About The Georgia post. (Knoxville, Crawford County, Ga.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 2013)
Page 3 Thursday, April 25, 2013 THE GEORGIA POST &THE BYRON BUZZ Assault On Military Benefits For the most part, America has stood (and is standing) behind the Military contin gent in purpose, loyalty, and patriotism! Thus far, this also includes the pay scales, GI Bill, Academic possibili ties, and recognition of feats ’’above and beyond the call of duty”. While this quote may well be a ’’stretch” (for duty covers a multitude of’’peril ous points”), the respect and regard for our Armed Forces has been a welcome trend in recent years. And rightly so, for without our regimented members continuously de ploying on dangerous Mis sions, liberties (as we know them) would have left the scene long ago! But alas, this commendable trend has ’’sprung a leak”! Columnist Bill McClellan of the St Louis Post Dis patch has decided to chal lenge the ’’role and record” of those in uniform. Himself a veteran of the Vietnam War (and who’s father served in WW2); it would appear that he has some ax to grind; for he states that ’’not every veteran is a hero”! His obnoxious statements have met with firm words by a host of voices that are very much aware of what our Forces have been sub jected to! McClellan’s thunder has insisted that we render too much ”honor and money” to returning warriors-even for funerals for those who served. Of all things; he cites ’’funds being used for bugle taps” as being wasteful and unneces sary. While every intelligent citizen is aware that things could be better; I am not ready to listen to disgruntled para sites ’’trouble the waters” of military personnel who have sacrificed security, monetary values, and time with families- -year after year-that oppor tunists who have ’’fleeced their nation”, can register a ridicu lous complaint! Having spent a twenty year stint, sailing the seas- absent from my loved ones for months and years on end-at a pay scale far below that of ci vilian counterparts—and hours that exceed every civilian task- -I am incensed that anyone should single out ”a deserved allowance” for the time spent in battlefronts—regardless of what specific job they held!! Every reader should keep in mind, that duty status for most military posts dictate that ’’one is firmly entrenched ” (24-7), twice a week-and more im portantly, for those in combat zones-the clock never really slows! Regardless of what is said, every one who goes and gives with the Military are heroes, and worthy of our best gifts. In a day when budgets are strained, and while we keep spending millions on ’’abso lutely senseless projects”, let us pray that necessary finance, along with proper render Ryan Jackson, a senior French horn player at PCHS and Gerkevia Freeman, a junior clarinetist per formed with the 2013 South Georgia Region Honor Band on Saturday, April ll-13th at Valdosta State University . The ensemble consist of outstanding high school band students from Central and South Georgia high schools. Students were selected for this prestigious ensemble based upon their District Honor Band audition scores. Ryan and Gerkevia spent two days practicing with the ensemble on the Valdosta State campus. The Honor Band presented a concert for the general public on April 13th for the general public. The ensemble was guest conducted by Dr. Paul Popeil, Director of Bands at the Univer sity of Kansas. This is Ryan and Gerkevia’s third All -Star band performance. Both students performed in the District XI Honor Band and the UGA Honor Band this semester. The PCHS Band is directed by Mr. Darren Johnson. ■nre ’G’ factor Daniel W. Gatlyn, USN Ret., Minister/ Journalist ings of standards, are never minimized at the whims of un grateful human beings! Only idiots long for war; but it has been a necessary ingredient of life! We will go-we will fight-and we will preserve the freedoms-even for those who ’’whimper” with every rising of the sun!! Not the best commentary-but it is ”on the mark”! Stand with our troops!! Copeland Sentenced For Rape Daniel Kelly Copeland, 29, of Fort Valley, was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by lifetime probation in the Bibb County Superior Court, for raping and molesting an eight-year-old girl. He pled guilty to rape and four counts of aggravated child molesta tion at his hearing and even cried during parts and sobbed saying he was ’’sorry”. He is not eligible for parole and when released will