Sponsors needed for KIA veterans
By Donnie A. Lucas
The names of 13 veterans who were killed in action have not been added to the list on the veterans stone memorials on the courthouse square, according to Mary Kay O’Connor, who has been researching names of deceased veterans who are not included on the monument.
She is now seeking sponsors for a list of 13 county servicemen killed in action, mostly during World War II, that have never been added to the monument.
“These names need to be on there, especially since they were killed in action,” O’Connor said. “I’m looking for sponsors to help with the expense. Most of them do not have family members in Albany anymore.”
The cost of adding a name is $95, and while O’Connor has some funds to use as “scholarships” to assist family members who have had loved ones pass away, she does not have the funds to add all 13 names.
Family members or friends have contacted O’Connor about five other more recently deceased servicemen, but the list of 13 KIA veterans is an oversight that she hopes can be corrected in time for Memorial Day on May 29.
Anyone who would like to sponsor one or more names on the KIA list, along with others who need to add a family member or friend, can contact O’Connor at 325-660-2498. Proof of military service is required for veterans not on the KIA list.
The list of those killed in action includes John L. Benton, Thomas E. Carter, John Forgey, Wylie R. Green, Halmyth C. Reese, Orville Frazier, John M. Goodman, Mack Isbell, Gene Mauldin, Jack Overby, Curtis Shepherd, Victor Lee Layne, and Darsey Looney.
Memorial Day Service
The Albany Lions Club will host the annual Memorial Day service on Monday, May 29 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Aztec Theater.
This is the fourth year the club has sponsored the service.
Megan Ledbetter will sing at the event, accompanied by Sandy Abel, and local veteran Matthew Sanchez, who moved to Albany last summer, will be the speaker. Veteran Daniel Key will play Taps at the conclusion of the event.
There will be a tribute presented for each branch of the military as part of the program.
