

Dwight Tuggle
Branch of Service:
U.S. Army
Rank & Years of Service:
Staff Sergeant / E-6, 20 years of service
Spouse & Children:
Spouse: Jeanette
Children: Karla, James, Jacob, Deborah and Dwight II
Religious Affiliation:
Apostolic Pentecostal
Hobbies:
Teaching bible lessons, collecting coins, working around the house, spending time with friends and family
Current Employment/Job Title:
Currently Retired from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Postal Service in Fayetteville, GA
Additional Information:
- 2nd Generation U.S. Army Veteran, my father (Corporal David Tuggle) served in WWII
Served with the:
- 101 Airborne Division (Air Assault), HHT 2nd Squadron /17th Cavalry, Fort Campbell, KY
- Alfa Company, 97th Signal Battalion, Central Army Group (NATO), Manheim, Germany
- HHT 3rd Squadron / 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Bliss, TX
- Alfa Company, 32nd Signal Battalion, 22nd Signal Brigade, Frankfurt, Germany
- I Corp, Bravo Company, 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion
- I Corp, Charlie Company, 29th Signal Battalion, Fort Lewis, WA
- Aided: 210th Field Artillery Brigade while at Fort Lewis, WA
February 2021
Donald Hammond II
Branch of Service:
U.S. Army (National Guard)
Rank & Years of Service:
Enlisted for 7 years (SSG last enlisted rank held)
Commissioned for 11 years (Current CPT(P))
Total 18 years of service
Spouse & Children:
Spouse: Alicia Hammond
Children: Donald III (23), Darius (19) and Alana (15)
Religious Affiliation:
Believer in God
Hobbies:
Working out and spending time with family
Current Employment/Job Title:
Social Security Administration Human Resources Specialist
Additional Information:
2nd Generation Veteran as my father served 27 years in the Army Reserve
January 2021
Deonte Barfield
Branch of Service:
U.S. Navy
Years of Service:
7 years, 8 months
Rank:
E5 Petty Officer Second Class/Hospital Corpsman
Children:
I have 3 daughters ages 25, 13 and 9
Religious Affiliation:
I attend World Overcomers Christian Church in Raleigh Triangle Park in North Carolina
Community Service
I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where we believe in Service to All Mankind and servicing the community
Hobbies:
Baking, crafting, and spending time with family and friends
Current Employment/Job Title:
In my previous employment, I worked as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, assisting veterans with Significant Barriers to Employment and other resources. In my current employment, I am a Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator for our local Housing Authority.
Additional Information:
I earned my bachelor’s degree in social work from University of North Carolina-Wilmington and my master’s degree in social work from North Carolina Central University. My passion is to serve and help my fellow veterans in any capacity, especially those in hardship.
December 2020
Alvin E. Jackson
Branch of Service:
Army Reserve
Rank and Years of Service:
E4, 6 years
Spouse and Children:
Wife: Birdele M. Jackson
Children: Alvontee J. Montford and AlDevin Jackson
Grandchildren: Kennedy Jackson and Kolton Montford
Church or Religious Affiliation:
- Mount Olive Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Community Service:
- Boys Mentoring Program
- Prince Hall Masonic Mason Fred Douglas Lodge #143
- God’s Children Too Program
Hobbies:
- Basketball
- Football
- Softball
Current Employment/Job Title:
- Retired from Weyerhaeuser Company as a Mechanical Technician Specialist
- Basketball and Softball Official
Additional Information:
- Chairman of the Steward Board – Mount Olive CME Church
- Member of the Trustee Board – Mount Olive CME Church
- Airborne Paratrooper & Airborne Parachute Rigger
November 2020
Allen P. "Patch" Garcia
Branch of Service:
United States Air Force
Rank and Years of Service:
MSgt (E-7), Ret., 20 years
Spouse and Children:
Wife of 36 years: Tamara (Tammy) L. Garcia
Son: Allen P. Garcia (Current E-5 USAF)
Son: John T. Garcia (Former E-5 USAF)
Church or Religious Affiliation:
Stone Creek Baptist Church 1808, Dry Branch, Georgia
Community Service:
- Chaplain, Twiggs County Sheriffs Office
- Appalachia Backpack Ministry
- Samaritans Purse Shoe Box Ministry
- Prison Ministry
- Sunday School Director, Stone Creek Baptist Church
- Veteran's Smile Day at Family Dental Associates
Hobbies:
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Working around farm on tractor
- Traveling (Most recent trip was to Israel)
- Reading:
- History books as relates to the Bible
- Biblical scholars and their commentaries on the Bible
Current Employment/Job Title:
- Excel Dental Laboratory Inc., Manager
- Dental Laboratory Technician (37 yrs.)
