Editor, The Times:
I was blessed to be a member of the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. and return to Brunswick Saturday, May 13.
While in D.C. we visited some of the memorials and my high point was the WWII memorial. I was not the only person a little teary-eyed while looking and reading. It was an experience I will never forget.
Speaking of unforgettable, our return to Brunswick was awesome. The people of that town remarkable. When we entered the terminal we were greeted by ROTC with an arch of sabers and the high school band was on the loft, playing the anthem. The terminal was full of hundreds of people cheering “USA”, “thank you”, and other tributes to the veterans, but more importantly to this great country we live in. These people all remained in that hot terminal even with the airplane arriving two hours late. That is patriotism at its finest. Congratulations to the people of Brunswick for a job well done.
I hope when people are watching the news where they are always trying to take away free speech and our guns, brainwash our children in many schools (thank heaven, not ours) and now they are infiltrating our churches, even trying to take away from the farmers, when seeing these things, I hope we all remember that small town America is the backbone of this country. Our display of patriotism and love of country is probably more important now than it has ever been since 9-11 and WWII.
The Fourth of July should be a day of celebration throughout the USA, celebrating our independence and freedom. This is a time for small town America to really show out. Last year, I wouldn’t have known it was the Fourth in Blackshear had it not been for Emmanuel Baptist’s outstanding fireworks display. Blackshear should be covered in red, white and blue with something in the park.
Speaking of the park, approximately a year ago I met with Mayor Keith Brooks and Ms. Bethany Strickland concerning the WWII memorial. Ms. Strickland suggested we use the west end of the park. I agreed that would be wonderful and the mayor said it got his vote. Shortly after that, someone said no and that ended that.
At a later meeting with the mayor, Ms. Strickland, Police Chief Chris Wright and Councilman Dr. Corey Lesseig on one side, and three locals with me, we met again. I asked the question, someone give me one reason why the memorials should not be in the park? No one had an answer, except that someone doesn’t want it in the park. Chris did say it would require a light and the neighbors wouldn’t like it. The park needs lighting or it will turn into a hangout and most residents welcome outside lighting.
This all started some time ago when the cannon the Rotary Club donated to the city was removed from the park because it might injure someone (according to two eyewitnesses it was damaged during removal). Then came word that the memorial would follow. A group of concerned locals started collecting signatures on a petition to keep it in the park where it belongs. We had collected several hundred and thought we had an agreement, but it has been made apparent in conversations with city hall that those signatures are meaningless. As I was leaving Ms. Strickland’s office after my last visit, she said, “the memorial is going over there” and pointed to the old jail. That statement told me we were wasting our time.
Pierce County and Blackshear is a wonderful place to live. Let’s keep it that way. It is my view and my view only that what is happening with the memorial looks like part of the cancel culture movement which has no place in Pierce County, Georgia.
This wonderful project could be completed at a minimal cost, once the plaques and cannon are repaired at city cost. I say this as the refurbishment is required due to neglect. One of the men attending told Ms. Strickland some locals might help to pay for locating it on the west end. I know I will kick in. It could be designed locally and this memorial would be visited by many, if done with a positive attitude and the right people involved. Thank you.
Robert (Bob) Lentz
U.S. Navy Retired
