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Articles written by Martha Poole Simmons


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  • In Memory

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

    Lt. Col John Gibson Hamilton passed away April 14, 2025. He served 34 years in the U.S. Military including six years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 28 years in the U.S. Air Force including a tour in Vietnam. His biographical article was published in the June 2021 issue of the Alabama Gazette....

  • VETERANS MAY BIRTHDAYS

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

    Edward G. Platt……………..May 2nd Jimmy F. Meacham…………May 5th Linda L. Boyle……………….May 6th Joel A.. Burdette…………….May 6th LaQuiesha Andrews………..May 7th Sandra Dee Lucas………….May 13th Paul Williamson…………….May 14th David L. McFarland………...May 16th Lenora White………………..May 19th Richard Aldridge…………….May 20th Ronald W. Balkom………….May 20th Willie Durham……………….May 22nd Ell White……………………..May 27th Joseph Simon……………… May 29th Jason R. Hughes...

  • Veterans

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

  • Senior Master Sergeant Sharon Kay Waters: Age 78

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

    Senior Master Sergeant Sharon Kay Waters served 22 years in the United States Air Force. Her Air Force Specialty Code was Administrative Superintendent for three years and one month and Administrative Technician for 19 years and three months. She received the following decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons: Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Awar...

  • Chaplain, Major Alexander Palomaria: Age: 56

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

    Chaplain, Major Alexander Palomaria served 32 years in the U.S. military including nine years in the Army and 23 years in the Air Force. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was Chaplain, and he served as a chaplain for 19 years. He received the following decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons: Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence...

  • Major Thomas Leon Harrell: Age 82

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

    Major Thomas Leon Harrell served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force Specialty Code included Acquisition Management, Acquisition Project Officer, Configuration Identification Officer and Chemical Engineer. He received the following medals, decorations, badges, citations and campaign ribbons: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense...

  • Major General James Everette Livingston MOH, USMC (Ret)

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

    Major General James E. Livingston served over 33 continuous years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. His Military Occupational Service Code was Infantry Officer. During the Vietnam War, on May 2, 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer, Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Maj Gen Livingston distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy forces during the Battle of Dai Do, and he earned the Medal of Honor, and he is the only recipient of...

  • 908th Flying Fighter Wing's Family Day

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

    The 908th Flying Fighter Wing held a Family Day at Maxwell Air Force Base on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Personnel with this Wing and their families enjoyed a day filled with games, jumping on inflatable bounce houses, face painting, riding tricycles, videos, vendors such as the American Red Cross and a lunch of freshly grilled hotdogs and hamburgers. The 908th Flying Training Wing is Alabama’s only U. S. Air Force Reserve Wing. It has approximately 1,000 members serving in more than 80 career f...

  • New Montgomery-Area Organization: The River Region Veterans Coalition

    Martha Poole Simmons|May 1, 2025

    The River Region Veterans Coalition (RRVC) is a new, diverse organization in Montgomery forming a regional non-profit/apolitical coalition of public and private sector organizations. Other such AL groups are the South AL Veterans Council (SAVC) in Mobile, the Central AL Veterans Collaborative (CAVC) in Birmingham and the North AL Veterans & Fraternal Organizations Coalition (NAVOC)) in Huntsville. The River Region Veterans Coalition has already held meetings in February and March of this year wi...

  • Vietnam War Veterans Day: March 29, 2025

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2025

    Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, AL., on March 29, 2025. Col John Eidsmoe served as emcee of the ceremony. A color guard posted the colors including the American flag and the Vietnam War Veterans flag, and this was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. The names of service members from Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore Counties, AL, who lost their lives serving in Vietnam were read. The traditional ceremony of folding...

  • Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) High School Baseball Team Honors Veterans

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2025

    On March 27, 2025, at a baseball game on the campus of LAMP, members of Chapter 607 Vietnam Veterans of America were honored. Each year Coach Frank Parsons, the Lamp baseball head coach, invites all military personnel whether retired or on active duty to enjoy a Lamp baseball game. Coach Parsons and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 607 have enjoyed a special relationship for several years. Prior to the game, all servicemen and servicewomen are recognized by their branch of service. Chapter...

  • Obituaries

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2025

    Sargent First Class Patrick Louis Campbell passed away March 8, 2025 at the age of 87. He served 21 years in the U.S. Army including a tour in Vietnam. His article was published in the March 2022 issue of the Alabama Gazette. Harold Lamar Smith passed away March 27, 2025 at the age of 101. He served in the U.S. Army in the Battle of Italy. His article was published in the December 2018 issue of the Alabama Gazette....

  • Chief Warrant Officer Robert Allen Morris: Age 93

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2025

    Chief Warrant Officer (CWO4) Robert Allen Morris served 25 years in the U.S. Navy. His Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) included Seaman, Boilerman, Ship Construction and Repair Superintendent and Auxiliary Machinery Officer (9302). His Naval service on five Naval ships included one tour off the coast of Korea and three tours off the coast of Vietnam as well as European service in the Mediterranean Sea. His medals and ribbons included: Combat Action ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Republic...

  • Major William Stephen Gunter: Age 67

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2025

    Major William Stephen Gunter served 23 years and six months in the U.S. military including three years and nine months in the Naval Reserve and 19 years and six months in the Air Force. His Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) was Corpman Medic, and his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) included RN, Counter Intelligence Agent and Trainer, Foreign Military Specialist, Contingency War Planner, operations Manager, Political Military Affairs Strategist, Academic Program Manager and Special...

