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Articles written by martha poole simmons


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  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Nov 1, 2021

    Major David Timothy Boyle Major David Timothy Boyle served 20 years in the United States Air Force. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was communications operations officer and communications staff officer. He received the following decorations, medals and awards: Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Oct 1, 2021

    Lt. Woodward Durham Lamar: Age 98 Lt. Woodward Durham Lamar served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy for four years of active duty during WWII and served seven years in the Navy Reserve. Lt. Lamar was born October 31, 1922 in Montgomery, AL, to his parents, Robert Jones Lamar and Mary Yougene Lamar. Lt. Lamar’s four brothers also served during WWII, and one brother was killed in combat when he was flying a B-25. Lt. Lamar was reared in Montgomery and graduated from Lanier High School in 1940. He w...

  • Honoring Our Hereos

    Martha Poole Simmons|Sep 1, 2021

    Col Kenneth D. Carlson: Age 90 Col Kenneth D. Carlson served 29 years in the United States Air Force. His Military Occupational Specialty Code (MOSC) was Air Operations Staff Officer. He received the following medals, awards and decorations: Legion of Merit, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Expeditionary Service Award for Overseas: Lebanon, Congo and Formosa, Outstanding...

  • Honoring Our Hereos

    Martha Poole Simmons|Aug 1, 2021

    Terrell Lamar Best: Age 95 Terrell Lamar Best served almost 32 months in the United States Coast Guard during WWII. His military occupational specialty (MOS) was Signalman Third Class. He received the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with two bronze stars. Best was born in Montgomery, AL, September 21, 1925, to his parents, Terrell and Louise Best. He was reared in Montgomery and graduated from Lanier High School in May 1943. After working at Panama City for about a month, he volunteered at age 17...

  • Honoring Our Hereos

    Martha Poole Simmons|Jul 1, 2021

    Sergeant Major James Earl Jackson Sergeant Major (SGM) James Earl Jackson served 30 years in the United States Army, and this service included three deployment tours in Vietnam for 36 months, one in Korea, two in Germany and one in Guam. His family has four generations of members serving their country in the U.S. Army as his father, his two sons, a grandson and he have served. His decorations, medals, badges, citations and ribbons were: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, 1st OLC, Army...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Jun 1, 2021

    Colonel Hugh David McCracken, Jr.: Age: 85 Col Hugh David McCracken, Jr. served 26 years in the United States Air Force. He was born October 27, 1935, at West Hartford, CT, to his parents, Hugh David McCracken, Sr. and Grace, and he graduated from Wethersfield High School at Wethersfield, CT, in 1953. He received a B.S. Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies of Mathematics and Physics in 1957 from Trinity College at Hartford, CT. Having participated in the Air Force ROTC while in college, he...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2021

    Thomas Miller Derickson Jr.: Age 95 Thomas Miller Derickson, Jr. served two years in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a diesel mechanic at the rank of Motor Machinists’ Mate Third Class. He received the following ribbons: Victory Ribbon and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon. Derickson was born July 4, 1925, in Meridian, MS, to his parents, Thomas M. Derickson, Sr. and Myrtis Derickson. He was reared in Montgomery, AL, where he played trombone in the band and graduated from Lanier High School in 1...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2021

    Brigadier General Trent H. Edwards: Age 53 Brigadier General Trent H. Edwards served 30 years in the United States Air Force. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was Financial Management and Comptroller. Although he was trained as a financial manager, he really excelled in taking care of people by connecting and empowering people at the individual and organization-level. This highly decorated officer received the following awards and decorations: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 1, 2021

    Col James Edwin Salminen: Age 79 Colonel James Edwin Salminen is a United States veteran who served 27 years in the U.S. Air Force, and his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was pilot and pilot-commander. He flew fighters and interceptors including the F-101 and F-102 interceptors as well as the RF-101 reconnaissance fighters, F-100 fighter and four models of the F-111, swing-wing fighter. In Vietnam, he few 183 RF-101 combat missions including 100 of them over North Vietnam. Col Salminen served...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Feb 1, 2021

    MAJ Ell White II & SGM Lenora White Major Ell White II Major Ell White II served 25 years, 11 months, and 11 days in the U.S. military including over four years in the Navy, over five years in the AL Army National Guard and over 15 years in the Army. His Military Area of Concentration (AOC) was Senior Human Resources Manager. His military medals, awards, and ribbons included: Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge after participating in firefights, ambushes, and combat operations during his tou...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Jan 1, 2021

    Happy 101st Birthday, Helen Lattal! A 101st Birthday Drive-by Parade for Helen Lattal, a WWII WAC, was held January 4, 2021, in front of the Central-East AL Chapter of the American Red Cross. The parade was led by representatives of the Montgomery Police and Fire Departments, and other participants including Dr. Amir Farooqi, Director of the Central AL Veterans Health Care System, Admiral Kent Davis, Commissioner of the AL Dept. of Veterans Affairs, members of the Peter Forney Chapter and the...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Dec 1, 2020

    Brig Gen Lawrence H. Stevenson: Age 73 Brig Gen Lawrence H. Stevenson serviced 30 years in the United States Air Force. He served as the Vice Commander, Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, GA. In this position, General Stevenson was responsible for worldwide logistics support of most transport aircraft, F-15 fighters, support for remotely piloted vehicles, all Air Force helicopters, air-to-air missiles, surface motor vehicles, high-technology airborne electronics, as well...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Nov 1, 2020

