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6A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com
Wednesday, June 7,2023
Community gathers to observe Memorial Day
By Erica Jones
ejones@dawsonnews.com
On Monday May 29, members of
the Dawson County community gath
ered at Veterans Memorial Park to
take part in the annual Memorial Day
ceremony hosted by the Veterans
Affairs of Dawson County (VADC).
The ceremony included the posting
of the colors and of the flags for each
of the nation’s branches of the mili
tary, an explanation of each of the
items set up on the symbolic “miss
ing man table”, and remarks by
VADC President Rob Wiley and
Georgia State Representative Will
Wade.
The ceremony started off with the
raising of the national colors by
members of Dawson County High
School’s JROTC program, who also
led those in attendance in the Pledge
of Allegiance and the National
Anthem. JROTC members also
raised flags for each of the five
branches of the military, taking the
time to recognize and remember
those who have served in the United
States Army, Marine Corps, Navy,
Air Force and Coast Guard.
The “missing man table”, which
was explained by another of the
members of the DCHS JROTC pro
gram, was fdled with symbolism to
honor those who fought for their
country but never returned home.
These symbols included a white
tablecloth to symbolize the purity of
the intentions of those who have
fought to defend their country, a sin
gle rose to symbolize the loved ones
of those who have yet to return
home, a plate containing a lemon and
salt to symbolize the bitter fates of
those not brought home and the tears
of their families and a yellow ribbon
to symbolize those awaiting their
loved ones’ return.
During his remarks, Wade spoke
about his grandfather, who served in
the army, in the air corps and later in
the army air corps, which would
become the United States Air Force.
“I have an opportunity every once
in a while to head up to Washington
D.C. and I don’t go to go see politi
cians or walk the halls of Congress; I
go to the 639-acre tract of land called
Arlington National Cemetery where
my grandfather is laid to rest,” Wade
said. “To me, that’s what Memorial
Day is about: remembering those that
were willing to give their lives to
protect our future.”
The ceremony ended with a
moment of silence and a rendition of
“Taps”.
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Photos by Erica Jones Dawson County News
Members of the DCHS JROTC program place memorial wreaths in front of the flags representing the five branches of
the U.S. military during the Veterans Affairs of Dawson County's annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 29.
Members of the DCHS JROTC program raise the
national flag during the Veterans Affairs of Dawson
County's annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 29.
A member of the DCHS JROTC program explains the sym
bols on the "missing man table" during the Veterans Affairs
ceremony on May 29.
VADC President Rob Wiley addresses attendees during the
Veterans Affairs of Dawson County's annual Memorial Day
ceremony on May 29.
University of North Georgia names Shannon as new president
By Erica Jones
ejones@dawsonnews.com
The University of North
Georgia (UNG) officially has a
new president, Dr. Michael P.
“Mike” Shannon.
According to a press release by
the University System of Georgia
(USG), on June 1 the system’s
Board of Regents named
Shannon as the new president of
UNG, effective July 1. Shannon
will take over the role from
Bonita Jacobs, who has led UNG
since 2011 and will retire this
month.
“UNG plays a unique role
within the system. It has multiple
campuses offering everything
from associate degrees to gradu
ate-level programs, while at the
same time serves as the state’s
Military College of Georgia and
one of only six
senior military
colleges in the
nation,” USG
Chancellor
Sonny Perdue
said in the
release. “With
Mike, we have a
leader who
exemplifies USG’s mission of
teaching, research and service
given his deep experience in both
the military and in higher educa
tion — the very kind of experi
ence that will serve the unique
ness of UNG well. We’re grateful
to Dr. Jacobs for her trailblazing
leadership and look forward to
welcoming Mike to his new role
as president.”
Shannon is a retired U.S. Army
officer and currently serves as the
interim executive vice president
for administration and finance
and the interim chief business
officer at Georgia Tech. Prior to
his interim role, he served as
Georgia Tech’s vice president and
deputy chief business officer.
