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By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - On November 11, 2015, the Pike County American Legion Post 197 hosted the Pike County Veteran’s Day Program at the south side of the Pike County Court House Square in Zebulon, Georgia. Over 70 people came out to attend this event. Highlights of the ceremony included veterans standing during the playing of their service song in the Armed Forces Medley, Navy Captain (Retired) Robert “Bob” Perkerson from Molena speaking to attendees, hearing the History of the Pike County Veteran’s Memorial, and the laying of a wreath at the base of the Monument with Taps playing in honor of all deceased Veterans.
The American Legion Pike Post 197 is well known for its POW/MIA Recognition in every ceremony. Commander Bryan Richardson brought attention to the POW/MIA flag draped empty chair and table setting that "is placed at all official ceremonies, programs, and meetings of the Pike County American Legion Post 197 as a physical symbol of the thousands of American Prisoners of War and Missing in Action still unaccounted for from all wars and conflicts involving the United States of America." He said that this is reminder for everyone to "to spare no effort to secure the release of any American prisoners from captivity, the repatriation of the remains of those who died bravely in defense of liberty, and a full accounting of those missing." He also brought the crowd's attention to the name plate on the table in honor of Lt. Robert Eugene Oxford who is a WWII MIA from Pike County. "May he someday rest in peace in the country he defended and provide final closure to his family.” Click here to read about recovery efforts that are ongoing at this time.
Special Speaker Captain Bob Perkerson (retired)
Retired Navy Captain Bob Perkerson spoke about how important support from the homefront is to those who are serving. He praised his wife for her support while he served our country and noted that both he and his wife came from families of veterans. He spoke fondly of his service in the Navy while saying, "The Navy was good to me and good for me." He also said that this day used to be known as Armistice Day and that he remembers everything stopping in Greenville on 11.11 at 11 a.m. for remembrance and then everyone went to the FFA Chicken Q.
Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died and paid the ultimate service for our freedom, he said. Veterans Day is honor all veterans. The history of this day shows end of the war to end all wars with Germany in 1918, the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following year, the declaration of Armistice Day as a national holiday in 1938, the changing of the name to Veterans Day in 1954, and he noted that even today "as we are on the square, many are in harm's way." He asked God's protection for those who are serving and said that the USA is still the greatest country in the world. In closing, he said that teaching at Gordon State College has renewed his faith in today's generation because many are choosing to put their lives on the line with careers in the military and law enforcement. He said that they are stepping up and they know the cost of this decision.
The History of the Memorial on the Zebulon Square
Commander Richardson told the history of the Pike County Veterans Memorial. Here is the history verbatim: "On October 7, 1948, it was reported in the Pike County Journal Reporter that the Veteran Training Class, led by the instructor, Sam Lifsey started the campaign for funds to erect a memorial on the courthouse square in Zebulon for the veterans who lost their lives in World Wars I and II. The following resolution had been submitted to the people of Pike County: “Resolved that a memorial for the veterans of both World Wars I and II, who lost their lives in the service of their country, Be subscribed to and erected on the court house square in Zebulon. It will take the concentrated efforts of all religious and civic organizations, as well as each individual. This resolution is submitted this 23rd day of September, 1948 by the 3rd Veterans Agriculture Class of Pike County. Signed by W.S. Lifsey Jr., Instructor.
"In a follow-on publication of the Pike County Journal Reporter, it was reported that “The Pike County Veteran’s Monument commemorating the men who lost their lives in both World Wars I and II was dedicated at an impressive exercise on Sunday afternoon, April 24, 1949. The public was invited and approximately 300 persons including families of the departed heroes, friends and Legionnaires from Griffin and surrounding communities attended. The program began at 2:30 p.m. with a concert by the 326th Army Band. American Legion Post 197 Commander, Warren Girtman introduced Honorable John Goddard of Griffin, who in turn introduced the guest speaker, Reverend Marshall Ellis, Rector of St George’s Church, Griffin and a former Navy Chaplain. Following the address, the Army Band played Onward Christian Soldiers. Reverend S.A. Dailey pronounced the benediction, after which Taps was sounded.
