Warner Robins celebrates Veterans Day, announces Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

WARNER ROBINS – The city of Warner Robins hosted a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov.11 honoring local veterans.

Earlier that day, veterans were invited to breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and later attended the ceremony at 11 a.m. at the city hall lawn.

Veterans from all branches gathered at the lawn and were recognized during the ceremony. Various participating organizations were present Monday morning including VFW 9998, American Legion post 594, Daughters of the American Revolution, U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club and other veteran-based organizations.

The ceremony included laying the wreath done by VFW 9998. An event speaker, retired SSgt. Glenwood Warren, spoke highly of Mayor LaRhonda Patrick. He said Patrick strives on the motto, “our city, our future” and believed it was represented by those who support their veterans.

During her opening remarks, Patrick said Veterans Day is a time for reflection, remembrance and gratitude.

“It is a day to honor the sacrifices that are made by our veterans who have dedicated themselves to the sense of freedom, justice and the values we hold dear in the United States of America,” she said.

She quoted Winston Churchill, who said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Patrick said these words are still true to this day and are truer to those who wore the uniform.

“We are forever indebted to all of those individuals who took the call to duty, but not only them, but to their spouses, their family and their children and loved ones who sacrificed right along with them,” she said.

Patrick also said she truly respects and honors veterans because that is who she is at her core. She shares this was instilled in her since she was a child, and she always looked up to her father and said, “I want to be like my hero when I grow up.”

“I wasn’t able to go into the military as a JAG officer in 2008, when it was hard to get in, but I still serve each of you every single day in my capacity here and even after I’m in this position. I will still honor and serve you to the best of my ability,” she said.

President of the Montford Point Marines chapter 35 Tony Price was this year’s guest speaker. He took the moment to thank fellow veterans who served or are currently serving. Price also gave thanks to their families for their support through deployments, separations and countless unknowns.

“Families are the backbone of our armed forces, providing the strength that allows our service members to carry out their missions with courage,” he said.

Price also recognized each branch present in the audience including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Space Force. 

He also did a special tribute to the Montford Pointe Marines, who answered the call to serve during World War II despite racial discrimination. According to Price, approximately 20,000 recruits trained at a segregated training facility called camp Monford Pointe in North Carolina from 1942 to 1949.

“As the first Black marines, they broke barriers and paved the way for desegregation within the United States Marine Corp leaving a profound legacy of courage, resilience and honor for many of us to follow,” he said. “They prove that valor and courage have nothing to do with color and these marines serve with honor, bravery and distinction in the World War II battles in the South Pacific.”

Price said they had to fight for the right to fight. He shared they were courageous individuals who protected the country’s liberty and independence when they were not protected with equal rights and received little recognition.

“On this Veterans Day, we recognize their contributions as a very important part of not just military history or black history but as American history,” he said.

To find out more about the Monford Pointe Marines click here. 

Mayor Patrick asked those deployed to stand and said they are owed a lot because they fought for the country in time of war. She also said many service members are not deployed, but they fight for their soil.

“To be deployed in a foreign land, to serve and fight for freedom, that deserves the upmost honor. Thank you all so much for your sacrifice that you’ve given, and you all are my heroes, and I thank you for what you have done,” she said.

Towards the end of the ceremony, Mayor Patrick made a special announcement. She asked all Vietnam veterans to stand in front of the stage and asked members of The Romeos, a local Vietnam veterans group, to stand alongside her.

Patrick shared when she ran for office four years ago, she discovered The Romeos, who have wanted a Vietnam veterans memorial for years.

Patrick announced the city has purchased five acres of land to be the home of the future Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It will honor the Georgia fallen on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Parkway.

There will be a celebration and tour of the site along with Congressman Sanford Bishop, who was an advocate of the project.

Mayor Patrick said it was a bumpy road, but she made sure to honor her promise to veterans.

“We worked hard, and I want to make sure I tell my friends those times got iffy, we stayed true, and we held on, and we have your site,” she said.