Sandy Creek Student Gets Trip to Washington with Winning Essay

This summer was not the typical break from school for Anthony Taijeron-John, a rising senior at Sandy Creek High.

Anthony spent part of his summer vacation touring the nation’s capital with nearly 100 students from across Georgia as one of the essay winners selected to attend the 45th Washington Youth Tour, a prestigious, all-expense paid leadership experience sponsored by Georgia’s electric membership corporations.

Selected by Coweta-Fayette EMC, Anthony spent nine days in Washington, DC in June touring memorials, monuments, Mount Vernon, Ford’s Theater and the U.S. Supreme Court, and visiting with Georgia’s U.S. senators and representatives.

The program is designed to give students a taste of democracy in action, expose them to the nation’s rich history and encourage them to become politically aware citizens.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter:  @GAFrontPage

Honor Flight Fayette's 6th Trip to DC was May 4th- Final Trip to be in the Fall

Another group of 70 excited World War II veterans made the one day round trip to the nation’s capitol on May 4th to see their memorial, as well as making other stops including Arlington Cemetery to see the changing of the guard.

As has happened in the past, many people along the way took the time to say “thank you” and give hugs to these veterans; however, there were more tears of gratitude seen than ever before on these trips. Perhaps these heroes of the “greatest generation” reminded the on-lookers of their fathers, grandfathers, mothers or grandmothers who served in World War II. Some of them came home and lived productive lives, some were terribly wounded, but some never came home at all.

In addition to the horrors of war, some veterans received “Dear John” letters while they were away, but lucky veterans returned to waiting sweethearts. Some found their loves after they returned, and others fell in love “over there” and brought their wives-to-be, to a land foreign to them, to begin a new life together.

The loyalty and tenacity these veterans had for their country extended to their marriages, families, faith and jobs. The old sayings “don’t start something you can’t finish”, and “if you are going to do it, do it right the first time” so perfectly sums up the attitude of these amazing men and women.

After taking 420 veterans for this trip to D.C., Honor Flight Fayette will make its last trip in the coming fall, making a total of 490 veterans that this organization has had the privilege of meeting. The stories heard, the tears witnessed and appreciation expressed by the veterans is equaled to or exceeded by the emotions felt by those fortunate enough to accompany them to Washington.

If you are a World War II veteran, or would like to be a volunteer or guardian, please contact honorflightfayette.org or call 770-719-1024 for further information.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter:  @GAFrontPage

Honor Flight Fayette Prepares for 6th Trip to Washington DC

Board members, volunteers and guardians are just as excited to be planning this trip to our nation’s capitol, to take World War II veterans to see their memorial, as they were for the first flight 2 years and 420 veterans ago. In fact, this non-profit organization has not waned in their determination to see that as many veterans as possible take this trip.

The project has a sense of urgency since all of the World War II veterans are over 80 years of age and many are in declining health. In fact, we are losing them at the rate of 1,000 per day in this country.

The next trip is planned for May 4th, and everyone is invited and encouraged to give this group a warm send off. They will leave First United Methodist Church in buses around 6:30 a.m. and travel west on Highway 54 to Highway 85 north, taking 314 toward the airport.

The Patriot Guard will lead the buses as combined members of all local law enforcement agencies smooth the way for the buses to the airport. The veterans are always very surprised at those waving flags on the sidewalks, traffic stopping at intersections and police officers saluting them as they pass by in the buses. They usually say they don’t understand what all the fuss is about, but they really do appreciate and enjoy it.

Every measure is taken to insure the veterans’ safety on this excursion. A doctor, 2 nurses and 4 medical personnel are on each flight, and the guardians must attend a training session before they are allowed to accompany a veteran.

If you would like to volunteer, make a donation or obtain further information about this organization, please check honorflightfayette.org or call 770-719-1024.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter:  @GAFrontPage

Honor Flight Fayette Prepares for 6th Trip to DC

On May 4th, Honor Flight Fayette will take another group of World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their memorial, bringing the total to about 420 men and women who have been honored by this non-profit organization since May of 2008.

A very dedicated group of volunteers has worked tirelessly for 2 ½ years to insure that members of our “greatest generation” have a day trip that they will not forget, because we are losing these men and women at the rate of over 1,000 per day. Also, a doctor, 2 nurses and 4 members of the Fayette county emergency medical staff accompanies each flight.

