Published Sunday, October 05, 2008

Veteran of Year nominees sought

By Winston Skinner

The Times-Herald

The American Legion is seeking nominations for its Veteran of the Year Award.

Newnan's Post 57 sponsors the annual program. An award is presented to a veteran at the Veterans Day program in the city park at Jackson Street and Temple Avenue, where the planned Veterans Plaza is slated to be constructed. Wendell Whitlock, the longtime county director of public works, was Veteran of the Year in 2007.

Post 57 Commander Dick Stender announced the organization's effort to seek nominations from area residents for this year's award.

"With a veteran population of eight or nine thousand," Stender said, "there are too many veterans deserving of this honor, who may never be considered, only because we do not know about them."

Stender advised that the nomination should tell a little about the nominee's military service, including any special awards, decorations and foreign service. The nominee's achievements in civilian life are important and should be included.

The Veteran of the Year award seeks to recognize those who have served in the defense of the nation and returned to help make Newnan/Coweta a better place to work and live. Supporting letters from individuals or organizations can be attached to the nomination.

The commander noted that this year's annual ceremonies will be special. "We will hold our program near the ongoing construction of the new memorial plaza, a dream that is now reality. There will be recognition of those who have worked to make it happen and another special award," he said.

A local citizens committee -- appointed by the Newnan City Council -- has been working for several months on the Veterans Plaza project. The project will include a brick-lined amphitheater at the Veterans Plaza. There will be plaques honoring Cowetans who died in war from World War I forward.

Many of the bricks in the plaza were given by local citizens, organizations and businesses and are engraved with names or messages.

The Veterans Day program will be held Nov. 11. Stender said that event promises "to be one that Coweta citizens will remember."

Submissions may be mailed to Veteran of the Year, P.O. Box 544, Newnan, GA 30264. All submissions must be received by Oct. 24.

Anyone needing further information is asked to call Stender at 770-301-6076.