This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. If you enjoy reading Pike County Times, consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to support the only free online newspaper in Pike County. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County's only free online newspaper!
Lance Corporal Jimmy Harris
Private Charlie Tidwell
Lance Corporal Ricky McCuaig
Lance Corporal Lonnie Silver
ZEBULON - On Saturday, November 7, 2015, the Pike County American Legion Post 197 will host an Induction Ceremony of Private Charlie Tidwell, Lance Corporal James “Jimmy” Harris, Lance Corporal Glenn “Ricky” McCuaig, and Lance Corporal Lonnie Silver into the Pike County Memorial Annex. These four great Americans gave the ultimate sacrifice during Combat. The Tidwell, Harris, McCuaig, and Silver families were the guests of honor. Photos of the event are below this article.
The room was filled almost to capacity with family members of these four soldiers who were killed in action in the service of our country. Pike Post 197 Commander Bryan Richardson has been working with family members since April in preparation of this November ceremony.
Remembering Our KIA
The Pike County Board of Commissioners proclaimed November 7, 2015 to be the Pike County Military Killed-in-Action Recognition Day in a commission meeting earlier this year. This proclamation was read aloud. During the ceremony, the biographies were read for each inductee, the history of the Purple Heart Medal was told, and a shadow box of each inductee was unveiled at the Memorial Building.
These shadow boxes are on display for the public to see any time that the building is open. The biography of each service member is inside of the shadow box as well as a map of the area in which they were killed in action. The flag that was flown in the Patriot's Day ceremony are at the top of the triangular-shaped shadow boxes that are pictured below. Click here to read about this ceremony.
The Pike County Board of Commissioners proclaimed November 7, 2015 to be the Pike County Military Killed-in-Action Recognition Day in a commission meeting earlier this year. During the ceremony, the biographies were read for each inductee, the history of the Purple Heart Medal was told, and a shadow box of each inductee was unveiled at the Memorial Building.
These shadow boxes are on display for the public to see any time that the building is open. The biography of each service member is inside of the shadow box as well as a map of the area in which they were killed in action. The flag that was flown in the Patriot's Day ceremony are at the top of the triangular-shaped shadow boxes that are pictured below. Click here to read about this ceremony.
Each of these soldiers was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. Chaplain Ben Maxedon of Prayer Power of Georgia, Inc. told the history of the Purple Heart that was used to identify our soldiers and their valor. It is the oldest known military decoration still in use in the United States. These four soldiers are currently listed on the Pike County Veteran’s Memorial on the Court House Square.
“One of our objectives as a community is to somehow never forget the first responders and service members from Pike County who have given the ultimate sacrifice," said Commander Richardson. "It is our hope that this ceremony and shadow boxes is just one way that we can remember these heroes and help us to never forget their sacrifice to our nation and community."
Remembering Our MIA
Even as these heroes were honored, Commander Richardson reminded those in attendance that all of our soldiers have not returned home. There was a Prison of War/Missing in Action flag draped over an empty chair with a place setting on the table. He told those in attendance that this is reminder of the thousands of American POW and MIA still unaccounted for in the many wars and conflicts that American soldiers have been a part of.
"This is a reminder for all of us to spare no effort to secure the release of any American prisoners from captivity, the repatriation of the remains of those who died bravely in defense of liberty, and a full accounting of those missing," he said. Pike Post 197 placed a name tag on the table in honor of Lt. Robert E. Oxford, a WWII Missing in Action from Pike County. "May he someday rest in peace in the country he defended and provide final closure to his family.” Click here to read Lt. Oxford's story and that of his family as they ask the American government to bring his body home for burial in Concord.
Special Thanks
Pike Post 197 gives special thanks to the family points of contact: Mr. James Quick, Ms. Linda Lester, Ms. Louise Brooks, and Mr. Alton Silver, Chairman Briar Johnson and the Board of Commissioners for declaring November 7, 2015 as Killed In Action Day, the Pike County Board of Education for allowing the Alternative School to be used as the Pike County Memorial Annex, The Pike County Reporter and Pike County Times for covering American Legion events in Pike County, Sheriff Jimmy Thomas and the Pike County Sheriff's Office Color Guard, The Pike County Middle School History Club for their donation to help cover the costs of the shadow boxes, Mt. Gilead for the use of chairs for this event, Bill Walker for the use of his sound system, Mr. Paul Carter and his staff at the Iris City Art and Framing Shop in Griffin for their help in the making of these shadow boxes and his significant donation, and the Pike Post Legion Auxilliary and Sons of the Legion for their support,
More about Pike Post 197
Commander Bryan Richardson advised Pike County Times that the Pike County American Legion Post 197's objectives are to primarily honor and assist Veterans from Pike County though it will always assist any Veteran regardless of location. "The Post helps educate the community on Americanism, patriotism, and Veteran awareness through the hosting of Memorial Day, Patriot Day (9-11), Veteran's Day, Four Chaplains, and Pike County Memorial Annex (Hall of Fame) programs as well as being the keepers of the Pike County Veteran's Memorial on the Court House Square."
"The Post provides information and assistance to all Veterans, Veteran widows, and their families. Post 197 provides a facility for Veterans to meet in order to conduct American Legion business as well as to socialize and relax with fellow Veterans. The Post supports community events through military and Veterans representation, flag protocol, Veteran funeral representation and details, and donations."
You can submit donations directly by mail (Pike County American Legion Post 197, P.O Box 781, Zebulon, GA 30295). The Post has also set up a Go Fund Me account at www.gofundme.com/amlegionga197. Your donations are tax deductible and you will receive a receipt through the Go Fund Me account or from the Post through direct donations.
Left: Georgia and Rebekah Hanson sing the National Anthem as Lt. Laggis and Deputy Coffer of the Pike County Sheriff's Office Color Guard posted the colors for this event.
Right: Linda Lester accepts a memorial certificate on the behalf of her family.
Left: James Quick accepts a memorial certificate on the behalf of his family.
Right: Pike Post 197 remembers First Lt. Eugene Oxford who has been Missing in Action since January 25, 1944 though his plane was located in 2006. Click here to read about Lt. Oxford and his family's wish to finally bring him home to Concord, Georgia.
