Georgia Military College honored Patriots Day Sept. 11 on its Grant Parade Field with local leaders, state representatives, veterans and active military, and all its cadets from GMC Prep to its college.
The ceremony included a moment of silence, the playing of “Taps,” and special remarks by 14th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps and Senior Vice President for Leadership Development at NewDay USA Al McMichael. McMichael served over 36 years of active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring in 2006. Since his retirement, McMichael has become a public speaker with a primary focus on leadership development, management, coaching and positive citizenship. He founded ‘4-DREW,’ a nonprofit organization providing leadership and mentor counseling for schools and children, according to his biography.
“We stand here today with our hearts filled with both heaviness and hopefulness as we remember that day etched collectively in our minds,” said McMichael. “It was a day the weak, the cowards of terrorists thought they could break the will and the spirit of the American people. But what they really did was bend us toward a dedication to democracy and freedom.”
After his speech, GMC President Major General Terrence McKenrick, Al McMichael, and Gold Star widow and GMC Prep Elementary School Para Pro Shanoca French laid a wreath at the flagpole in honor of the many lives lost during 9/11.
GMC’s World War II 75mm Pack Howitzer then fired at various times that morning, including at 8:46 a.m. when the North Tower was struck by American Airlines Flight 11, and then again at 9:03 a.m. when the South Tower was hit by United Airlines Flight 175. The howitzer fired again at 9:38 a.m. signifying when the Pentagon was struck by American Airlines Flight 77, and then again at 10:03 a.m. when Americans on United Airlines Flight 93 took the “fight to the terrorists who miscalculated their desire to preserve our freedom.”
Concluding the morning ceremony, Matthew Webster and Izabella Whitehead were honored for winning the Patriots Day Essay Contest. Please refer to last week’s online edition of The Baldwin Bulletin to read their essays.
Throughout the rest of the day, GMC hosted a First Responder Thank You Reception and a keynote address by General James L. Jones, USMC (Ret.) in the NewDay USA Center for Leadership.
Prior to his White House service, Jones served as the 32nd commandant of the United States Marine Corps as well as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and commander of U.S. European Command, where he led NATO’s largest combat mission in history and directed operations across 92 countries. He is now the president of Jones Group International and advises global leaders on energy security, national and international security, market access and trade promotion, and strategic leadership, according to his biography.
Jones spoke about the source of American power and how it should be used, how citizens should be educated and involved to promote how a free society should interact with “public servants of all stripes,” the challenges leaders of all levels face, and much more. To listen to his full speech, please refer to the Georgia Military College YouTube Channel.