Thursday was a special day for veterans across the United States as the country celebrated their contributions and honored their sacrifices, but in Habersham County, there was something extra for veterans to celebrate, too.
The county’s veteran center burnt down in the summer of 2020 due to an electrical shortage, and over a year later, the Grant-Reeves Veteran Center is back and better than ever, taking over the old School Tools & Office Pro’s building in Cornelia.
The new building is much bigger than the last, offering a new amount of space to host veterans, their families and community members for popular events like their bingo night. Grant-Reeves VFW Commander Bill Miles says that the new center is now the largest VFW facility in Northeast Georgia.
Members of the Grant-Reeves VFW, Grant-Reeves VFW Honor Guard and the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon to officially open the new Grant-Reeves Veteran Center Thursday night.
Honoring veterans
It was a busy night for the veterans center as they opened their doors to the public for the first time in their new building, kicked off their $1,000 bingo jackpot and shared the exciting news that the Grant-Reeves Veteran Center won the National Community Service Award for putting in the most community service hours in the state, but honoring the service of veterans is at the heart of their mission.
Commander Miles took a few moments in between celebration of the new building and door prizes to thank and recognize veterans, and their families, on the day the country honors them.
“Today we celebrate the millions of veterans who have made sure [of] our freedom, since America’s humble beginnings,” Miles says. “We celebrate their determination, dedication and unwavering patriotism.”
The Grant-Reeves VFW choir sang the national anthem, as well as the Armed Forces Medley, during which veterans were asked to stand during their branch’s anthem to be recognized by attendees.
“Through war and in times of peace, American veterans have remained committed to ensuring our great country remains the land of the free, and truly, the home of the brave,” Miles says.
