MOPH Chapter 531, Patriot, U.S. Navy, Captain (retired) John Hancock, WWII veteran and participant in the Battle of the Coral Sea and Battle of Midway, aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown was presented a “Quilt of Honor” by The Elijah Clarke Chapter DAR in Athens, GA on November 16, 2017.
Chapter 531, NE GA, Patriots commemorate Veterans’ Day, 11-11-2017 at Oconee County Veterans’ Memorial Park, Watkinsville, GA, on a sunny, cold, blustery windy day. Presentation of the colors was performed by Sons of the American Revolution.
Chapter 531 Patriot, Curry T. Haynes, 71 of White Planes, GA, passed away on July 16, 2017. His Celebration of Life service was on July 29th at the Grace Fellowship Church, Greensboro, GA. Curry will be well remembered for his service as an Army Infantryman in Vietnam serving in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Company C of the 503rd Infantry where he received 10 Purple Hearts, during intensive combat action in December 1967 and again on May 8, 1968. Curry was honored by the State of Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal, for his exemplary meritorious service to his country in October 2015. At the same awards ceremony held at the University of Georgia, Purple Heart National, represented by Doug Middleton recognized Curry…
Heather De Los Santos, Volunteer Coordinator for Homestead Hospice, and Patriot Brian West presented 94 year old WWII US Army veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, a “Quilt of Valor”, WWII Victory Challenge Coin, Homestead Hospice recognition pin and certificate of honor at the veteran’s home in Auburn, GA on June 26, 2017. The veteran’s son and daughter-in-law were present for the awards, and very grateful for the recognition that he received.
Chapter 531 Patriots, Brian West (L) and John Cranmer (R) pose for Homestead Hospice pinning ceremony for a Vietnam Era Army Veteran in Toccoa, GA, June 20, 2017. The client received a Homestead Hospice / American flag pin, a beautiful Quilt of Valor, two challenge coins, and a certificate. The veteran and his family were very appreciative of the honors and gifts.
MOPH Chapter 531 member U.S. Navy, Captain (retired), John Hancock was the Honored Special Guest at the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway aboard the USS Yorktown CV-10 in Mt. Pleasant, SC. on 5 June 2017. Captain Hancock was a 17 years old seaman, manning a 50 caliber, water-cooled machine gun, firing at the enemy, when a bomb exploded killing many Marines and sailors, and wounding John Hancock. When the “abandon ship” order was given, John Hancock drifted at sea, covered in oil, with only his life vest for flotation for several hours before being rescued by a Navy destroyer.
MOPH Chapter 531 gathered for the Memorial Day Services at the Oconee County Veterans’ Memorial in Watkinsville on Monday, May 29, 2017. Heavy rain storms forced the ceremonies inside.
Caleb Wiff receives a $500 award from Chapter 531, MOPH for the Spring semester at UGA. Caleb is a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Henry Lord (L) receives the MOPH, JROTC Leadership Award from Patriot Brian West (R), Chapter 531 at the Banks County High School, Awards’ Day, May 23, 2017. Henry is a rising junior. He has been the Cadet Staff Sgt. both his freshman and sophomore years. Rank and billets are assigned at the beginning of the school calendar year. His name was called on many other awards from within the JROTC Dept. Henry is a well deserving Leadership Award winner. Henry has been a life long resident of Banks County.
Newspaper article in the Sunday, May 7, 2017 edition of the Athens Banner written by Loran Smith. The news column appeared in the paper in conjunction with U.S. Navy Captain (retired) John Hancock attending and being an honored guest at the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea of which John Hancock was a 17 year old sailor on the USS Yorktown CV-5. President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Prime Minister of Australia, Malcom Turnbull were in attendance.