be classi fied as a sex offender. The unspeakable acts took place from Sept. 1,2011 and Jan. 18,2012. Copeland’s father went to authorities in January of last year about his son admitting having inappro priate relations with children, according to the Bibb County prosecutor. Copeland told authorities he and his girlfriend, Amanda Di anne Arellano, started doing drugs in September 2011 and the drugs made them ’’espe cially sexual”. At that time, Copeland says he and his girlfirend started performing sex acts in front of the eight year-old. The girlfriend helped the girl perform sex acts with Copeland and held her down while he had sex with her ac cording to reports. The incidents occured at resi dences in Bibb and Crawford counties. Arellano lived in Knoxville prior to her arrest. She is charged with rape and four counts of aggravated child molestation and is being held at the Bibb County jail. Because of his plea, Copeland must testify in her case. The children are getting therapy. The Medical Center of Peach County Part of Central Georgia I lealth System An Auxiliary of Volunteers is being created to support the new Medical Center of Peach County, which will open this summer. If you are interested in joining the Auxiliary, please call (478) 825-8691 Ext. 318 The ICU Ministry provides hope to others in need. Handmade bags are delivered to area hospital waiting rooms with toiletry items, magazines, etc. for the family. Items for bags are always needed. If you are interested in volunteering or donating supplies call Para at 214-5560. Icukits.blog- spot.com. oricukits@gmail.com. ICU Survival Kits Ministry. Come out and help assemble bags, meets every second and fourth Thursday at the Byron Depot. Times are from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.. Next meeting date will be April 25. Toddler Tales at Byron Public Library, Wednesdays 11 a.m. 18 months to 3 years. Wacky Wednes day every first Wed. of the the month for 4-7 years old. *AII children 4 years and younger must be accompanied by a caregiver, who must remain with the child during their visit. Byron Pub lic Library 105 Church St. Byron, GA 31008 478-956-2200. Free ABE and GED classes every Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m., on Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Adult Education Center, 200 Mo seley Road, Byron. Orientation is on Monday from 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. For more information call 478-956- 7621. The Comforting Quilters provide quilts to those in hospice and others in need. The CQ meets the third Sat urday of each month at 200 E. Heri tage St., downtown Byron, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information contact Julie at 478-978-0842 or comforting- quilters@gmail.com. The Compassionate Friends of Middle Georgia, Supporting Fam ily After a Child Dies, local chapter meets the 4th Thursday of each month at Byron United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. For information call Chapter Leader Karla Chidester (478) 954-4592 or visit www.compas- sionatefriends.org Visit Georgia Bob’s and support our schools. Tell them you repre sent the school PCHS night is first Tuesday of each month. BES night is the first Thursday of every month. BMS night is the second Thursday of every month. Art Classes are offered at The By ron Welcome Center on Tuesdays and Saturdays each month. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced artist there is something for you. Call the Welcome Center at 478-956-2409 for more information on class times and pricing. Sign up now for Camp Vinson Valley Summer Day Camp, an outreach ministry of Byron United Methodist Church forages 7-12. Call 478-956-5717 for more information. Community Day Celebraton by P.A.L.M.S. Medical Transport, April 20th, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 102 Church St., Byron. Food, music, games free health checks and you can donate blood to the American Red Cross. Peach County Relay for Life, April 26th, Byron Elementary School. Survivor Reception at 6 p.m. in gym. Opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. and Survivor and Caregiver walk begins at 7:15 p.m. The Relay only goes until 2 a.m. this year. Luminaria Ceremony at 10 p.m. For more information call 478-743-6392. Confederate Memorial Day Re-enactment, April 27th, 1:15 p.m.Byron Cemetery sponsored by Byron Area Historical Society. To register for the AHA CPR or First Aid Classes contact the Advanced and Basic Life Support Training Center at 478-474-3348. Prepayment and pre-registration required. Upon successful comple tion of a class, a card valid for two years will be issued. Check www. thewellnesscentermacon.com for more information. 