- Certified Dental Laboratory Technician with National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC)
- Technologist Certification (NBC)
Any Additional Information:
Patch was born in Sumpter South Carolina to Jacqueline and Pete Garcia in 1964. He moved to the middle Ga. area in 1971 when his father was transferred to Robins Air Force Base. While attending Warner Robins High School, he met, for the first time, the future Mrs. Tammy Garcia. After graduating in 1983 he enlisted in the Air Force and left home for basic military training and received his first assignment located at Vandenberg AFB, California. In 1985 he married Tammy and they, over the course of their 37 years of marriage, have been blessed with two sons, Allen and Tyler, plus five wonderful grandchildren. Patch retired from the Air Force in 2003 and returned home to middle Ga. in 2010, settling down in Dry Branch Ga. In 2015 Patch received a call on his life, by the Lord, to ministry at the age of 51 and enrolled at Luther Rice College and Seminary. He completed his degree requirements and graduated May 2019 with a degree title of Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
October 2020
Greg Rivers
Branch of Military
U. S. Army
Rank & Years of Service
SFC. 2 years Army and 22 Army Reserve and National Guards
Spouse & Children
Wife-Joan Rivers, children-Marcus and Crystal
Religious Affiliation
Beulahland Bible Church and Bethel CME
Community Service
Member of The Historical Awards Committee Organization and Faith Over Fifty Ministry
Hobbies
Sports, swimming, Zumba, and family research
Current Employment/Job Title
Retired football, basketball and track coach
Additional Information
Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Life Time Member Fort Valley State University Alumni, and Big Red One Society
September 2020
Alton Howard MMCM (Ret.)
Branch of Military
U. S. Navy
Years of Service
1979–2002
Religious Affiliation
Feed Center Family Worship Center
Community Service
Feed Center Outreach Ministry
Hobbies
Basketball, Football, and helping in the community
Additional Information
Member of Kappa Lambda Chi Military Fraternity, Inc. Warner Robins Football Officials Group, Peach Sports Authority and Tournament Director for Global Sports Authority
August 2020
Chad Cheshire
Branch of Military
U.S. Army
Rank & Years of Service
Sergeant, February 2003 to October 2011 (8 years)
Spouse & Children
Jennifer Cheshire and two children Abilyn and Kaylee Cheshire
Religious Affiliation
Central Baptist Church in Warner Robins and I am also a Minister with Volunteers of America's Church
Community Service
Vice-Chair, Board of Directors Georgia's Department of Community Affairs Balance of State Continuum of Care & President of the Houston County Human Needs Coalition
Current Employment/Job Title
Volunteers of America Southeast - Director of Homelessness and Prevention Services
July 2020
Jessica A. Parker
Technical Sergeant Jessica A. Parker was a Medical Administrative Clerk for the 94th Tactical Airlift wing at Dobbins AFRB Marietta GA. She was responsible for maintaining and monitoring the random Drug Testing for the Air Force Reserve Units. She was responsible for maintaining and filing medical records. She was a Social Actions Technician Drug and Alcohol Abuse Technician.
Prior to this assignment TSgt Parker was an Admin Clerk. In the 94th Combat Support Group, maintaining records for the unit.
TSgt Parker graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1974. This was the first year they offered Air Force ROTC for girls.
