WoodmanLife Chapter 565 of Cleveland recently recognized local military personnel who received a Purple Heart. A total of seven recipients were recognized.
The featured speaker was Command Sergeant Major Clint Cowser with the Georgia Army National Guard. He thanked Woodmen of the World for the recognition and the military personnel and veterans who were wounded in service.
“To all the Purple Heart recipients in this community, those present today and those that have served before, we offer our deepest and most heartfelt thanks. Thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment to our nation. We are eternally indebted to you.”
Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner read the proclamation approved by the city council last November, designating the city as a Purple Heart City.
Leigh Ammons of Cleveland, who spearheaded efforts to get the City of Cleveland and White County listed on the Purple Heart registry, also shared with the group about how she and her husband, Chris, became involved in this effort.
The seven living Purple Heart recipients were then recognized. They are John Greene, Keith Kimsey, Terry Mulkey, Jack Norris, Cutbert “Cal” Riley, David Stowers, and Richard Thomas. Mulkey and Thomas were the only two recipients who could attend the ceremony.
In concluding the ceremony, Leigh Ammons read the names of deceased WoodmenLife members and relatives who received Purple Hearts. They included: Raymone Allen, Clyde Free, Jesse Lee Gilleland, Jason Harkins, John Thomas Jarrard, Sr., Charlie Robinson, Samuel Robinson, Dewey Turner, and G.W. Williams.
The White County Honor Guard paid tribute with a 21-gun salute, Taps, and raising the American and Purple Heart Flags.
