Chris Shaw, FOX 5 Reporter, said that "as he looked out at a crowd of couple hundred people, many dressing in uniform, or wearing red, white, and blue, Colonel Paul R. Longgrear couldn't help but think he was looking at a perfect example of what America can be".
Colonel Longgrear was the Guest Speaker at the Smyrna Veterans Day Ceremony. He greeted many of the attendees before and after the ceremony. He remarked how wonderful that it was that we included our youth in our Ceremony.
Colonel Longgrear said many of our residents don't realize that their co-workers, parents, or grandparents are heroes and many don't know of their military service whether on the front lines or in a support role. Our veterans do whatever has been asked of them, in the past and today.
Veterans Day honors all who have ever served. We thank you for your service. With help from Veterans, Longgrear created the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Up to fifteen Georgia military veterans will be inducted each year during the annual banquet. Of the fifteen, up to ten will be selected exclusively for their valorous military performance, up to five for their extraordinary achievements and up to five for their combined military/civilian service to our community, state, and nation. Up to three of the ten valorous inductees can be Medal of Honor recipients.
A hero is the kind of guy who sees an opportunity and seizes it. Of the 770,000 veterans in Georgia, very few have been recognized with awards.
