About The Lee County ledger. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1978-current | View Entire Issue (March 27, 2019)
The Lee County Ledger, Wednesday, March 27, 2019, Page 7A Bobby Wilson Veteran Of The Month By Sadie Quinn It was 1952, America was involved in the Korean Conflict. Bobby Wilson had four broth- Texas for Mechani cal School. He went to Shepherd Air Force Base for tech/training school where he was he served on a support team that refueled the jets. He was sent to Bur- muda where the B-29 ers in military service, assigned of which one was in to work Korea. on B-29 Bobby Wilson was airplanes born in Ohio and when which he was two years old, he were moved to West Virginia, obsolete about 12 miles from Huntington, WV. He finished high school while he was 18. One day while Bobby and a buddy were walking down road, they looked at each other and said “lets join the Air Force.” He was willing to join and go wherever they sent him. However, Bob by Wilson explained that his parents were a little shocked. At his age, his parents had to sign for him to join in 1952. He enlisted in Hun tington, WV and was sent to Beckly West Virginia for examination before going to Elmyra New York for Basic Training at Sampson Air Force Base. After basic training, he was sent to Topeka Kansas. There he was assigned to stock re cords because he could type. He learned of an opening in Witcha Falls bombers that were recondi tioned to be used to refuel the jets. Bobby Wilson was given an option of bases and chose the one closest to his home - Lockburn Air Force base in Columbus, Ohio. There, he was able to hitch hike back to West Virginia on weekends. After a short time, he received orders to go to Turner Field in Albany, Georgia. He was assigned to worked on the flight line for B-29’s. Turner Field Base had F-84 Thirds and F-84 F’s. Although, he did not go to Korea, Bobby Wilson dressed in period clothes for the Leesburg Centinial Celebration. refueled the jets in the air. He was then sent back to Turner Field Later, he was assigned to Anchorage, Alaska for a little more than two months and then back to Turner Field. Bobby Wilson served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He served four years and was discharged in June 1956 as an airman first class which is equivalent to a Buck Sergeant with three stripes. He explained that when in service, you go where they say and do what they say. While still in service, he went to Chehaw Park with some friends where he met his future wife, Mary Bridges, of Albany. They only knew each other a couple weeks before they were married. He said that the base chaplain would not okay it because he was 20 she was only 18. With a smile, he said they are still together. After service, he went back to West Virginia for short period of time. While there, two of their children, Bobby and Jimmy were born. There daughter, Julie was born here. While in Albany, he enrolled in Perry Busi ness school to become an accountant. He worked at night running the projector at Slappey Drive In Theaterand Capital Drive In The ater. About the time, he completed the account ing course, he was employed to take care of books at Flint Beverage Company. One day as he came through Leesburg on their way back from West Virginia and saw three vacant new houses on Walnut Street. He purchased one of the new houses and still lives in it. In 1965, they moved to Leesburg. He said J.M. Rhodes told him “Bob Wilson, I’ve been knowing these folks a long time. I don’t know if they will let you in”. He proved that state ment wrong when he was elected to the Leesburg City Council in 1974. He served on the board of Education from 1976 to 1985. This was during the time of the centennial in Lee County when the men in town grew breards and dressed for the centenial. Jack Bell, Chairman of the County Commission, appointed him to serve on the SWGA planning and Development Coun cil and SWGA Com munity Action Agency whe is headquartered in Moultrie. Bobby Wilson is a member of first Baptist Church Leesburg. He is a servant not only to God and country but also to community in which he lives. Bobby Wilson said that every since being elected to the city coun cil, he tried to represent the people of Leesburg the best that he can. He stressed that he is hon est, forthright and open. Being on the council has not always been easy. He said sometimes it like going against the cur rent, but being open and honest is the only way to be with people. His wife, Mary, retired from her position with the county government after many years. He retired as an accountant with Llint Beverage after 38 years of service. Walk A Mile In Her Shoes April 27 PYR#MID ROOFING We Keep, You Coveted' CaM24/7 229-352-7672 Free Estimates Free Color Change Calling all men and women even the kids, Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Saturday, April 27. Walk A Mile In Her Shoes is a one mile walk to end sexual violence and physical abuse and will benefit the Lilly Pad in Albany.. The walk will