"The monument bears the inscription “Dedicated to The Everlasting memory of those from Pike County who gave their lives in the service of their country in World Wars I and II. Original names on the monument include: World War I: Ballard, HK Davis, LR Davis, Hooten, McLendon, O’Neal, Self, LG Sullivan, and PM Sullivan. World War II: Adams, Adkerson, Bishop, Blankenship, Carter, Corley, Davis, Gooden, Hackney, Harrison, Johnson, Lane, Ledford, LT Marshall, AL Marshall, Matthews, McLendon, Middlebrooks, Oxford, EE Presley, WT Presley, Pike, Sandefur, Smoot, Storey, Tidwell. and Parks. Since WWII, Coggin and Alexander were added Killed-in-Action from the Korean War; and Harris, McQuaig, and Silver were added KIA from the Vietnam War. The line “Korea and Vietnam Wars” were added to the monument dedication statement.
"On 10 May 2008, a group of veterans met on the Court House Square led by Don Bailey and Howard Rawlins with the objective of refurbishing the Veteran’s Monument that was structurally cracking due to the heavy traffic moving south on Highway US19/Georgia 3. On 19 July 2008, a second meeting of a group of veterans met on the Court House Square led again by Don Bailey with the objective of continued discussion on the refurbishment of the Veteran’s Monument and the reestablishment of the old American Legion Post 197. On 11 March 2009, American Legion Post 197 Executive Committee member, Veteran Bryan Richardson appeared before the Pike County Board of Commissioners to address the plan to refurbish the Monument and to obtain the Board’s approval. In addition to the structural refurbishment of the monument, permanent lighting was to be added for night illumination of the National, State, and POW/MIA flags, lamp post for illumination of the memorial at night, and landscaping around the monument. The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the restoration.
"The restoration project was under the direction of Veterans Howard Rawlins and Gerald Spinks. The monument restoration sponsors were Clark Memorials, Country Corbin’s, Moody’s Funeral Home, Southern Rivers Energy, and the Zebulon Public Works Department. Work to refurbish the Veteran’s Memorial began early November 2010 and was completed in January 2011. As part of the restoration, the name J.D.Walker who was killed-in-action in Iraq was added to the monument. The Pike County Veteran’s Memorial was rededicated as part of the Pike County Memorial Day Observance Program on 28 May 2011. During this program, J.D. Walker was honored as the newest addition."
Closing
Commander Richardson said that with Pike Post 197 as the official keeper of the Veteran's Memorial, there is ongoing research to induct every name listed into the Pike County Memorial Annex as well as correcting any missing or misspelled names on the monument. Pike Post 197 has also pledged to add a monument statement under the World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam. The Global War on Terrorism will include the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This Memorial is a sacred place that honors those who have given the ultimate sacrifice since World War I. The three poles fly the National, State, and POW/MIA flags. "May the Pike County community continue to keep it sacred and honorable now and for our future generations," said Richardson.
Thanks to guest speaker Captain Bob Perkerson (retired), Sergeant First Class (Master Sergeant) Robert Huckaby (retired) helping lay the wreath, Chaplain Harris for providing today’s program Invocation and Benediction, The Sheriff’s Office Color Guard Lt. Laggis and Deputy Coffer for presentation of the colors, Bill and Dwayne Walker for setting up the sound system, Peggi Payton for the making of the beautiful wreath, The Pike County Board of Commissioners for the use of the Court House Square, Mount Gilead Baptist Church for the use of their folding chairs, Our American Legion family, the Legion, Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion for helping set up this event, and a special thanks to all the Veterans who have attended today’s ceremony.
Commander Richardson then asked all who attended but were not Veterans to raise their hands. "As a Veteran and on behalf of all the Veteran’s present here today, thank you for sacrificing a portion of your day to help honor America’s Veterans. It shows that our country and community still care about Veteran’s and the contributions they have made for this great nation." He said that the presence of non-Veterans at the event means a lot to the Veterans present at the event.
More articles and pictures
Click here to see last year's Veterans Day ceremony.
Click here to see the 2015 KIA ceremony.
Click here to see the 2015 Memorial Day remembrance ceremony.
Click here to see the 2015 Patriot's Day ceremony.
Click here to see the memorial ceremony for Chief Boatswains Mate Willie "Shorty" Lee King of Meansville, Georgia.
Click here to see the memorial ceremony for LCPL Jeffrey Walker.
