The Mayor’s 21st annual service of songs, prayer and Thanksgiving was also the eighth and last for Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown.

The event, held at his home church of Hinesville United Methodist, brought together clergy and leaders from across the Liberty County community to offer thanks and expound on the theme of “Legacy of Unity.”

Brown, whose time in office is coming to an end through term limits, said Thanksgiving is his favorite time of year and recalled how his family gathered for the holiday at a home right across the street from the church’s front doors.

“Think about how grateful we are and how important community is,” he said. “I will continue to be dedicated to this city. It is my hope my time in office has made a lasting and positive impact on this awesome community.”

Brown also thanked his wife Debbie “for putting up with me and all the things that come along with being a mayor’s wife,” he said. “To my friends and supporters, thanks for allowing me to be a part of this chapter of Hinesville’s history.”

City Manager Kenneth Howard said Brown, who spent 30 years serving the city, including 16 years as mayor and serving as the first city administrator, has many achievements in his time but his greatest might be marrying Debbie. He also praised Brown for his resolve during the last eight years.

“We’ve had unprecedented challenges — we’ve had hurricanes, we’ve had a ransomware attack, we had a pandemic,” Howard said. “The Sunday school lesson this morning was you have to be unmovable and in the midst of challenges, you are steadfast. He loves people, and he loves the city.”

Liberty County Commission Chairman Donald Lovette said the community has fared well throughout history and does so today. He noted the community’s immense diversity — reflected in Allenhurst electing its first African-American town council member and Hinesville welcoming its first Hispanic city council member. Also, one of three stops in Georgia along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail is in Liberty County, at the fabled Dorchester Academy.

“We are a melting pot of cultures,” he said. “We have stories told and untold of heroes and unsung heroes waiting right here in Liberty County.”

Fort Stewart garrison commander Col. Marc Austin said there may be a gate separating Fort Stewart from Hinesville, but in essence there is no barrier between the communities.

“It’s really special how we come together as one,” he said.

Seventy percent of Fort Stewart soldiers and families live off post, and the base also has one of the highest retention rates in the Army.

“When people get out of the Army at Fort Stewart, they stay here,” he said.

Austin also remarked how special it is for the civilian community to invite the military to be a part of the Thanksgiving service, as Fort Stewart also was represented by base chaplain Maj. Erik Alfsen. Col. Austin offered his thanks to the community for its support, past, present and future, of the soldiers and families stationed at the base.

Brown have been friends for more than 50 years and while they may have found themselves on different sides politically from time to time, that has not affected their bond.

Williams, though, cited civility as no longer a prevailing trait in society, especially in politics.

“We as a nation have forgotten how to disagree and not be disagreeable as a nation,” Williams said. “How did we get here? How do we pull this unifying piece back together? When will we get behind one common purpose?”

The United States remains the greatest nation on earth, Williams said, and the nation was “put together by a brilliant piece of paper and in spite of its shortcomings, its exclusions, it was beautifully put together that it was able to be amended to close some gaps and make this an even more perfect union.”

Christie Conyers, pastor of New Zion Ministries, offered thanks for the creation of a community that all call home. She also cited the story of the 10 lepers, whom Jesus healed, but only one returned to give thanks to Jesus.

“This narrative serves as a powerful reminder to all of us,” she said. “Let us be inspired by this Samaritan leper’s response — express gratitude for what God has done in our lives.”

The mayor’s service, which started under then mayor Tom Ratcliffe, had a special offertory collected for the Liberty County Re-Entry Coalition, which helps former prisoners return to society. The Re-Entry Coalition was founded in 2012 and has helped more than 800 people since, executive director Daisy Jones said.

Jones told the story of one man who had in prison for 30 years and came to the center after his release. He asked for a cup of coffee and Jones brought one to him. The man broke down and cried. When Jones asked why, he said it was because everyone there was so nice to him.

“He began to cry because kindness moved him,” she said. “We got him connected with a job, with benefits, all the things to get his life back on track.”

While some of their clients have been returned to incarceration, the vast majority, Jones said, have re-established their lives. The coalition hopes to build transitional housing, hire a full-time case manager and provide in-house transportation for its clientele.

Bishop Kevin Betton, president of the United Ministerial Alliance, served as the host for the event and pastor of the host church, Dr. Tony Caldwell, offered the invocation for the gathered audience, including the fellow clergy and local leaders.

“Lord we are deeply grateful for your unceasing love and guidance, which is the bedrock of our community strength,” Rev. Caldwell said. “May they lead with compassion and integrity and a deep commitment to justice and inclusiveness.”