    Romay Catherine Davis – 101st Birthday Parade in Her Honor! On November 4th, over 120 people participated in the 101st Birthday Drive-by Parade honoring the WWII WAC, Romay Catherine Davis. Participants included multiple fire engines and police cars from the Montgomery Fire and Rescue Department and the Police Department. The VFW, DAR, American Legion and the AL Dept. of Veterans Affairs were represented in the parade. Thirty-five members of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club from AL and S...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Oct 1, 2020

    COL Edgar Leslie Smith III: Age 77 COL Edgar L. Smith is a highly decorated U.S. Army veteran who served 27 years in active duty including two tours in Vietnam as well as deployments to Germany and the Panama Canal. He received the following medals, badges and citations: the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, four Bronze Stars with “V” device and over additional Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device and two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart with oak leaf cl...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Sep 1, 2020

    MSgt. Jimmy F. Meacham: Age 84 MSgt. Jimmy F. Meacham served 42 years in the U.S. military including four years in the regular Air Force, 18 years in the Air Force Reserves and 20 years in the AL Air National Guard. He received the following awards and medals: Meritorious Service Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, USAF Commendation Medal with One Bronze Oak Leaf, USAF Achievement Medal with One Bronze Oak Leaf, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal,...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Aug 1, 2020

    Major LeonArd Norman: Age 71 Major LeonArd Norman not only valiantly served for four years in the U. S. Army, he also served 25.5 years as a policeman in Montgomery, AL, where he earned the rank of Major. His military medals and awards include two Purple Hearts, the Army Commendation Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with “V” Device and Oak Leaf Clusters, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star with “V” Device, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Jul 1, 2020
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    Col. Joseph Edward Boyett, Jr.: 84 Col. Joseph E. Boyett Jr. served 25 years in the United States Air Force in military logistics. As an operations research scientist, he created models to understand cause and effect relationships between support systems and weapon systems and to discover ways to improve combat capability. His studies led to changes in support systems that were confirmed by improvements in cost, schedule and performance. He received the following medals: Legion of Merit, B...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Jun 1, 2020

    John L. Cannady, Jr.: Age 62 John L. Cannady, Jr. served in the United States Air Force for 22 years and seven months. He received the following medals and awards: AF Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal, AF Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, AF Organizational Excellence Award, AF Good Conduct Metal, Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon, National Defense Service Metal, AF Overseas Short and Long Tour Ribbons, AF Longevity Award, NCO Professional Military Education...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2020

    Eugene Thomas Beasley: Age 95 Eugene Thomas Beasley is a WWII veteran who served as a signal man in the U. S. Navy aboard the USS North Carolina (BB-55) in the Pacific Theater. On September 15, 1942, he received severe injuries to both eyes when a Japanese torpedo struck the ship causing blindness in one eye. Beasley volunteered for military service and served three years, four months and 21 days from June 17, 1941, until December 4, 1944, when he was honorably discharged because of his...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2020

    Brigadier General Marvin Kent Speigner: Age 96 Brigadier General (BG) Marvin Kent Speigner served in the U. S. Army for 35 years. His medals and awards are: Combat Infantry Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with Three Stars, World War II Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal Alabama Commendation Medal and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal. BG Speigner was...

  • Honoring our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 1, 2020

    Walter Mabry Whetstone Sr. Age 100 Walter Mabry Whetstone Sr. at 100 years of age is the oldest living WWII veteran in Elmore County, AL, as of February 16, 2020. He served in the Army in the liberation of Italy. Whetstone received the following medals: European African Service Medal, Easter Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal and WWII Victory Medal. Whetstone was born January 2, 1920, in Weoka, a rural community in Elmore County, AL, to his parents, Theophilus Walton...

  • Honoring Our Heros

    Martha Poole Simmons|Feb 1, 2020

    Adrian Jack Lively ~ 79 Adrian Jack Lively served 20 years in the U. S. Air Force as a radar technician and as an air-traffic controller. During 11.5 years of that service, he served four overseas tours including three remote, two in combat zones and one accompanying tour which allowed his family to go with him. Lively’s conclusions about his service to his country via the U. S. Air Force are, “It was this to me. I grew up in a military family. My dad was discharged from the U. S. Army aft...

  • Honoring Our Heros

    Martha Poole Simmons|Jan 1, 2020

    Romay Catherine Davis: 100 Romay Catherine Davis served two years and four months in the Women’s Army Corps (WACS) during World War II. She was born October 29, 1919, to her parents, Fairfax and Catherine Johnson, in Prince George County, VA, where she finished the 7th grade followed by education in Camden, NJ, attendance at Harren High School in New York City and graduation from Dumbar High School in Washington, D.C. After graduation, Davis worked for a year in the U. S. Treasury Dept. o...

  • Patriotic Ceremony for Veteran's Funerals

    Martha Poole Simmons|Jan 1, 2020

    • Veterans are entitled to a patriotic ceremony at their funerals. • Families should take a copy of the veteran’s DD214 discharge papers to the funeral home and ask for an honor guard to conduct a flag ceremony. • Although the funeral home can arrange for the honor guard to include a bugler to play “Taps”, that bugler may bring a bugle and play a tape recording. • To arrange for a “live bugler”, contact Raymond Keel, a veteran who attend veterans’ funerals and plays “Taps” live. • Call...

  • Honoring our Heros

    Martha Poole Simmons|Dec 1, 2019

    Robert Shafton Kohn ~ 97 Robert Shafton Kohn served in combat in the U. S. Army’s Infantry for 52 days in the WWII Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of the Rhineland under General George Patton in the 3rd Army, 90th Infantry Division, 359th Battalion, Company M (Heavy Weapons). Company M used 81 mm mortars and 30-caliber machine guns. Soldiers carried a 30-caliber carbine and a 45-caliber pistol. He also served stateside in the Army National Guard for 13 months during the time of the Korean W...

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