>> GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE
Georgia Military College hosted its annual Veterans Day events last Friday.
Friday morning began with GMC Prep elementary’s students welcoming veterans in their PAW-sitively Thankful Walk-Thru. Veterans walked through Jenkins Hall with students cheering them on. Each elementary student sported an American flag which they waved and a hat that they colored and wore in support. Many of the veterans offered the students high fives and salutes echoing the halls with smiles, laughter, and happy shouts.
Later, the community was invited to the Veterans Day ceremony where guest speaker Representative Heath Clark spoke about his gratitude towards veterans and the next generation. Clark is currently a member of the Georgia House of Representatives for District 147 and was recently appointed to the GMC Board of Trustees as an advisory board member. According to a press release, in his representative role, he serves as the chairman for the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee, and sits on the Appropriations, Insurance, Intragovernmental Coordination, Science and Technology, Special Rules, Public Safety and Homeland Security committees.
“My dad served 20 years in the Air Force…and fast forward and I would eventually begin a career at Robins Air Force Base,” said Clark.
Clark refers to himself as a ‘military brat’ and shares his experiences of growing up alongside his dad’s profession and his own connection with GMC and the Robins Air Force Base. Thanks to these parts of his life, he feels that he can truly understand, acknowledge, and honor veterans’ service.
“The sacrifices that you go through and have gone through to make sure our country is still the greatest nation on Earth is something we are all thankful for. Even in these divided times, there is an anchor that holds us to be divisive through the freedoms that your service and sacrifices have given us,” said Clark looking over the crowd.
Clark finished his speech thanking the students who are pursuing futures in the military. He remarks that their hard work and future service will also be something that this country is thankful for and that he is proud of them for.
“To have these couple of minutes to share my gratitude was astonishing for me,” said Clark. “And I am so thankful and impressed that all of you have risen to prepare the next generation as well.”
Following the ceremony, GMC Prep School art students opened their display of special artwork in the Legislative Chamber of the Old Capital Building. The community was invited to attend and look at the displays of paintings, sculptures and more that students created to honor local veterans.
“GMC will forever be thankful for the sacrifices our veterans have made for this great nation,” said Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, USA (Ret), president of Georgia Military College.