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Capt. Freeman a true hero, patriot
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Dear Editor

 

On Wednesday afternoon many of us lined highways 17 and 144 to honor the homecoming of Capt. Matt Freeman. It was a homecoming that brought emotions of grief and pain for his family and those of us who lined the highways. Beyond that was a feeling of pride in our hometown hero who made the ultimate sacrifice of his life for our freedoms and the American way of life. There was also a sense of pride in seeing such large numbers lining the way to the funeral home.

Those of us who served in one of the branches of our military remember the oath we took and that Matt also took, "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign or domestic..." Matt gave his life in obedience to that oath.

We hear Matt described as a patriot and a hero. The term patriot is defined as a person who loves and loyally supports his country. Matt was a true patriot and that patriotism was put to the test and he gave all. Matt was the embodiment of the Marine Corps motto "Semper Fidelis" -Always Faithful.

The term hero is a term that express’s "Admiration for bravery, great deeds or noble service". Matt exhibited all the attributes of a hero to his hometown and all America.

Finally the phrase, "the ultimate sacrifice," the giving of one’s life for a cause greater than self. The word sacrifice in it’s simplest form is the giving up of something of value in exchange for something of greater value. Matt made that sacrifice and his mom and dad, Lisa and Gary, his wife Theresa, his sisters Ginny and Marybeth and other family members participated in that sacrifice as well. The Freeman family is an inspiration to all of us with three generations of military service to our country.

Our heartfelt sympathy and gratitude goes out to his family who we all love and are so justly proud to have as a part of our community.

 

 

Jimmy Burnsed, Chairman Bryan County Board of Commissioners

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Showing gratitude for service
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Dear editor: Another election cycle is finally over and the voters of Bryan County have spoken. We will have three new county commissioners in January 2011.
My congratulations go out to Jimmy Henderson of District 5, Carter Infinger of District 4 and Wade Price of District 2. I look forward to working with them as we continue to take care of the business of the county.
All three races were contested, which gave the voters a choice of who they wanted as their commissioner. Those who did not prevail in this election are to be applauded for offering themselves as candidates.
Our county owes a debt of gratitude to retiring commissioners Rick Gardner with eight years of service, Blondean Newman with eight years of service as a commissioner and 30 years as tax commissioner, and Toby Roberts with 18 years on the county commission.
These three spent many hours establishing policies and procedures for our county government and many meetings with state and local officials to achieve the best possible outcomes regarding our county on numerous issues. Their many years of experience will be sorely missed.
I well remember the first time I ran for public office and lost. Sometimes those who are not elected are the winners because they don’t have to go to all the meetings – that is said with tongue in cheek, of course.
After my loss, someone sent me the following quotation from President Theodore Roosevelt, which I keep on the wall in my office:
“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
And my wish for all the citizens of Bryan County is to have a truly blessed Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year’s.

Jimmy Burnsed
Chairman
Board of commissioners

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