Photo By Maj. John Stamm | Lyn Pesek, left, and Marie Kaney from the First United Methodist Church of Warrenton...... read more read more
WARRENTON, Ga. – The afternoon sun beat down hard and heavy on the backs and necks of 120 Airmen and Sailors outside the gym turned military processing station at Warren County High School July 8. Inside, there was paperwork to complete and introduction briefings and lodging assignments to be given. Some had been traveling for 20 or more hours from as far away as California and Hawaii, and most just wanted to hit the showers and wash off the day’s journey. Degrees of tiredness varied; all were hungry.
Nearby, a steady stream of brisket-flavored exhaust flowed from the nostrils of a black iron smoker, devouring the dense Georgia air. Turn-in for the night was still a long way off, but servicemembers wouldn’t have to wait long to satisfy their longing for sustenance.
The East Central Georgia Innovative Readiness Training mission team had just arrived in Warrenton, but the Little River Cattlemen’s Association had been on the scene for hours ensuring that the team received a proper southern welcome. They served up a hearty dinner of 12 smoked briskets, 12 baked potato casseroles, 10 gallons of southern-style green beans and countless rolls and desert items along with a generous supply of sweet tea.
“I’ve never been out of the South very much, but it’s kind of a southern thing anyway … especially with the military,” said Joe “Bubba” Newton, president of the LRCA. “I don’t know how the rest of the world does it, but that’s how we do it down here.”
Newton learned of the incoming mission to provide no-cost medical, dental and optometry services to area residents from Mrs. Tammy Cheely, an extension agent for Warren County Georgia. Cheely, a 25-year member of the LRCA, had met with John Graham, chairman of the Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission, one of the IRT mission sponsors, to discuss what they could do to help. They decided it would be a good idea to provide dinner for the team when it arrived.
In her Georgia accent overflowing with southern charm, Cheely enthusiastically explained, “And I just told him I’d ask our cattlemen’s group, and they were happy to do it. Down here we have a lot of people who don’t have any form of insurance or anything, so what y’all are doing for them is awesome. The least we could do is our part of that.”
“Y’all are giving up your time, sleeping on cots … that’s a commitment,” Newton said. “We’re certainly thankful for what y’all are doing so we wanted to give back.”
The LRCA isn’t the only organization to show their appreciation for all the IRT is doing for their communities. In Crawfordville, Andre McLendon, manager of the Alexander H. Stephens State Park, arranged for the IRT mission team serving at Taliaferro County School to have a private tour of Liberty Hall, historic home of the former governor of Georgia and vice president of the Confederacy for whom the park is named. Taliaferro Country Board of Commissioners, residents and Taliaferro Family Connection are also providing a picnic dinner for the team on park grounds.
Other organizations such as the First Baptist Church of Warrenton and the Little Creek Baptist Church Women’s Missionary Union have also provided meals, and communities are sponsoring other events to show their appreciation. The city of Washington hosted a “Skating on the Square,” an interaction with community children, and a tour of the Washington Historical Museum. Other events sponsored in honor of the IRT teams in Crawfordville, Millen, Thomson, Warrenton and Washington include more dinners, concerts, trivia contests and movie nights.
“The reception has been overwhelming,” said Hospital Corpsman Chief Petty Officer Lindsey Tompkins, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Crawfordville clinic. “Community members have helped us get settled in, provided us with supplies and are constantly feeding us. It’s more than I expected or could have even imagined. It’s been wonderful.”
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2018 09:28 |
| Story ID: | 284266 |
| Location: | WARRENTON, GA, US |
| Hometown: | CRAWFORDVILLE, GA, US |
| Hometown: | MILLEN, GA, US |
| Hometown: | THOMSON, GA, US |
| Hometown: | WARRENTON, GA, US |
| Hometown: | WASHINGTON, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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