Veterans honored at ‘Last Roll Call’

With each name called, Nelson Mainor used a mallet to ring the gong. In all, 15 area veterans who passed away during the past six months were honored during the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center Last Roll Call Ceremony of Remembrance.

On Friday, the VA remembered Leo Roger Koss (Army), Robert Elwood Tiemann (Navy), James Harden (Army), James Richardson Jr. (Army), Charlie Jeran Arnold (Marine Corps), James Eddie Thomas (Army), Kenneth Michael Smith (Air Force), Bennie Lawson (Army), Robert L. Downing (Army), Joseph Earl Hobbs (Air Force), Alton L. Woodard (Army), Michael Langley Davis (Air Force), Rudolph Wallace Walker (Air Force), Lonnie J. Bonnam Jr. (Army) and Robert Eugene Alexander (Army).

“We’re doing this last roll call because it’s important to recognize the sacrifice of our veterans and their loved ones,” said interim VA Medical Center Director David S. Reesman. “We are thankful for their service and we’re here today to honor veterans and their families. These type of events are never easy, but it’s important to remember them and the sacrifices they have made.” 

Chaplain Angelika Mitchell prayed that those who had passed away had, “served this country with honor.”

“Those veterans fought a good fight for a just cause,” Mitchell said.

Chaplain Constance Arthur said it was important to remember the veterans in the VA’s service area.

“These veterans have transitioned between Jan. 1 and June 30,” Arthur said. “I express my condolences to the family here. We will never forget the veterans who gave their lives defending our freedoms. Today, we remember our beloved veterans who heard the call to serve and protect America.”

Arthur told the family that God is walking alongside them through their loss.

“Your God will see you through,” Arthur said. “We care about you and your spiritual well-being. We will aid in bringing healing. If you are in need, we are here to help. Look for those people who will bring you help and safety. I encourage you to think of the good times and cherish the moments you have spent with your veteran. As long as we cherish their memory, they will never be forgotten.”