Photo By Sgt. William Begley | The color guard from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat...... read more read more
SYLVANIA, Ga. – The community of Screven County held its first Military Appreciation Barbecue in Sylvania, Ga., home of local Vietnam War hero and “Father of Dustoff” Maj. Charles Kelly, Oct. 18.
Sylvania Mayor, Margaret D. Evans has lived in Sylvania all of her life. She has strong feelings towards those who have served their country in the military.
“We do not feel like military, active duty nor veterans, get enough credit for what they have done,” Evans said. “So it’s very exciting for us to have the opportunity to express our appreciation for the military.”
Evans comes from a family full of veterans. She remembers feeling strongly about them even as a young child, and she credits her mother for guiding her in the right direction.
“I have two brothers who served in World War II, and I remember what it meant to me as a small child, to see them leave. It was hard on me,” Evans said. “My mother taught us about patriotism, to love God and country, and to appreciate everything the military did for us.”
The event was attended by the commander of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Maj. David R. Maldonado, along with the unit’s color guard. Maldonado commands the unit that was formerly the 498th Air Ambulance Company, which was the local hero Maj. Charles Kelly’s unit in Vietnam. He spoke of this connection to the community.
“I told my boss that I wanted to be first on the list to come here tonight, because I feel like I’m a part of this county, and this community Family,” Maldonado said.
After an evening which included singing, delicious food, and two speakers, Osal Evans, husband of Margaret, spoke on why it was so important for a community like Screven County to hold an event like this.
“We are so very deeply committed to the military, and will assist in any way we can,” Said Mr. Evans. “We thank them for putting their life on the line to save this country.”
| Date Taken: | 10.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2014 13:53 |
| Story ID: | 146174 |
| Location: | SYLVANIA, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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