The day begins with breakfast, often provided by Chick-fil-A or Waffle House, at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. There the veterans mingle for the first time that day with others of their era to reflect and remember. Then they board buses from FFUMC and First Baptist of Fayetteville, and leave to cheers and waving of flags by appreciative members of the community.

In addition to being escorted by the Fayette County Sheriff’s office, Fayetteville police department and Peachtree City police officers, the buses are led by members of the Patriot Guard motorcycle group. Many of these men and women have flags mounted on the rear of their motorcycles, and they form an “honor guard” for the veterans to pass through from the buses into the Atlanta airport. The veterans have always stated their appreciation for all of these groups, and are amazed that cars stop and police officers salute as they pass through intersections.

Air Tran makes this flight memorable for everyone involved in so many ways. They have extra security lines open just for this group, as many of them move slowly or are in wheelchairs, which are always provided at no charge by Absolute Medical. When the plane lands at Reagan Airport, and when they return to Atlanta, they are greeted by crowds cheering and waving flags who have been alerted by Air Tran of their arrival. There are many tears and smiles by the veterans who often ask in surprise “are these people all here for us?” When they returned from World War II there was no fanfare, just concern about finding jobs and returning to civilian life, and they are very moved by this display of patriotism and gratitude.

In Washington, D.C. they board comfortable motor coaches and are taken to their Memorial where they spend time observing and recalling memories of their service during war time. Some of them have never shared with their families their experiences of being shot down, as prisoners of war, or hiding from the enemy with the help of those on our side in foreign lands. They were at Pearl Harbor, Omaha Beach, Normandy or served stateside, and many of them have been decorated, but all are heroes.

A group of active and guard military personnel meets every flight at Reagan Airport and assists Honor Flight Fayette, and their guardian volunteers, with the veterans throughout the day. Their support, led by SSG Joshua Romans of Fayetteville, is invaluable and much appreciated by HFF and the veterans.

If time permits, a stop is made at other memorials. However, a stop is always made at Arlington Cemetery where they watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown. This solemn ceremony never fails to evoke appreciation from those who have, or those who have not, served in our military.

Dinner is back at Reagan Airport in a space provided by the local USO. By now, tired but at the same time energized by their experiences, the veterans share with each other about the day they have just enjoyed, and are enlightened by the stories of those who served in different areas of combat than they had experienced.

Back in Atlanta, the veterans are once again greeted, even late in the day, by Air Tran personnel and everyone else in the area who has heard the announcement that they are arriving. Once again they hear “thank you for your service” and receive hugs or handshakes of appreciation. They board the church buses for Fayetteville and a day, many say, was the “best day of my life”, although some add “after my marriage” or “the birth of my children”. Any way you look at it, Honor Flight Fayette and the citizens of Fayette county have given a special gift to those who made our many freedoms of life today possible.

A few weeks after each flight Fayette Senior Services volunteers their facility so that Honor Flight Fayette can host a reception and reunion of the veterans, their family members, their guardians, volunteers and the HFF board members. More surprises await them at this reception, and it is a memorable time for all involved.

If you would like to contribute to Honor Flight Fayette, are a veteran, or wish to be a volunteer or guardian, please call 770-719-1024. However, no donations will be accepted from World War II veterans as the sole purpose of Honor Flight Fayette is to thank them for their patriotism and sacrifices.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter:  @GAFrontPage

Bethune One of Four Military Ladies Aboard 2nd Honor Flight Fayette Recent Trip to Washington

Pictured (l-r) are Hope Davis, Naval Reserve Nurse Corp; Helen Denton, Women's Air Corp; Jeannette Bethune, Army Nurse Corp; Miriam Lloyd, Women's Air Corp.

Imagine what a mother would feel when her 3 youngest children entered the military during World War II, especially when one of those was a daughter who finished nursing school as an RN in December of 1941 and entered the Army Nurse Corps 2 months later in February of 1942.

Jeannette Porter was the young daughter who hoped she would receive an overseas assignment, but instead she served her country in New Hampshire caring for those who had been to foreign lands and returned with injuries. However, Jeannette said she is very thankful and feels blessed to have been able to serve in a nursing capacity because she wanted to help the war effort.

