By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
VFW Post 6602 holds Veterans Day observance
Garrison commander Col. Marc Austin
Garrison commander Col. Marc Austin and garrison command sergeant major CSM Ely Capindo stand at attention as the National Anthem is performed Saturday morning. Photo by Pat Donahue

Hinesville is known for its veteran population and how it treats the soldiers and families of Fort Stewart — and that’s coming from one of the brass on post.

Col. Marc Austin, the Fort Stewart garrison commander, delivered his r ema r k s on the relationship b e twe e n the military and civilian community during the annual community Veterans Day observance, held at VFW Post 6602.

For Col. Austin, it’s his second assignment at Fort Stewart and one he said he anticipated.

“I wanted to come back here,” he said. “I’ve served in a lot of locations over the years and it is the one place where there really isn’t a barrier.”

Col. Austin also pointed out that though there are gates and boundary lines, the military community is integrated and immersed in life outside the bounds of the massive base. November is also Military Family Appreciation Month, he noted.

“On behalf of everybody on Fort Stewart, thank you for being such a great friend,” he said.

Col. Austin also remarked on the meaning of Veterans Day, especially in a city that has the greatest number of veterans per capita, he said.

“This vibrant city is not only a testament to the strength and resilience of our armed forces,” he said, “but it is also home to one of the most prominent military installations in the country. Chances are you are going to be running into somebody who served.”

Veterans Day, Col. Austin said, is a day dedicated to recognizing and honoring the nation’s veterans, “those who have served our great nation with unwavering honor and distinction.”

Col. Austin added the veterans’ sacrifices deserve the nation’s eternal gratitude and it is “our solemn duty to never forget.”

“Veterans Day serves as a reminder that the strength of the Army, and indeed our entire nation, lies in the commitment and dedication of our people,” he said.

For those who may become soldiers in the future, how veterans are treated today is an example of the Army’s dedication to those who served in its ranks, Col. Austin said. Roughly half of the Army’s civilian force, he added, is made up of former soldiers.

Other organizations also recognize what skills soldiers learned while in the Army and other assets they bring to a post-service life, Col. Austin said.

“The skills honed during their service open up new pathways to success. You don’t stop leading when you take off that uniform,” he said. “You truly can be all you can be.”

Austin also pointed out it is important to hear the stories of veterans to connect the public with the value of Army service.

“These stories are a testament to the honor, courage and commitment displayed by our veterans and they have served as a beacon of inspiration for those considering a path to service,” he said.

“Let us all remember the profound impact veterans have. I can’t beat that drum enough,” Col. Austin said. “Not just for what you do here but the dedication you have. What I ask is for you is to continue to share your stories because there is no better brand ambassador than an Army veteran.”

Sign up for our e-newsletters
Williams reflects on Carter's legacy
Al Williams
Al Williams

During the contested and contorted Democratic gubernatorial primary in 1970, Al Williams backed the candidacy of Carl Sanders early on.

But when Daddy King, as Williams called him, the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., put his support behind a state senator from southwest Georgia, Williams followed suit.

And he stayed a fervent and ardent supporter of Jimmy Carter and called him a man “of great integrity.” A national funeral service for Carter will take place Thursday at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., followed by a private service later that day in his hometown of Plains. 

“I met him, by happenstance, in 1970,” Williams said of meeting Carter. “He just asked me if I could support him. And I thought, that’s very strong and that impressed me.”

Their paths crossed again in 1972. Carter was governor, and Williams was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. “This was the first convention that the governor of Georgia didn’t hand pick the delegates,” Williams said.

Just as Carter’s term in office was ending, Williams went to meet with the governor with state Sen. Mel Traylor, whose district included Liberty County. 

When they get ready to leave, Sen. Traylor asked Carter what his plans were after office. Carter told them he was running for president.

“Mel and I walked away from his office and walked down the steps and before we got to the last step, we started laughing so hard, I thought security was going to come get us,” Williams recalled.

Both Traylor and Williams thought Carter’s declaration of running for the highest office in the world was one of the craziest ideas they had heard.

“Shows you how much we knew,” Williams said. “He was a smart man, and he had discipline and determination.”

Williams went to bat for Carter again, all over Georgia and all over the South, campaigning for him in South Carolina, Alabama and Florida. Williams was appointed to the electoral college, the first African American from southeast Georgia to be chosen, and as such, back then, his name was on the ballot.

For those who were students of the late Sampie Smith at Bradwell Institute, they learned quickly that only one man in the history of Liberty County had ever voted for president of the United States – Al Williams. And Williams – as the only member Georgia’s electoral college delegation ever from Liberty County – cast his ballot for Jimmy Carter.

Williams said he also had a good relationship with Carter’s grandson Jason Carter, and brought the late Rosalyn Carter to Liberty County to help campaign for Jason when he ran for governor.

As governor, Carter overhauled and reorganized the state government.

“He made a lot of enemies,” Williams said, “but he shaved a lot of fat off the hog.”


For more, see this week's Courier or return to coastalcourier.com.

Latest Obituaries