be held at Deerfield Upper Cam pus located at 2500 Not tingham Way in Albany. There will a Superhero Pun Run where the kids will race with their favorite superheroes to see who is the fastest. Registration for the walk will begin at 10:00 abd the walk will start at 11:00 a.m. Walkers will receive a Walk A Fire and Emergency Services Responds To 152 Calls Lee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to 152 calls during the week of March 17 - 23, 2019. EMS Responses EMS responded to five calls for abdominal pain/ problems. EMS responded to five calls for breathing prob lems. EMS responded to two calls for cardiac arrest. EMS responded to six calls for chest pain (non- traumatic). EMS responded to two calls for convulsions/sei zure. EMS responded to 15 calls for fall victims. EMS responded to 16 calls for fire standby. EMS responded to two calls for heart problems. EMS responded to one call for industrial acci dent. EMS responded to one call for ingestion/poison ing.. EMS responded to two calls for medical alarm. EMS responded to three calls for psychiatric problem. EMS responded to 18 calls for sick person. EMS responded to two calls for stab/gunshot wounds. EMS responded to two calls for standby. EMS responded to 12 calls for traffic accident MVA EMS responded to four calls for transfer/interfa cility. EMS responded to four calls for unconscious/ fainting. EMS responded to two calls for unknown prob lem man down. EMS responded to one call for well person check. EMS made 105 calls for the week. Fire Responses Fire department re sponded to six calls for activated alarms. Fire department re sponded to six calls for grass fires. Fire department re sponded to two calls for controlled burns. Fire department re sponded to four calls for MVC. Fire department re sponded to 28 calls to assist EMS. Fire department re sponded to one miscella neous call. Fire department re sponded to 47 fire calls during the week. Mile t-shirt and a “swag bag” full of goodies. The children (superhe roes) will receive their very own capes. The walkers are to collect sponsorships. Money and form are to be tuned in at the event. The reg istration fee for children is $10. Children will not complete the sponsor ship tracker. The fun run will take place at 10:45 a.m. For additional infor mation on the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event, contact the Lilly Pad at 229-435-0074. RESTORATIONS Tub, Tile & More Refinishers • Counter Tops • ClawfootTubs • Tile Installation Fiberglass Showers • Pool Steps • Tub and Tile Repairs www.restorationstubandtile.com 229-575-6760 Finnicum MOTOR COMPANY “ Where a handshake still means something ” Quality pre-owned vehicles at affordable prices! Finnicummotorc ompany.com 229-446-9960 Community Calendar Leesburg City Council will meet Tuesday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Leesburg City Hall. Lee County - Leesburg - Smithville Planning Commission will meet Thursday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the T. Page Tharp Governmental Building. Opal Cannon Auditorium, 102 Starksville Avenue North, Leesburg. Lee County Board of Education will meet Mon day, April 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Board of Education office building located at 126 Starksville Ave. in Leesburg for their business meeting. Lee County Commissioners will meet Tuesday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the T. Page Tharp Governmental Building, Opal Cannon Auditorium, 102 Starksville Avenue North, Leesburg. Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) will meet Thursday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. at Quickie Restaurant, 1906 N. Slappey Blvd. in Albany. All are welcome. FMI, call Ed @ 229-343-0299. Veterans join the camaraderie of fellow veterans at the Leesburg American Legion Post 182 the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at J&E Restaurant on Walnut Ave. in Leesburg. The Albany Amateur Radio Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Avalon United Methodist Church, Albany (rear of the church). Albany Shrine Club business meeting is the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Ladies Night is the third Saturday at 7 p.m. Cub Scout Pack 210 meets at Leesburg United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Con tact Stephen at 229-376-1754. ^trawberrfty Pickin’ Tima! You Pick or We Pick! Our field is full of huge delicious fresh strawberries! MARK’S MELON PATCH (9 Miles past Albany Mall on 82 West) OPEN 9-7 DAILY 229-698-4750 Try our homemade strawberry and vanilla ice cream! “Ping”, He Finally Hits The Ball! Did You Hear It? Ralph Jackson will help make sure you do! TO/iy (Y hoose Ralph Jackson? Experience • Service • Pricing Trust, Honesty, & Integrity OPEN MON.-THURS. 8:30am-4:30pm; FRI. 8:30am-3:00pm Ralph Jackson Hearing Aid Services, Inc. Albany & Southwest Georgia’s Most Experienced Hearing Aid Provider-Since 1966! 2015 Palmyra Rd., Albany www.ralphjacksonhearingaidservice.com ■ £ Im , UU53 SoundChoice ;/A>
