Real Hero Report | February 2019 | 17
River Ridge HS Chorus singing the National Anthem.
Commissioner Harry Johnston, BG Lesperance, CCHVP Director Jim
Lindenmayer, and Macedonia Memorial Park Owners Joseph Hickey and
Bart Williams show honors to the playing of our National Anthem.
such as Argos, Taylor Construction, Apex Lighting, and the Home
Depot Foundation which donated its time, skills and materials
dignitaries were at the ceremony, including Congressman Barry
DC. Brigadier General David Lesperance, Chief of Armor from
Ft. Benning, was the guest speaker. In addition, Cherokee County
Commissioner Harry Johnston and many of his staff were in
attendance.
Cherokee County to raise awareness to the issue of homelessness
in the veteran community. Sequoyah High School Air Force
JROTC presented the colors for the ceremony; River Ridge High
School’s chorale performed the national anthem; and Woodstock’s
Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 provided a 21-gun salute
during the unveiling in honor of all the men and women veterans
who have found themselves homeless.
With more than 30,000 veteran statues and monuments in
existence in the nation that get celebrated either on Memorial
Day or Veterans Day, a new date will be added to the calendar,
December 21, for the annual ceremony for this statue. When
asked why this date is so special, Jim Lindenmayer replied that
December 21 is the longest night of the year and the longest night
that a homeless veteran will spend living and surviving on the
street, in the woods, or in a shelter.
Statue lit up at night.
Marine Corps
League
Detachment
1311
Ceremonial
stands at the
ready under the
command of
MSG ret. John
Newport.