First Cowetan to Die in Vietnam Remembered on Memorial Day

Donald Steven Lowery, the first Cowetan to be killed in Vietnam, will be remembered at Memorial Day ceremonies in Newnan.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667 sponsors the annual Memorial Day program. The event will start at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Plaza in the city park at Jackson Street and Temple Avenue. If it rains, the program will take place in the chapel at McKoon Funeral Home, which is adjacent to the park.

VFW members distributed Buddy Poppies on Saturday -- with donations going to help needy veterans and their families. Also on Saturday, volunteers worked with VFW members to place American flags on the graves of veterans across the county.

Monday's program in Newnan follows a longstanding tradition by the local VFW of "honoring all by remembering one."

"This is a way of personalizing, of giving a face and spirit to the names on our honor rolls," said Commander John O'Connor of Post 2667.

"If our citizens can gain a sense of the loss and sorrow that results from just one death, they may better appreciate and hallow the loss of nearly half a million in World War II or some 58,000 in Vietnam. We regard Memorial Day, not as a celebration, but a time to reflect, remember, mourn and honor the sacrifices of so many who have paid for our freedom," O'Connor said.

Lowery lived his entire life in the Madras community in northern Coweta County before entering military service. His mother, Pat, still resides in the family home on Happy Valley Circle and his two sisters and three brothers live in the Atlanta area.

Donald Lowery attended the old Madras School and Newnan High School. The gymnasium at the original Madras School was named in his honor. Recently, a plaque was placed in the Madras Middle School gym honoring Lowery's service and sacrifice. Happy Valley circle was also recently declared a memorial byway in honor of Lowery and Tim Cole, another Madras resident who was a Vietnam casualty.

Lowery trained as an Infantryman at Ft. Benning after completing basic training. He was assigned to Vietnam in early December 1966 and served in the 25th Infantry Division. Just two months later, on February 2, 1967, while serving as the platoon radioman, he was severely wounded by enemy fire.

Donald Lowery died in a military hospital in Vietnam on Feb. 15. His body was returned and is interred at Oak Hill Cemetery.

The Memorial Day ceremonies will include memories of Lowery shared by family and friends. Anyone attending the ceremony who wishes to share a memory will be welcomed.

Seating at the Veterans Plaza is limited, and people planning to attend are advised to bring a folding chair. Because parking spaces are at a premium, McKoon Funeral Home management has made their parking lots available.

The Coweta Veterans Club will once again provide a community luncheon following the ceremonies and offers an open invitation. Food will be served until 2 p.m.

Veteran’s Club Invites Public to Participate in Memorial Day Flag Placement

The Coweta Veterans’ Club, comprised of The American Legion Post 57 and The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, on Saturday, May 29^th, will place flags on veterans’ graves in major local cemeteries.

Dick Dennis, Chairman of the Board of the club, is once again asking for community assistance in this project. "The community support for the past three years has made it easy. The participation of young and old makes this a memorable experience and is a great family tradition. Decorating these veterans’ graves is a wonderful way to teach our young folks that freedom isn't free." According to Dennis, the number of flags to be placed this year will be nearly 2,200. He added, "As I said in previous years, we have an aging membership with many veterans of WWII and Korea, who are physically unable to walk long distances and cannot tolerate the bending and stooping.

Civic and fraternal organizations, church groups and individuals are invited to participate. The club will organize and assign volunteers at the club, on Highway 29 N., at 8:45 AM, on Saturday, the 29^th. There will be coffee, juice and donuts for all. Dennis assured "that members of the club will serve as guides for each of the cemeteries." Currently, the plans call for covering, Oak Hill, Forest Lawn, Eastview-old and new, Boone Drive and Sunset. Participants are asked to bring a screwdriver or tool to make holes in the ground for the flags. The club will provide a limited number of flags to churches and families for private cemeteries. He asked that those groups to please contact the club at 770-251-6949, so that the flags can be bundled for pickup.