12.5K Peach Road Race brought to you by the Medical Center of Peach County, Saturday, May 18th. An inaugural event from old hospital in Fort Valley to new location in Byron. Race begins at 7:30 a.m., 601 Blue Bird Blvd., Fort Valley. Transportation provided back to site if needed. One mile Peach Stroll will begin at new hospital, 1960 G. Hwy. 247 Con nector, Byron, GA. at 8 a.m. Awards will be given to Top 3 Overall, 1st Master, & 5 year age groups from 10 & Under through 75+. Register on-line at www.peachregional.org. Central Georgia Autism Sup port Group meets monthly and is sponsored by the Right On Track Pediatric Therapy Program, a ser vice of The Children’s Hospital at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Contact Melanie Peacock Shell, SLP at 478-633-8088 or visit www. CentralGAAutism.org 5th Annual Kol & Goldfish Show, May 17-19, Georgia National Fair grounds, Heritage Hall. Free admis sion to general public. The Middle Georgia Koi Society will present the show featuring koi and fancy goldfish display tanks, vendor booths and seminars. Be there to learn about the fascinating and popular hobby while viewing the best show fish in the southeast. Purchase quality koi and goldfish, pond supplies, fish food and other items at show prices. For more information visit www.middlegakoi- society or call show chairman Jeb Stewart at 478-333-3495. Xtreme Monster Madness May 31- June 1, Middle Georgia Raceway, Byron. The second reunion of the 4th Missile Battallion 61st Artillery is being held at the Denny’s Restaurant Banquet Room in Byron, September 14, 1-4 p.m. Meals are pay as you go. Con tact one of the following by Septem ber 1, 2013 if you plan to attend so we can have an accurate head count: Ernest Cooling 478-955-8850 or Jack Shurling 478-552-9337. GOVERNMENT & CLUBS: - Al-Anon meets Mondays, 11 a.m. at old Byron School. For information call 956-5637. -PC Board of Education meets first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.; Study session last Tuesday of month, 6 p.m. PC Tax Assessors meet first Thurs day of each month, 6 p.m. -Byron Lions Club, first and third Thursday, 7 p.m. -Byron City Council, second Monday, 6 p.m. -PC Commission, second Tuesday, 6 p.m. -PC Development Authority, third Thursday, 8 a.m. -PC Water & Sewage Authority, third Monday, 6 p.m. -Byron Rotary Club, every Wednesday, 8 a.m., Masonic Lodge Hall. -Byron Tax Office, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:304:30 p.m. Byron Municipal Complex CHRIS - Continued From Front Page things you’ve given to me...” These things included re spect, compassion, patience, stubbornness, hard work, dreams, individual thought, bad handwriting, disorga nization, love, sarcasm, freckles and Skynyrd. Para says her son is a great guy, son, husband and father. ”He has a great respect for women and I think he did notice me struggle because he treats his wife like a queen.” She continued, ”My great est accomplishment is my son. I hope he realizes how much I love him. He has been making me proud for so long. I am proud of what he’s accomplished with his career path but I would be just as proud if he had an other career even if he drove a garbage truck, or was a cook at a restaurant.” She says she is most proud of him as a individual. ”He’s a great son but he is an awesome husband and an exceptional daddy and that is the greatest joy since his father was not the greatest role model and hasn’t been in his life for over 14 years now.” Para married Bobby Vin son on November 18, 2000 and Chris considers him his dad. Besides preaching the gospel, Chris enjoys pla ing guitar, watching football and spending time with his family. ”I’d like to get into gardening, but I’m not sure I have the patience for it.” Byron Buzz Sudoku SOLUTION ON PAGE 3 S L ) D O K U you could save 28% Call 1-86>6>-929-9071 to see how much you could sove on cor insurance. 'Notioool overage onnool savings based Oft data | | from customers who wported savings by switching lo Esuronce b«tw«er» 12/1/11 and 4/30/12 C ?OI2 Cwonct mwm Xkm M Mngnnicwnwt C*U»<w«OGt)r#W On /llisialc COfDpOny 9 7 2 4 1 4 3 8 4 9 7 1 5 8 1 7 4 3 4 6 3 8 4 4 1 4 8 7 6 2 C StatePoint Media Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all digits 1 through 9.