EDUCATION
- 1974 Jonesboro High School
- 1974 Clayton Jr College
- 1989 Associate Degree St Leo College
- 1991 Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice St Leo College
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- Meritorious Unit Award
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
June 2020
Jeffery Patron Jones
Branch of Military:
U.S. Army
Rank & Years of Service:
E-4 (P) 10 years of service
Spouse & Children:
(Wife) Cynthia Jones
(Children) Jamila, Chanell, Jalil, & Jahmeka
Religious Affiliation:
New Generational Beginning Ministries
Community Service:
Mentor for at-risk youth, Community Food Program and Recovery Advocate
Hobbies:
Collecting African Artwork, Reading History Books, Houseplants and Cooking
Current Employment/Job Title:
Certified Peer Support Specialist - Carl Vinson VA Medical Center
Program Director - New Beginnings Recovery Homes for Men
Fraternal information:
Prince Hall Mason, Hatoff # 409 Masonic Lodge
Prince Hall Shriner, Masab Temple #11, Desert of Georgia, Oasis of Macon
May 2020
Antorius M. Merritt Sr.
Branch of Military:
U.S. Army
Rank & Years of Service:
E-7/ 22 Years of Service
Spouse & Children:
Wife: Lakisha D. Merritt, 4 children and 1 grandchild. Son, Antorius M. Merritt Jr, Daughters: Chanteria S. Merritt, Charnae C. Merritt, Na'Liyah D. Merritt. Grandson: Bradley H. Gordon.
Religious Affiliation:
We attend church at Lundy Chapel Baptist Church
Community Service:
"I am part of Macon Chapter Black Sabbath Motorcycle Club so I have the pleasure to participate in several events in the community. Once a month we feed the homeless and we also do charity toy drives yearly."
Hobbies:
Weightlifting and riding motorcycles
Current Employment/Job Title:
Retired
Additional information:
"My wife Lakisha and I moved to Macon after she got a promotion with her job about 7 years ago. So now we are enjoying the Middle Georgia area."
April 2020
Tom Watson Padgett
Branch of Military:
U.S. Navy (Amphibians)
Rank & Years of Service:
Engineman 4 years active and 4 years inactive
Spouse & Children:
Tom has been married to Veronica M. Padgett for 61 years and they do not have any children.
Religious Affiliation:
Byron United Methodist Church
Hobbies:
Camping and Nascar
Current Employment/Job Title:
Retired
Additional information:
Tom and Veronica moved to Georgia from Tampa, FL after Thatcher Glass went bankrupt after 14 years of service. Tom retired from Anchor Glass and worked at the Go Fish Education Center in Perry, GA until he became disabled.
March 2020
Dwayne S. Ward
Branch of Military:
U.S. Navy
Rank & Years of Service:
Petty Officer 3rd Class (Aviation Machinist Mate) / 1993–1997 (5 years of service)
Spouse & Children:
Three awesome kids Logan 18, Tristyn 16 and Sage 13. You will see my girlfriend Becky running with me often!
Religious Affiliation:
Methodist
Community Service:
RWB Member, very involved with the Jones County High School Long Distance Running team.
Hobbies:
Training for racing events, body weight workouts, heavy bag work, spending time with my kids.
Current Employment/Job Title:
Robins AFB / Maintenance Repair and Overhaul IT Technical Solution Lead. Dwayne is also the owner of Gallant Fellows Beard Grooming Products and LTS Beauty Supply, both family businesses with my children and brother.
Additional information:
Third generation Veteran and 2nd generation Sailor Veteran as my father before me!
A good portion of my time is training for races; I have discussed with several other Veterans the importance of physical activity. My main goal running is not actually physical but mental well-being. The SEGAMI races mean a lot to me, it is my favorite race to attend and the one I train for the hardest.
2017 SEGAMI Half 1:55:48
2018 SEGAMI Half 1:54:28 (Half-overall PR)
2019 SEGAMI 5K 25:41 Veterans Division Overall Winner