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

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

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

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

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."

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.

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

Martha "Mert" Dorgan

Branch of Military:
U.S. Navy

Rank & Years of Service:
Commander (O-5)/20 years

Spouse & Children:
Mert is not married and does not have any children but she has a black cat named Kommander.

Religious Affiliation:
Methodist

Community Service:
Volunteer as a UGA certified Georgia Master Gardener and with Team RWB (Red, White & Blue)

Hobbies:
Running and being Ms. Fix It

Current Employment/Job Title:
Fully Retired

Additional information:
Mert was commissioned via the NROTC Program at Villanova University and served as an aircraft maintenance officer. Serving in the world's greatest Navy with wonderfully professional shipmates remains one of the highlights of her life.

Mert is also the 2017 & 2018 SEGAMI Half Marathon Top Female Senior Division Winner.

Ronald E. Johnson

Branch of Military:
U.S. ARMY Combat Infantryman

Rank & Years of Service:
Staff Sergeant (p) 15 years of service

Years of Service:
1980 – 1995

Spouse:
Mrs. Michelle Johnson (U.S. Navy Gulf War Veteran)

Children:
Ms. Sydney Price who attends Spelman College and Devon Proctor who attends West Laurens High School.

Religious Affiliation:
True believer in God.

Community Service:
VA2K Chairman, Food Bank volunteer, Board member of Bethel House Ministries, Coach

Hobbies:
Public Speaking, Teaching, Reading, Historian, Veteran Advocate

Current Employment/Job Title:
Lead Certified Peer Support Specialist - Carl Vinson VA Medical Center

Certifications and trainings include:
Graduate of Northside High School, Big Bend Community College, UNC School of Behavior Primary Leadership School, VET2VET Certified, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Respect Institute Graduate, WHAM (Whole Health Action Management), WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), MHFA (Mental Health First Aid), SST (Social Skills Trained), W2SM (Warrior to Soul Mate Facilitator), OTM (Own The Moment Trainer)

Achievements:

• Men Who Made A Difference Award
• Clinical Employee of the Quarter
• WHO’S WHO Worldwide Honors
• Bronze Star Recipient Combat Infantryman Badge

Ron resides in Dublin, Georgia

Joseph D. Brothers Sr.

Branch of Military:
United States Air Force

Rank:
Chief Master Sergeant

Years of Service:
1960 – 1990

Spouse:
Minister Rebecca Brothers

Children:
Terri, Joseph Jr., Staci, Jeffrey and Tamisha plus many grands and great grands.

Current Employment/Job Title:
Retired and loving it!

Hobbies:
Taking care of family, staying in shape, walking, jogging, exercising and watching TV

Religious Affiliation:
Dorcas House Ministries (DHM), 223 A&B S. Commercial Circle; Warner Robins GA. Serving as treasurer and volunteer, assisting the DHM Executive Director, Minister Brothers, along with other volunteers providing clothing, food, assistance with utility bills and, most importantly, encouragement to and prayer for the needy.

Additional information:
Chief Brothers (Ret) joined the Air Force on 22 August 1960, along with neighborhood friends who along the way left the military for civilian life.

I decided early on to dedicate myself to the Air Force and federal service. With the help and support of my wife and grace and mercy of God, was able to complete not only a 30+ year military career, but also a 22+ year civil service career. I highly recommend military service.

Senator Johnny Isakson

Branch of Military:
Georgia Air National Guard

Rank and Years of Service:
Staff Sergeant; 1966 – 1972

Spouse and Children:
Dianne Davison Isakson; three children; eight grandchildren

Church/Religious Affiliation:
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

Community Service:
The Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation; Shepherd Center

Hobbies:
Being with my family

Current Employment/Job Title:
U.S. Senator

Additional information:
Johnny is a successful businessman with 40-plus years in the real estate industry who has built a respected record of public service to Georgia and the nation.

Johnny holds the distinction of being the only Georgian ever to have been elected to the state House, state Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. In addition, in 2016 he became the first Georgia Republican ever to be elected to a third term in the U.S. Senate.

For a third consecutive term, Johnny is chairman of both the Senate Ethics Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and he remains the only Republican in the Senate chairing two committees.

He also serves on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

I have served as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs since 2015 and I’m also a member of American Legion Post 233 in Loganville, GA.

Michael Anthony Kelly

Branch:
United States Army

Rank:
Major

Years of Service:
1982-2017

Spouse/Children:
Wife, Janet and Son, Wyatt

Church:
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

Community Service:
Free counseling services by referral

Current Employment:
Regional Admissions Counselor at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC

Hobbies:
Painting and antique clock repair