when he was drafted in 1942 from his hometown of Fitzgerald, GA. He had been working in a cotton mill after quitting high school to support his parents.

Eleanor and baby “Woody” were able to visit “Buck” only once after he joined the Army and before he shipped out of Fort Meade, MD port of embarkation “to parts unknown.”

“Even though I remarried and have three wonderful daughters, ‘Buck’ was the ‘great love of my life’,” said Eleanor. “I am grateful that God let me live long enough to make this happen. I have been waiting with a broken heart for 80 years.”

“Buck” was a Private First Class, K Company, assigned to the 5307th Composite Unit Provisional, nicknamed Merrill’s Marauders, when he arrived in the China Burma India Theater in late May 1944.

After northern Burma’s strategic Myitkyina airfield had been seized May 17, 1944, with only about 200 combat capable Merrill’s Marauders remaining, “Buck was among the first 5307th CUP reinforcements flown in to help hold the airfield and capture the town of Myitkyina.

When “Buck” was Killed In Action July 25, 1944, it was only one week from when the town of Myitkyina finally fell Aug. 3, 1944. One week later, the 5307th CUP dissolved Aug. 10, 1944.

The tiny number of remaining Marauders plus the 5307th CUP replacements became the 475th Infantry. Today’s 75th Ranger Regiment, headquartered at Fort Moore, GA (previously Fort Benning) traces its lineage to Merrill’s Marauders. The 75th Ranger Regiment crest is the Marauder patch.

In 2020, a Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the Merrill’s Marauder unit, honoring all the men who had served in the 5307th CUP up until it was dissolved Aug. 10, 1944, “in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma during WW II.”

The last living Merrill’s Marauder, Russell “Huck” Hamler, who died Dec. 26, 2023, at age 99 in Pennsylvania, was interred January 19, 2024, at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies near Pittsburgh.

We are excited at the opportunity to celebrate with you at the
Veterans Event of the Year!

On Saturday, April 20, 2024, the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. (CVMF), a 501 (c)(3) organization, is holding a Military Ball & Gala at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria. The Gala is a not-to-miss event, and the excitement and fun begins at 5:00 pm!

The Keynote Speaker for the Military Ball & Gala is the well-known and highly respected General Jack Keane. General Keane has an outstanding military career of 37 years, and is a frequent commentator and national news media contributor.

Seating is limited. To purchase tickets to the Military Ball & Gala for the VIP Reception event and Dinner - click on this link:

Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. - Military Ball & Gala (zeffy.com)

To learn more about sponsorships for this event, contact Donna Kosicki at 678 472-1802 or [email protected].

Together, we are “Building To Honor” our Military and our Veterans!

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Greetings,
All are welcome to this momentous event:

EVENT: Dedication Ceremony of the GMVHOF & Unveiling Ceremony for the Class of 2023
DATE: Tuesday, 12 March 2024
TIME: 1:30 PM
LOCATION: Georgia State Capitol, North Atrium

Governor Brian Kemp to Lead Official Unveiling Ceremony on March 12, 2024 at 1:30pm in the State Capitol

Prayers and Condolences to the families of our deceased Georgia Soldiers.
Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia, died Jan. 28, 2024, in a drone attack in Jordan. Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifices. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽May their souls rest in eternal peace.

FYI…
According to the latest information, there has been a confirmed year-over-year increase of 3.2% based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) announced by the Social Security Administration. The official rate increase was announced on October 12, 2023, and it was finalized on December 1, 2023.

To assist veterans in understanding the impact of this adjustment on their VA disability benefits, the VA has updated the charts provided on our website. These charts are designed to help recipients determine eligibility and anticipate the expected monthly payout for their approved VA disability claims based on the COLA estimate.

2024 Veterans disability compensation rates | Veterans Affairs Review 2024 Veterans disability compensation rates. Use our compensation benefits rate tables to find your monthly payment amount. We base your monthly payment amount on your disability rating and details about your dependent family members.

Dedication ceremony of the Mercer University ROTC Building now appropriately named, "Kicklighter Hall".

Freedom Plaza Dedication Ceremony Mercer University celebrated its new Freedom Plaza and the renaming of Penfield Annex as Kicklighter Hall during a ceremony on Nov. 10, 2023.

A day of brotherhood and sisterhood…congratulations class 2023 Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame

A celebration for the Class 2023 inductees Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame ..thank you COL (ret) Rick White , MC/ CEO for another amazing ceremony