Georgia Pauses to Honor Fallen Soldiers
By DICK PETTYSAssociated Press Writer
August 19, 2005, 1:55 AM EDT
ATLANTA -- A day after war protesters held candlelight vigils across the nation, Georgia mourned its fallen troops and paid homage to those still serving Thursday during a prayer service and moment of silence.
Flags atop public buildings flew at half staff, and a Capitol service was webcast so members of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Brigade in Iraq could watch.
Gov. Sonny Perdue announced plans for the memorial two weeks ago when the 48th Brigade suffered 11 casualties in 11 days. Four more members have died since then. A vehicle accident killed another brigade member in June.
The service drew hundreds of servicemen and women to the Capitol, along with veterans long retired from active duty.
"I'm here to support the troops, some of whom could be my grandkids. I think it's an appropriate thing to do, to show support," said Tom Salter, 63, who was a bomb disposal officer in Vietnam. With his son in Iraq, Robert Stokely had planned to attend the Capitol service. On Thursday, however, 23-year-old Sgt. Michael Stokely was among those being mourned.
"My son died doing what he wanted to do. My son was a man beyond anything I will ever achieve," the elder Stokely said, fighting back tears. "He was a good man. A good man."
The moment of silence began at 1 p.m.
At East Broad Elementary School in Savannah, third graders in Yolonda Washington and Melody Hunter's math class put down their pencils and laid their heads on their desks. Both teachers have husbands serving in Iraq with active-duty Army units.
Link Here
August 19, 2005, 1:55 AM EDT
ATLANTA -- A day after war protesters held candlelight vigils across the nation, Georgia mourned its fallen troops and paid homage to those still serving Thursday during a prayer service and moment of silence.
Flags atop public buildings flew at half staff, and a Capitol service was webcast so members of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Brigade in Iraq could watch.
Gov. Sonny Perdue announced plans for the memorial two weeks ago when the 48th Brigade suffered 11 casualties in 11 days. Four more members have died since then. A vehicle accident killed another brigade member in June.
The service drew hundreds of servicemen and women to the Capitol, along with veterans long retired from active duty.
"I'm here to support the troops, some of whom could be my grandkids. I think it's an appropriate thing to do, to show support," said Tom Salter, 63, who was a bomb disposal officer in Vietnam. With his son in Iraq, Robert Stokely had planned to attend the Capitol service. On Thursday, however, 23-year-old Sgt. Michael Stokely was among those being mourned.
"My son died doing what he wanted to do. My son was a man beyond anything I will ever achieve," the elder Stokely said, fighting back tears. "He was a good man. A good man."
The moment of silence began at 1 p.m.
At East Broad Elementary School in Savannah, third graders in Yolonda Washington and Melody Hunter's math class put down their pencils and laid their heads on their desks. Both teachers have husbands serving in Iraq with active-duty Army units.
Link Here
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