Immediately following the grave decoration, members of the VFW will be at several local venues, seeking donations for the annual “Buddy Poppy” drive to assist veterans in need. The poppy, a symbol taken from WWI, when it bloomed amid the carnage of battle, has become emblematic of veterans' relief programs around the world.

Memorial Day ceremonies, sponsored by VFW Post 2667, will be held on Monday, May 31, in Veterans’ Memorial Plaza, on Jackson Street.

New Scholarship for the Children of Some Deceased Veterans

The children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 10, 2001 can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009,

VA begins accepting applications for the Fry scholarship on May 1, 2010. For more information or assistance applying, call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), or visit the VA GI Bill Website at www.gibill.va.gov.

VA estimates nearly 1,500 children will receive benefits under the Fry scholarship program in 2010. Recipients have 15 years to use their benefits, beginning on their 18th birthdays, through their 33rd birthdays.

Eligible children attending institutions of higher learning may receive payments to cover their tuition and fees up to the highest amounts charged by a public, in-state undergraduate institution.  A monthly living allowance and stipend for books and supplies are also paid under this program.

VA will begin paying benefits under the Fry scholarships on Aug. 1, 2010. Eligible participants may receive benefits retroactively to August 1, 2009, the same day the Post-9/11 GI Bill took effect.

Eligible children may be married.  Recipients are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100 percent level.

The scholarship is named after Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry, 28, a native who died in Iraq in 2006 while disarming an explosive. He is survived by three young children.

Honoring Lt. Robert Collins - Today at 11

Patriotic Cowetans will be gathering at the entrance to Forest Lawn Memorial Park this morning to show honor to fallen soldier Robert W. Collins.

Local veterans, led by Dick Stender, have organized the 11 a.m. gathering of people with flags at the Roscoe Road cemetery. The funeral for Collins, who was killed in Iraq on April 7, will be held at 10 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church -- North Campus on New Hope Road in Fayetteville.

After the funeral, the procession will move south on Georgia Highway 85 through Fayetteville, then west on Georgia Highway 54 through Peachtree City. In Coweta County, the cortege will move along Highway 34 to the bypass and then to Roscoe Road and Forest Lawn.

Collins, who is from Tyrone, was killed in Mosul when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The first lieutenant was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team from Ft. Stewart, near Savannah.

Collins graduated from Sandy Creek High School in Fayette County in 2004 and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 2008.

His family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First Lt. Robert Wilson Collins Patriot Spirit Scholarship, c/o Bank of Georgia, 100 Westpark Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269.

Newnan Soldiers Begining to Come Home

The first major wave of soldiers from Newnan-based Bravo Company was scheduled to arrive at Fort Stewart near Savannah sometime Wednesday night.

The Georgia Army National Guard unit is returning from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan.

A few soldiers have already arrived in Georgia, and there will be at least two more "waves," said Robert Stokely, co-chairman of the Family Readiness Group for Bravo 2/121.

If all goes well, all members of Bravo Company should be stateside by the end of March.

Full Story at www.times-herald.com

World War II 'Captain' Honored for Building Coweta's Roads

After Wendell Whitlock returned home following World War II, he used the skills he'd learned in the Navy to build a better Coweta.

"Captain" Whitlock, who was involved in Coweta's road department in various capacities from 1948 to 1988, was honored by Coweta's Boy Scouts at the second annual Golden Eagle Dinner.

Full article at: Newnan Times-Herald

Two Original Tuskegee Airmen in Newnan Tonight

The Tuskegee Airmen will be the focus of Newnan-Coweta Historical Society program 7 p.m. tonight at the Depot History Center, 60 East Broad Street in downtown Newnan.

The program will feature original airmen Hiram Little and Leroy Eley.

Admission is free, and there will be coffee and dessert.

These two men will relate their experiences as this country's first black airmen during World War II.

The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected escort fighter groups of World War II.

During World War II the Tuskegee Airmen had one of the lowest loss records of U.S. bombers by enemy fighters. Their achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. Military.

