On November 14th the Museum was the setting for a Pickens County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution event honoring all U.S. Veterans for their service to our country. The guest speaker was Captain Kevin McMahon, Operations Officer for the 14th Security Forces Squadron at the Columbus Air Force Base. Captain McMahon who had recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq presented a slide show and answered questions from the audience.

Preceding Captain McMahon’s presentation, Elizabeth Rice announced the winners of the High School Veteran’s Day Essay Contest which was open to all 9th-12th grade students in Pickens County. The essay theme “The Price of Peace” was required to be not less than 400 words in length. Schools with more than 20 entries would receive $50 and Gordo High School was announced as the winner.

Museum Executive Director Ann Kirksey and Board of Directors members Carl Brooks and Elizabeth Rice will present checks to the winners after Thanksgiving. Congratulations to the following students:

• County Winner: Logan McCool, Gordo High School
• Gordo High School: (1st Place) Elliot McDaniel (2nd Place) Stacy Reece (3rd Place) Kristyn Irvin
• Aliceville High School: (1st Place) Shaniqua Spruill
• Pickens Academy: (1st Place) Laci Kyles (2nd Place) Shane Nance (3rd Place) Judson Smith

This linked article is by Dr. Jimmy Gentry’s first cousin, David Griffin who was a history professor at the University of West Georgia. This is the first of three articles he is submitting to The Patrick Henry ORATOR, a quarterly publication of the Henry County Historical Group.