Newspaper Page Text
Page 2A - Pike County Journal Reporter - Wednesday, November 22, 2023
JOHN ELLIS: Honored for local, military service
FROM PAGE ONE
Once again, he was in
charge of the ambulance
corps. In April of 1955,
John was in a serious au
tomobile accident which
left him with many surger
ies and lifetime medical
disabilities. His last duty
was a Ward Master in
charge of and supervisor
of one of the two hospital
surgery wards.
After serving six years,
three months and 20
days - of which 3 years
and six months were
overseas - Staff Sergeant
Ellis was honorably
discharged from the Air
Force on Aug. 12. For his
service, he earned the
National Defense Service
Medal for his service dur
ing the Korean War, Army
Good Conduct Medal
with two knots, repre
senting two three-year
periods of good conduct
and the Cold War Victory
Medal for his service dur
ing the Cold War.
After his service, John
worked for Delta Airlines
as a mechanic, station
agent and customer ser
vice agent. After 34 years,
in 1991, John retired from
Delta Airlines.
On the side, John
repaired woodwind and
brass musical instru
ments for more than 50
years - which he contin
ued after his Delta retire
ment. He started out
working in his basement,
then built a shop in his
backyard.
John also continued
to play in various bands
that played big band and
roaring 20s music with
the Southern Aires, South
Metro Concert Band,
Peachtree Jazz Addition
and Peachtree Wind
Community Concert
Band. John retired from
playing a few years ago.
John volunteers much
of his current time report
ing and taking photos for
the Pike County Journal
Reporter. He has volun
teered working for the
paper for more than 10
years, with his first as
signment covering the
2013 Concord Jubilee. He
is a regular attendee and
volunteers at the St Peter
of the Rock Church lo
cated in The Rock, GA. He
provides music for church
services, as well as per
forming with the Psalms
and Hymnal Bands. John
also volunteers taking
photos for the church.
John is a member of
the Experiment Aircraft
Association, Chapter 468
of the Peachtree Aero
drome in Williamson, GA.
He is highly supportive of
the Ron Alexander Youth
Aviation Program. John is
a lifetime member of the
Disabled American Veter
ans for over 20 years.
John joined the
American Fegion in 2012.
He has supported Post
197 with his expertise in
photography and writing
and attended and report
ed on Post community
patriotic and ceremonial
events. He submitted the
photos to the Pike Coun
ty Journal Reporter, and
often wrote the articles.
His articles in the paper
helped promote the Pike
County American Fegion
Post 197 and all the com
munity events it hosts.
His photos are also used
for the Post 197 annual
history reports.
As you have read, not
only is John a Korean War
era Veteran at the age of
90, he is a highly active
veteran, Pike County
citizen and an example for
other veterans to emulate.
Unfortunately this past
August, John suffered a
stroke and he continues
to recover. There are not
too many citizens and vet
erans of John’s age who
do what he has done for
their nation, county and
community.
SPECIAL PHOTO
John Ellis spent the last 10 years taking photos for the Pike
County Journal Reporter and will be very missed around the
newspaper office. He was a fast learner and went from only
taking photos to providing wonderful stories and captions.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN LEGION POST 197
Post 197 commander Paul Chatterton announces John
Ellis as the 2023 Veteran of the Year for Pike County.
VETERAN OF YEAR:
Supported by Post 197
FROM PAGE ONE
For the past 13
years, Todd Childs who
teaches social stud
ies at the Pike County
Middle School had
sponsored the Pike
County Veteran of the
Year program. Every
year prior to Veterans
Day, he would adver
tise for nomination
submissions, collect
submitted nomina
tions, evaluate submis
sions through a selec
tion board, select the
awardee and present
the award. The criteria
for the award embraces
the veteran’s service
during and after the
veteran’s years in the
military and includes
volunteerism in local
community organiza
tions as well as sup
porting fellow veterans
and active-duty mili
tary.
“This year, Todd
asked Post 197 if it
would take over and
sponsor this program.
Being that this truly is
a great program, and
falls in line with Post
197’s current veteran
and community pro
grams, the Post gladly
accepted and will
incorporate all Mr.
Childs’ expertise in
continuing with this
great Pike County pro
gram that he initiated,”
said Richardson.
PCHS senior Jacob Case enlists with Marines
Jacob Case enlisted
in the U.S. Marines as a
Pike County High School
senior and was honored
at a special signing cer
emony Oct. 20.
In addition to family
and his parents, Angela
and Caleb Case, he was
joined by friends and Ma
rine recruiters. American
Fegion Post 197 com
mander Paul Chatterton
presented the family with
a certificate. Jacob Case
was part of JROTC for
three years and he will
be honored at graduation
as are all enlistees. He is
currently dual enrolled
at Gordon State College
and he plans to go into
combat engineering with
the Marines.
SPECIAL PHOTO
Pike County High School Class of 2024 senior Jacob Case recently enlisted with the U.S. Marines. Pictured are (l-r) Caleb Case,
Angela Case, Jacob Case, Staff Sergeant David B. Murphy Jr. and Sergeant Anthony Kelly.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Pike County will hold a Public Briefing on Tuesday, November 28, 2023
at 6:30 pm at the Pike County Courthouse located at 16001 Barnsville
Street, Zebulon GA 30295 for the purpose of discussing the approved
activities of the County’s Community Development Block Grant Pro
gram. On October 25, 2023, Pike County was awarded a Community
Development Block Grant in the amount of $1,000,000 to perform the
following activities:
Street & Drainage Improvements to be performed on Tanyard Road.
Items to be discussed include:
1. The amount of funds received and a description of each activity;
2. The amount of funds available for each activity and the amount of
funds that will benefit low and moderate income persons.
3. The plan, if applicable, to minimize the displacement of persons and
the plan to assist the people who may be displaced;
4. Fair Housing Laws, and Pike County’s Plan, if applicable, to further
Fair Housing;
5. Any possible conflicts of interest
The public is invited to attend this meeting to become informed of Pike
County’s Grant activities.
Pike County is committed to providing all persons with equal access to
its services, programs, activities, education and employment regardless
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability or
age. For a reasonable accommodation or if you need an alternative
format or language please contact Mrs. Angela Blount, County Clerk at
(770) 567-3406 prior to the meeting date stated above. Ms. Blount and
can be located at the Pike County Board of Commissioners Office, 331
Thomaston Street, Zebulon, Ga 30295 between the hours of 8:30 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m. Monday Through Friday except Holidays.
Persons with hearing disabilities can contact the Georgia Relay Service
at (TDD) 1-800-255-0056 or (voice) 1-800-255-0135.
MASK ROLLOFF
JASON MASK & COMPANY
Presents
NOV 24 & 25
RAIN OR SHINE
Gates open - 6pm
QC ARENA
1017 FLAT SHOALS RD
GAY, GA 30218
Show Starts @ 8pm CASH ONLY
FOOD VENDORS ON SITE
JOIN US FOR AFTERPARTY AT
TOWERHOUSE FARM BREWERY
18736 GA-8S • GAY, GA 30218
Thanks to our sponsors:
Tickets $20
Kids 8 & Under Free
NO PRE-SALE TICKETS
<SS>
PETER BUT OF A TLA NTA^
TREE SERVICE
Advertising grows businesses,
your local economy and gets
your name out to customers in
trustworthy ways.
Call today and give your business
the boost it deserves.
Reporter www.pikecountygeorgia.com
j ennifer @ pikecountygeorgia. com