No Bingo Tonight

 There will be no bingo tonight at the Veterans Club. Bingo will resume at its normal time on Sunday. See you there!

Likewise, the Club will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday (3/3 - 3/4) due to construction on the driveway. Everything will be back to normal on Friday.

American Legion Family Yard Sale/Craft Show

The American Legion family is hosting a yard sale and craft show at the Veterans Club on October 9th and 10th starting at 8:00 AM both days. The sale will go thru 3:00 PM on Friday and stay open until 4:00 PM on Saturday.

Table space is available for rent for $20 on a first come, first choice basis. The $20 will get you a table for one or both days.

The Legion is also accepting donations. If you have sellable items but you can't make these dates, consider donating them to support our local veterans.

For more information, call 770-365-0644.

POW/MIA Day 2009

Post 57 held the annual POW/MIA remembrance at 11 a.m. today at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Newnan.
A table with six seats was set up for the program, each seat represented significance to the day honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action in service to their country.

This year's national poster, with the words "All gave some ... some gave all!" honors their service.

Newnan Times-Herald Article

Blood Drive - August 24th

The Coweta Veterans Club, American Legion Post 57, and VFW Post 2667 are hosting a blood drive on Monday, August 24th, from Noon till 5:30. The drive will be held at the Veterans Club on Highway 29. If at all possible, please sign-up beforehand by calling 770-251-6949.

Even if you don't sign-up early, show up at the Veterans Club on Monday the 24th to give this precious gift. All blood types are needed.

Champion of Veterans to Speak During VFW Memorial Day Program

Newnan's new Veterans Memorial Plaza will be dedicated May 25 during the annual Memorial Day program.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667 will conduct the community Memorial Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. Guest speaker will be John Gwizdak, VFW past national commander. Gwizdak, a retired Army officer, is a Vietnam veteran.

He has been the featured speaker at similar events held all across the nation and has for 25 years been a champion for veterans programs here in Georgia. A short musical program will be presented by Northside Elementary School Chorus, under the direction of Miss Joan Nelms.

VFW Commander Jeff Carroll said this year's program will pay homage to every name on the community Honor Rolls that will be the plaza centerpiece. "This is a change from our normal ceremonies, which for each of the last 12 years has honored one of Coweta's war dead," said Carroll.

"This year, while we remember those men, we celebrate this wonderful community achievement that tells the world that Cowetans cherish the memory of their sacrifices," Carroll said.

The park will feature plaques that list Coweta's war dead in each conflict from World War I forward. "We offer a special invitation to the family and friends of each man whose name is displayed on the bronze plaques," Carroll said.

The plaza was built with donations from individuals, businesses, the Newnan City Council and the Coweta County Board of Commissioners. More than 2,000 memorial engraved bricks were sold and will form the floor of the monument's two levels.

Mike Furbush, landscape architect for the City of Newnan, said the bricks were on the site late last week. "They're going to start laying those on Monday or Tuesday," Furbush said.

As future generations buy bricks, they will be placed once a year until the 10,000 capacity is reached. Still in production are life-sized statues of Coweta's two Medal of Honor recipients, Col. Joe Jackson and Major Stephen Pless. It is anticipated that the statues will be placed in time for a Veterans Day dedication.

Those planning to attend the May 25 ceremony should consider bringing lawn chairs. There will be some parking at McKoon Funeral Home, which is next to the park. In the event of rain, the program will be held at Wadsworth Auditorium on Jefferson Street.

Immediately following the ceremonies, the Coweta Veterans Club is inviting the public to a Memorial Day Dinner at the club on U.S. Highway 29 North. Food will be served until 2:30.

VA to Offer Medalions for Veterans Grave Markers

The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the preliminary stages of designing a medallion (IAW Public Law 110-57, December 2007) to be affixed to an existing privately-purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a veteran. VA estimates the new medallion will be available in the summer of 2009. If requested, this new product can be furnished in lieu of the traditional headstone or marker. This benefit is only applicable if the grave is marked with a privately-purchased headstone or marker. In these instances, eligible veterans are entitled to either a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker, or the new medallion, but not both.

