Editor’s note: Pictures taken during the Veterans Day parade can be located on page 2 in the edition of Wednesday November. 15 printing issue.
Veterans from the area gathered to celebrate Veterans Day for the 20th Annual Covington County Veterans POW/MIA Ceremony which was held in the Covington County Veterans Memorial Park located in front of the Andalusia City Hall.
In the course of the celebration the veterans who attended were honored, as were Gold Star families. The City Clerk John Thompson welcomed those who were present for the celebration that took place immediately following the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce’s Veterans Day parade. Andalusia High School Band Andalusia High School band sang The National Anthem and Mayor Earl Johnson delivered the invocation. Brian Foshee led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The guest keynote speaker was the CW5 Bryant Fontenot, an Army pilot who has more than forty years experience.
Fontenot was a retired pilot of his position in the U.S. Army in 2021 after 40 years of service. He was a CW5 for a period of 21 years. He had been a warrant official as well as a standardization instructor pilot prior to his retirement.
The native from Southern Louisiana, CW5 Fontenot joined the Army immediately following having graduated from high school. He was in a broad variety of important positions, including the most important posts within the Republic of Panama, the U.S. – Mexico border, Jordan, Bahrain, Israel, Iraq, the state level of the Alabama National Guard, the National Guard Bureau of Arlington Virginia Forts Novosel, Bragg, Lewis, and Hood, and went through the rigors of five deployments in combat. The culmination of his military service was in Commander Chief Warrant officer of Division West, part of the First US Army, Fort Hood Texas.
His battle assignments comprise:
* 1998 * 1998 Operation Southern Watch living with the 26th Kuwaiti Land Forces Brigade located on the south Iraqi border, battling Iraqi 51 DIV. Iraqi 51 Division.
* 1999 * 1999 Operation Northern Watch on and off Failaka Island Kuwait Ahmadi in coordination in conjunction with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit USMC and 5th US Special Forces Group.
* 2011 * 2011 Special Operations Task Force – Central, Anbar Province Iraq Training members of the 2nd Iraqi Special Operations Forces.
*2012 – Special Operations Task Force Central is pinned to the Syrian the border with Al Qaim.
* 2012 – A separate mission set for this time as Special Operations Task Force – NORTH Northern extremity of Iraq working to prevent at least Iraq as well as Turkey from destroying the Kurds in the last century.
CSS5 Fontenot was also a participant two times on the border between Mexico and the United States, supporting U.S. security concerns. security.
“Let’s not be today a time to remember tragedies, but instead celebrate those who have been in my service and with whom I’ve had the privilege to be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder. From the beginning of my life, all I wanted to do was an army soldier. I’ve realized that the people of our country aren’t aware of how we, as veterans, feel about them today. If you’ve never had the chance to spend any time during your military service, I would like to inquire, what should we be returning?” Fontenot said.
“There is a sense of purpose of a veteran, one that is bonded to this country and her people, which is something that stands out the veteran’s relationship above all other relationships we experience in our lives. How else do we ignore our spouses, wives, and families, and friends over and over to get on the plane that will transport us to where the bad guys are. Thank for every spouse and husband who benefited from the support of a service member,” he said.
The Mayor Earl Johnson recognized groups, which included those from the Covington Veterans’ Fund, Daughters of the American Revolution as well as the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce for their involvement in coordinating Veterans Day events.
“We are fortunate to be part of an patriotic community in which many organizations come together to express their gratitude the veterans of our country for their sacrifices,” Johnson said.
Circuit Judge, and CVF Member Ben Bowden introduced Fontenot as the guest presenter.
Following the speech the three wreaths were laid to honor veterans, prisoners of War. as well as for those Missing in Action. The people who attended the wreath ceremony included:
* Daniel Cox, U.S. Army Captain and Army Officer in the Infantry (2005-11), Navy 2000, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal.
* Michael Dennis Plantz, U.S. Marine Corps Corpsoral Lance, 1967-1970. Vietnamese Service Medal, 2 Stars, Vietnamese Campaign Medal.
* John Wayne Hartin, U.S. Army SP4 Light Weapons Infantryman 1967-69, Vietnam, Combat Infantryman’s Badge Two Purple Hearts.
Dillon Worley, AHS band director who directed the band at AHS, played “Taps” to close the ceremony.
Andalusia Youth Ambassadors were involved in assisting veterans who were part of in the procession to Veterans Memorial and provided programs.
The article City of Andalusia honors veterans in the an annual Veterans POW/MIA ceremony was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