Jeannette's two brothers in the military were definitely in harms way as one landed at Utah Beach and the other at Omaha Beach. She made it a habit to check each medical flight that arrived to make sure one of her brothers was not among the injured.

During that time Jeannette met Ray Bethune who was flying B-25's and looking for submarines off the U.S. shores. They dated but, at that time, women in the military could not be married. Ray was sent overseas to fly B-17's and B-24's and was consequently shot at 3 times over Germany. Twice he managed to make it to France and once he landed in England near the White Cliffs of Dover.

Jeannette left the military in November of 1944 and she and Ray married in May of 1945. They had a daughter and a son, and when Ray passed away 10 years ago they had been happily married for 55 years.

Unfortunately, Jeannette was one of those left homeless by Katrina, but she rebuilt and repaired her home of 35 years. Her daughter, however, convinced her to move to Atlanta to live with her so Jeannette made another home here and is also closer to her son and his family in Florida.

She has 3 grandchildren of whom she is very proud. She quickly tells you one is a nurse, one is in Africa working with missionaries and one just finished high school.

When talking to Jeannette, it is very easy to see how she would have been such a comfort to those she nursed during war time as she has a very friendly and caring demeanor and it is obvious that she loves people. Conversation comes easily to her, but she also listens carefully as you speak.

When asked what she enjoyed the most about her day with Honor Flight Fayette on October 8th to see the World War II memorial, Jeannette stated that absolutely everything was wonderful and that it was a very special day that she never dared hope to have at her age. She also said the memorial brought back memories that were happy and sad, but that she felt so blessed to be there and wishes she could make that same trip again.

Honor Flight Fayette will take off again on November 12th for the 3rd flight this year to the nation's capitol. In all, over 200 World War II veterans will have made this trip during 2008.

Led by President Gail Sparrow, a retired Fayette county teacher, Honor Flight Fayette is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to take as many of our World War II veterans to see their memorial as possible. Time is of the essence as, unfortunately, we are losing 1,400 veterans of that war per day in this country.

If you would like more information or would like to volunteer or contribute to this most worthwhile cause, please contact honorflightfayette.com or call 770-719-1024.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Honor Flight Fayette Day Proclaimed October 8

FL Note: Kudos to Gail Sparrow for making this dream a reality for so many of our patriots of World War II.

At their September 25th meeting, the Fayette County Commissioners honored the upcoming and 2nd flight organized by Honor Flight Fayette to send World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., at no charge to them, to visit their memorial and share memories with their comrades in arms from that war.

Plans have been in the works for this trip literally since the return of the inaugural flight of HFF last May. Board members, guardians, medical personnel and volunteers have worked consistently to raise the necessary funds needed to make this trip a memorable one for the veterans, who will be provided with plane tickets, meals, snacks, and motor coach transportation. Also, a guardian will be assigned 2-3 veterans for the day, and their job is to make sure that each and every need of the vets is being met.

The public is encouraged to participate in this exciting day by either seeing the veterans off at 7:00 a.m., or welcoming them back about 10:00 that evening at the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. The veterans from the May trip were very touched by those who came out to honor them, in their own community, by cheering and waving flags and banners.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization led by a dedicated board of directors, Honor Flight Fayette is committed to this labor of love and determination to take as many veterans as possible as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we are losing these brave men and women at a rate of over 1,400 per day, so time is definitely of the essence. And we must ask ourselves, "at what cost did they secure my freedoms and how can I repay them?"

If you would like to know more about this organization or make a donation toward the next flight, please visit honorflightfayette.org or call 770-719-1024.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Peachtree City student interns in Washington office

Peachtree City resident Brian Jack this month began a four-month internship in the Washington office of U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland.

“I like to give college students a front-row seat on American democracy through these internships and it’s always best to have someone from the district such as Brian who understands Georgia and feels a personal connection to my constituents,” Westmoreland said. “Brian’s going to be with us for a good stretch and he’s already shown an unusually high interest in federal policy-making and the legislative process. He has a strong grasp of how things work here and he’ll use those skills to help our office serve the people of Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.”

Jack, 19, is a sophomore at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., where he is majoring in political science. The Woodward Academy graduate recently returned from a semester abroad studying the Mandarin language and Chinese politics in Hong Kong. He is the son of Mitch and Sophia Williams of Peachtree City.