“I’m thrilled to serve as the
president of the University of
North Georgia,” Shannon said in
the release. “The history, the tra
dition and the prestige of UNG,
150 years in the making, are
incredibly powerful. Through its
academic programs, UNG drives
the region’s economy and sup
ports Georgia’s emerging econo
my. As our state’s talent needs
continue to increase, UNG will
continue to be called upon.”
Shannon is a first-generation
college graduate and was com
missioned through Army ROTC.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in
aerospace engineering and a mas
ter’s degree in aeronautical sci
ence from Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University in
Daytona Beach, Florida, as well
as a master’s degree in health
physics and a Ph.D. in nuclear
and radiological engineering
from Georgia Tech.
Shannon served as a commis
sioned officer in the U.S. Army
for 20 years before retiring in
2015 with the rank of lieutenant
colonel. After his operational
Army service as an infantry and
signal corps officer with assign
ments in the 82nd Airborne
Division, the 35th Signal Brigade
and the 2nd Infantry Division, he
was selected to serve as a U.S.
Army Nuclear and
Counterproliferation officer and
provided leadership and technical
and operational expertise to the
U.S. Department of Defense for
over 10 years.
“As a career Army officer, I
witnessed the national impact of
UNG through its Senior Military
College and the highly talented
Army officers it produces,”
Shannon said in the release.
“Now, more than ever, UNG has
critical roles to play. Our state
and our nation are counting on
UNG to continue to deliver. I
look forward to teaming with the
entire UNG community to make
a difference for Georgia and
America. Go Nighthawks!”
Shannon has served in numer
ous faculty, leadership and advi
sory roles, serves on numerous
boards and continues to serve vet-
erans’ causes. He is an active
member of his church and a
coach for multiple local youth
sports programs, and he and his
wife Jessica have four children.
I Sr
Shannon
'Seamless Summer' program
provides kids with free meals
This June and July, the Dawson County School System
is once again offering a chance for local children to
receive free, nutritious meals throughout the summer.
According to information posted by the school system,
this year there will be three convenient summer meals
sites for local families to pick up their meals from during
the summer weeks.
Meals will be available at Riverview Elementary School
(RES) from June 5 through 16, Dawson County Middle
School (DCMS) from June 5 through 23 and Dawson
County High School (DCHS) from May 30 to July 26. No
meals will be served July 3 through 7.
RES and DCMS will have meals available from 11:30
a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during each of
their scheduled days, and DCHS will have meals available
from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
during its scheduled days.
No paperwork is necessary to receive meals, and all
children are eligible to receive them. Children must be 18
or under to receive free meals, and meals will be available
for family members over 18 for only $3.75.
For more information about the school system’s sum
mer feeding program, including a menu of the nutritious
meals the schools will be serving each day, go to https://
www.dawsoncountyschools.org/departments/nutrition/
summer_feeding_program?fbclid=IwAR3C9a-TWHI64b
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For any further questions, contact School Nutrition
Director Scott Richardson at 706-265-3246 ext. 1006.
Erica Jones
Dawson County Humane Society
a no kill shelter
706-265-9160
Doggie Spotlight
Meet Moon!
This big boy is very sweet, outgoing, and athletic. He enjoys going
on long walks and playing outside. He is a big boy but the big
gest sweetheart and is a gentle giant. A house with a high fence is
recommended due to his ability to get over the most fences. Come
schedule a meet and greet to see if he is the perfect fit for you!
Moon is two years old and weighs 80 pounds.
Moon
For more information contact the 706-265-9160 | 633 Martin Rd, Dawsonville
Dawson County Humane Society Adjacent to the Rock Creek Sports Complex
Visit our RESALE SHOP & BOUTIQUE
Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | 54 S. Lumpkin Campground Rd.
All proceeds benefits
the Humane Society
Bradley M. Maple
CPA, PC
706-216-2362
2390 Thompson Rd • Ste 100
Dawsonville
Dawsonville
Veterinary
Hospital
706-265-8381
ANH Collision
Specialists
706-216-0992
103 Industrial Park Road,
Dawsonville