Governor Perdue Honors Georgia's Fallen Service Members in Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

 

ATLANTA — Today Governor Sonny Perdue hosted a Memorial Day service on behalf of the State of Georgia honoring the members of the armed forces who have given their lives in service to the nation. 

“Today, we come together as friends and as grateful Americans to commemorate the courageous men and women who have given their lives in defense of freedom.   As Georgians, we remember especially 26 young men and women … 26 brave souls … who made that sacrifice in this last year,” said Governor Perdue. “They are heroes; and today, we are reminded that our freedom is won at great cost.  We share a spirit of thankfulness for their bravery and for their love of country.” 

      Lieutenant Colonel Randall V. Simmons, Jr., Commander of the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry, 48^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia National Guard delivered the keynote address at the service. 

A solemn tribute was offered for the 26 Georgia service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice and fallen on the field of battle in Iraq and Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom over the past year. Below is a list of Georgia’s fallen service members:

Specialist Brushaun Anderson, Columbus

 

Specialist Lakeshia Bailey, Columbus

 

Sergeant First Class John Beale, Riverdale

 

First Sergeant John Blair, Calhoun

 

Sergeant Brock Chavers, Statesboro

 

First Lieutenant Robert Collins, Tyrone

 

Private First Class Jason Estopinal, Dallas

 

Captain Matthew Freeman, Richmond

 

Staff Sergeant Alex French, IV, Milledgeville

 

First Lieutenant Joseph Helton, Monroe

 

Specialist Matthew Huston, Athens

 

Major Kevin M. Jenrette, Lula

 

Gunnery Sergeant Edwin Johnson, Columbus

 

Specialist Isaac Lee Johnson, Jr., Columbus

 

Specialist Jeffrey Jordan, Rome

 

Staff Saergeant Aaron Kenefick, Roswell

 

Private Thomas Lee, III, Dalton

 

Private First Class Anthony Lightfoot, Riverdale

 

Sergeant Vernon Martin, Savannah

 

Sergeant First Class Shawn McCloskey, Peachtree City

 

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Montgomery, Savannah

 

Sergeant Raymundo Morales, Dalton

 

Staff Sergeant James Patton, Fort Benning

 

Private First Class Jaiciae Pauley, Austell

 

Lance Corporal Charles Sharp, Adairsville

 

Staff Sergeant Briand Williams, Sparks

 

 

In recognition of the sacrifice made by fallen service members throughout Georgia’s history and their families, Governor Perdue ordered that flags on all state buildings and grounds be lowered on Saturday, May 29, 2010, and remain at half-staff until Noon on Monday, May 31, 2010.   The text of Governor Perdue’s executive order is below:   

 

 

Flags on State Buildings and Grounds

Ordered Lowered to Half Staff

 

 

Whereas:    On Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010, the people of our great country will             come together again to commemorate the lives and service of our fallen           servicemen and women who honorably and bravely fought and gave their lives in   defense of freedom; and

 

Whereas:    On this day, we are reminded that our freedom is won at great cost; and we are            thankful for the love of country shown by those who have chosen to wear the       uniform of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast      Guard who currently serve, and those who have gone on before them; and

 

Whereas:    In Georgia, we owe a special debt of gratitude to 26 of our own sons and            daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice during the past year.  We pray that    God bless all those who have served, that He bless those who gave all, that He      comfort the families and friends who lost loved ones, and that He continue to                     guide and protect our servicemen and women.

 

                        Now, therefore, in honor and as a mark of respect for the memory           of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our          nation, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the           State of Georgia, it is hereby

 

Ordered:     That during the weekend immediately preceding Memorial Day, (May 29 and    30) the flag of the United States and the flag of this State shall be flown at half-        staff on all state buildings and grounds.

 

                        It is further

 

Ordered:     That on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010, in accordance with 36 USC § 174,         the flag of the United States of America and the flag of this State shall be flown at   half-staff on all state buildings and grounds until noon, and then raised to the top        of the staff.

 

                        This 27^th day of May, 2010.

 

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