SOURCE: www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmtype.asp

Apr 17 - Southern Pride Band @ Club!!!

Come see the Southern Pride band at the Coweta Veterans Club Friday night, April 17th. Just $5 cover to hear great music! Band starts @ 8:00 pm.

National Guard Sendoff - April 13

On April 13, Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Bravo Company Second Battalion will leave Newnan on the first leg of their deployment to Afghanistan.

The community is encouraged to show support by lining the streets of Newnan to see them off.

The company will travel to Camp Shelby, Miss., on April 13. The brigade will remain in Mississippi until the end of May/beginning of June, at which time they will deploy to Afghanistan.

Approximately 130 soldiers are attached to the local brigade, which is based in Newnan at the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory next to Newnan High School. Their mission abroad during the year-long tour will be to train and mentor the Afghan National Army.

Roughly half of the 130 soldiers went with the brigade to Iraq in 2005.

According to Newnan Police Chief Douglas L. "Buster" Meadows, the unit is scheduled to depart the armory at 10 a.m. -- though that time is subject to change -- and the route will take them to the Court Square and up Bullsboro Drive to I-85 Exit 47. Organizers are hoping to raise the large Newnan Fire Department flag in downtown for the unit to travel under on their way out of town.

The soldiers will be escorted southbound on Interstate 85 all the way to the Meriwether County line where a new escort will pick up the transport.

"Come out and show your support," said Meadows. "Let them know that you're thinking about them."

Meadows invites the community to unite in a show of patriotism. Supporters are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and wave American Flags. Meadows hopes to have people lined all the way out Bullsboro Drive.

Downtown Newnan merchants have been invited to show support by displaying yellow ribbons in their storefronts.

"The community showing support reminds the soldiers that the sacrifices they make for the country have not gone unnoticed and the community supports their efforts," said First Lt. Jason Rich, who is among those deploying. "When a town comes out and rallies around a deploying unit, it is an awe-inspiring sight for a young soldier who is being thrust into the unknown. It is a bit of comfort in an uncertain time."

Local volunteers are building a Web site for the deploying unit so the public can track changes, receive updates, show support and purchase merchandise.

T-shirts, magnets and other unit paraphernalia will be available from the Web site, and the net proceeds will go to support the troops and their families. Web site organizers hope to build the site up as time passes to allow area residents and churches to adopt soldiers online as a way to provide ongoing support.

The Web site is www.bravo2-121.com . Check online for the latest updates to the Newnan send-off.

Making Christmas Brighter

The Coweta Veteran's Club annual golf tournament, held this fall, was successful in raising $4,000 in support of Community Welcome House.

The club, consisting of the members of the American Legion Post 57 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2667, has sponsored the event for four years.

Proceeds are part of the club's community outreach charity donations. "We live here and want to be a serving spirit to our city and county." said Chairman Dick Dennis. "While our principal effort is to help veterans and families of veterans, we feel that Welcome House touches the lives of everyone. We sincerely appreciate the support of the players and our business partners who make our tournament successful."

Welcome House Director Linda Kirkpatrick received the donation. "The Veterans' Club serves as a great example of caring organizations, who unselfishly give of themselves to help the spouses and children who are victims of abuse and neglect," said Kirkpatrick.

"We sincerely hope that this donation will make Christmas a little brighter for all the residents of Welcome House," said Dennis.

Compensation Panel Wants Retirees to Pay More

These proposed changes could have a significant impact to retirees...

WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- The Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation has recommended fee changes to Tricare, the military's health system.

The recommendations would mostly affect retirees and will not affect active-duty servicemembers or their dependents, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. "Denny" Eakle, the director of the study, said in a Pentagon briefing Aug. 5.