  • Brigadier General (Ret) Jeffrey L. Newton: Age 64

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2025

    Brigadier General (Ret) Jeffrey L. Newton served 41 years with the U.S. Air Force and the AL Air National Guard. His Air Force Specialty Code included: A. 1. Operations Support Officer, 117th Resource Management Squadron, August 1989-September 1993, 2. Management and Systems Officer, 117th Readiness Squadron, September 1993-January 2000, 3. Chief of Supply, 117th Logistics Readiness Squadron, January 2000-September 2000, 4. Aircraft Maintenance Officer, 117th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron,...

  • Specialist Richard Howard Phelps: Age 80

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2025

    Specialist (SPC E-5) Richard Howard Phelps served two years in the U.S Army. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Heavy Equipment Operator 62-E20. He received the following medals, citations, awards and decorations: National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Private Badge, Sharpshooter (Rifle M-4) Badge, Expert Pistol Badge and Army Commendation Medal. SPC Phelps was born November 25,1944 to his parents, Howard and Frances Phelps in Montgomery, AL, and he was...

  • VETERANS APRIL BIRTHDAYS

    Martha Poole Simmons|Apr 1, 2025

    Lee J. Stuckey…………………….April 1st Frank Stovall...……………………April 2nd Trent H. Edwards…………………April 4th John G. Hamilton…………………April 4th Antonio R. Whetstone……………April 8th Harold Woodman…………………April 9th John L. Cannady………………….April 15th Charles B. Stults………………….April 23rd Samuel Brown…………………….April 22nd Wanda Sue Mehlhoff……………..April 25th Larry H. Stevenson……………….April 29th...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 21, 2025

    First Sergeant Robert Frederick Goorley: Age 79 Frist Sergeant (1SG) Robert Frederick Goorley served 32.5 years in the U.S. Military including one year of duty in the Navy Reserve, two years of active duty in the Navy and 26.5 years in the Army National Guard Special Forces (18Z) which are elite units that perform dangerous missions around the world. Members of Special Forces are experts in guerilla warfare and training foreign resistance forces. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 21, 2025

    Col Jerry Lamar Sailors: Age 84 Col Jerry Lamar Sailors served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was Pilot with time in various aircraft, but predominantly in the C-141A and the C-130E. The C-141 was used in various mission profiles during the conflict in Southeast Asia, including aeromedical evacuation missions. The C-130E, an American four engine turboprop military transport aircraft for troops, medevac and cargo, was capable of using unprepared runways for...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 21, 2025

    Petty Officer First Class Jerry Wayne Moreland: Age 83 Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Jerry Wayne Moreland served in the United States Navy for 20 years and nine months. His Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) was communications as a radio man. He received the following medals, awards, decorations, citations and ribbons: Good Conduct Medal (five), Meritorious Unit Commendation and Golden Wreath Award (seven) for excellent performance meeting criteria set by the Commanding Officer Navy...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 2, 2025

    Col Richard Giordano: Age 92 Col Richard Giordano served 32 years in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) included (1.) Director of Logistics, (2.) Wing Commander, (3.) Aerospace Maintenance Director and (4.) Director of Operations. He received the following medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons; Legion of Merit with two Devices, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with three Devices, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Device, Air Force Longevity Service Award...

  • Central AL Veterans Health Care System Celebrated 85th Anniversary

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 2, 2025

    On February 10, 2024, the Central AL Veterans Health Care System celebrated the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the medical center at 216 Perry Hill Road in Montgomery. An outdoor flag raising ceremony was held on the campus. Stephen Sheets, the Associate Director of the medical center, served as the emcee of the program. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Wille J. Rogers, Sr. Vice Commander of the AL American Legion, and the invocation was given by the VA Chaplain Tony Brown. Amir...

  • National WW2 Museum at New Orleans

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 2, 2025

    The National WW2 Museum offers a compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail. It features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories taking visitors inside the story of the war that changed the world. Beyond the galleries, the Museum's online collections, virtual field trips, webinars, educational travel programs and renowned International Conference on World War II offer patrons new ways to connect...

  • Townsend Detachment #920 United States Marine Corps League Elects New Officers

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 2, 2025

    The Townsend Detachment #920 United States Marine Corps League met at the Perryhill Methodist Church on February 15, 2025 where members installed new officers who will serve a one year term. The new officers are: Commandant and Toys for Tots Coordinator: Nancy Burtron, Robert Fell, Judge Advocate and Junior Past Commandant: Mike Jefferies, Pay Master: Chuck Moore, Adjutant: Pat Jefferies, Sergeant at Arms: Mark Kuehndorf, Chaplain: Charles Harris, Web Sergeant: Eric Neese, News Letter Editor:...

  • WWII Veteran Romay Catherine Davis Honored Posthumously

    Martha Poole Simmons|Mar 2, 2025

    The WWII veteran, Catherine Romay Catherine Davis was honored posthumously by former President Joseph Biden with his issuing a certificate honoring the memory of her service in the Women’s Army Corps (WACS). A biographical article of her was published in the January 2020 issue of the Alabama Gazette....

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