Before business began for the Hinesville Rotary Club, members took a moment to recognize and appropriately send-off their most senior Rotarian.

With 52 years of membership, Fred Gunter will relocate and leave the local club.

Billy Jones highlighted some of Gunter's accomplishments before presenting him with an award and describing him as "truly the epitome of service above self."
"He really knows what it means to serve," Jones said.
Gunter's service to the community included presiding over at least 25 different professional organizations. Before that, Gunter joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Stewart in 1940 when it was still referred to as Camp Stewart.
His military career included serving under Gen. George Patton during World War II. Jones noted how Gunter participated in one of the war's first battles in Tunisia and in the last battle in the Philippines.
Gunter also has helped plan and build 50 hospitals around the state.
Upon receiving his award, Gunter said a few words regarding his experience in Hinesville and participation in Rotary, and presented gifts to the outgoing and incoming presidents and Billy Jones.