"Retiree fees ought to relate to how much the plan is worth," she said. "The... higher-value plans should have higher premiums associated with them."

The panel believes fees need to be fair to all retired military members, General Eakle said. "They ought to reflect how much income an individual has, so that if they make more money and are therefore better able to pay for a system, they should do so," she said.

The full article is available at www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle/aspx?id=50705

Jack Lucas, Youngest Marine to Receive Medal of Honor

Jack Lucas, who forged his mother's signature on an enlistment document so he could join the military at 14 during World War II and who became the youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, has died. He was 80.

Lucas, who was diagnosed with leukemia in April, died Thursday at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Miss., after asking to be removed from a dialysis machine, said Mary Draughn, a close friend.

Three years after joining the Marines, Lucas was stationed at a supply depot in Hawaii when he stowed away on a ship headed to Iwo Jima because he was afraid he would never see combat, he later recalled.

On Feb. 20, 1945 -- six days after he turned 17 -- Lucas was fighting Japanese soldiers in a trench during the Battle of Iwo Jima when he dived on top of two grenades and pushed them deep into the beach's volcanic ash to shield three other Marines from harm.

More on the article at www.LATimes.com

Pre-War Football Legend To Be Honored On Memorial Day

Newnan's Post 2667 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will once again conduct the community ceremony for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, at 11:00 AM, at Veterans Memorial Plaza, on Jackson Street. For nearly 50 years, the post has sponsored Memorial Day activities for Newnan-Coweta citizens. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be held in the McKoon Funeral Chapel.

This year, in keeping with the theme, "Honor All By Remembering One," the ceremonies will seek to remember the life of Robert Earl Beers, the youngest son of one of Newnan’s old families. Known during the late thirties as the "Newnan Flash," Bobby Beers was an outstanding high school athlete and a football standout at Georgia Tech. While short of stature, at just five feet 8 inches and weighing no more than 155 pounds, "Little Bobby Beers" captured local headlines with his prowess on the gridiron and received national recognition for his exploits in games against perennially top-rated college teams.

Beers enlisted in the Army in 1940 and received a commission as a pilot in the Air Corps. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, in February 1942, he was assigned as part of the first contingent of the legendary 8th Air Force, in England. Sadly, Beers never got to see much action, dying in a plane crash near his Midlands base in August of 1942.

Bobby was one of four of the Beers brothers who served during WWII, all of whom had distinguished military records. Elizabeth Beers, a local historian and community supporter, is the widow of Frank Beers, Bob’s older brother. Much of the memoribilia that will be displayed at the ceremony, comes from her collection of family memories.

The program seeks to give the audience a picture of the life of Bobby Beers, as given by family, friends and available records. Anyone attending the ceremony, who has a recollection of Beers and his life is invited to share their memories. It is hoped that by knowing this one sacrificed life, we may better appreciate the sacrifices made by so many, in the protection of our lives and liberties.

Following the Monday ceremony, the Coweta Veterans' Club invites the public to join them for a luncheon at the club. Food will be served until 2:30 PM. Commander Jeff Carroll will host the luncheon and promises that there will be a bounty of food, so there will be no need for guests to arrive early.

Loyalty Day

Loyalty Day originally began as "Americanization Day" in 1921 as a counter to the Communists' May 1 celebration of the Russian Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New York's Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in 1949, May 1 evolved into Loyalty Day. Observances began in 1950 on April 28 and climaxed May 1 when more than five million people across the nation held rallies. In New York City, more than 100,000 people rallied for America. In 1958 Congress enacted Public Law 529 proclaiming Loyalty Day a permanent fixture on the nation's calendar.

VFW Low Country Boil/Membership Drive

Come join us Saturday, May 3rd at Noon!
as
VFW Post 2667
presents a
Membership Drive &
Low Country/Crawfish Boil
simmered to delectable goodness

$10 - All You Can Eat
(or till we run out)

New VFW Members Eat Free!
(You must sign-up and pay that day)