May 15, 2010 - Armed Forces Day celebration in Blairsville, Georgia

Armed Forces Day was recently celebrated at the Historical Courthouse in Downtown Blairsville. During the ceremony, Ed Reed talked about the history of Armed Forces Day. "On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department - the Department of Defense." Bob Huggins said a prayer and Mr. Reed went on to read the names of people serving our country that are from Union County. The list includes:

Evan Albright , US Navy

Jordan Allison , US Army West Point

Private 1stClass.Daniel Atkins , US Army

Airman Todd Atkins, US Navy

Sgt Brandon Burkhead, US Army

LCpl Deven P. Chapman, US Marine

Sr Airman Daniel Cochran, US Air Force

Private 1st Class Hunter Collins , US Army

SPC Jeff Cook , US Army

SPC Jeff Coots, US Army National Guard

ENC Blane Dorton , US Navy

ND2 Brady Dorton , US Navy

Todd Gibson, US Marines

Chad Glazer, US Navy

FN Lee Goodman , US Navy

Seaman Michael Hoppinworth, US Navy

SSGE6 Cory Ingram, US Army, Special Forces

Cadet Christopher Jones, US Army, West Point

PO Justin Jones , US Navy

Sr Airman Michael Jordan, US Air Force

SSG Seth Kelley , US Army

Alex Knight , US Marine

Seaman Kelly McCrackin, US Navy

Cpl Brandon Martin , US Marines

Pvt Mike Meliezer, US Army

PO2, Nathaniel S. Murphy, US Navy

Seaman Mathew Pirkle, US Navy

Pvt Nathaniel Prentice, US Army

1st LT John D. Rabun, US Air Force

Joshua Redditt , US Army

BC Brandon Robert Rightnowar, US Navy

Specialist Patrick Reutter , US Army

HN John Wilson Scanlon , US Marine

Brian Siefken , US Marine

Karl Siefken , US Marine

Andrew Sparks , US Army

LCpl Blake Stewart , US Marine

Sgt Matthew , US Army

Weston Varian, US Army Airborne

Pvt 1st Class Makena Wight , US Marines

Although turn-out was light at the event, the most patriotic of our citizens came to honor our sons and daughters, men and women that serve the United States of America. Thanks to everyone that supported Armed Forces Day in Union County. Organizers of the Armed Forces Day activities ask that you mark your calendars for next year's Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Historic Blairsville Courthouse. Plans are already underway for next year's celebration.

May 16, 2009 - Armed Forces Day celebrated at Blairsville's Historical Courthouse

Armed Forces Day was recently celebrated at the old Historical Courthouse in Downtown Blairsville. Families gathered on the lawn to tie ribbons for their loved ones serving in the military at home and abroad.

DDA Program Manager Janet Hartman welcomed participants and introduced guests. Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley gave a short speech in honor of the U.S. Military and thanked people for coming out to show support. Mr. Hubert Moss sang a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Traffic came to a stand still for a few moments as passer-bys realized that our national anthem was being broadcasted from the courthouse bell tower.

Chaplain Bob Huggins, North Georgia Honor Guard, said a heartfelt prayer asking God to bless our soldiers and keep them safe. The Armed Forces Day ceremony was short and sweet but accomplished its purpose - to honor and remember the men and women who are bound by oath and duty to serve and protect the United States of America .

A great big "Thank you and God Bless You" to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel, past and present, for serving their country.