John Henry Torbert

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army

Rank:

Private First Class

Years of Service:

1961 – 1963

Spouse & Children:

Spouse: Bobbie Torbert - 52 years
Children: Kena, Johnelle and Shalema

Religious Affiliation:

Mount Neboh Baptist Church, Harlem NY

Community Service:

• Providing income tax information
• Urban vegetable gardening

Hobbies:

• Spending time with grandsons (John-Avery and Bryson)
• Fishing
• Urban vegetable gardening
• Chef and Master Griller

Employment:

• New York City Police Officer, 21 years
• Salomon Smith Barney Holdings Inc., Clerk Receptionist 13 years

Additional Information:

101 Airborne Division (Paratrooper), 501 Signal Battalion Fort Campbell, KY

John H. Torbert is a quiet, warm-hearted man with deep values of honesty and tradition. He is the type of man that you can joke with, and learn valuable lessons from without intimidation or judgement. He finds common ground with strangers, and makes people feel comfortable in his presence. He is the ideal father. We are blessed to have him as ours. Thanks for always being the solid rock for our family. – Your Loving Daughters

Robert L. Freeman

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army

Rank:

SP/4

Years of Service

January 12, 1971 – January 11, 1973

Spouse & Children:

Spouse: Diane Freeman
Children: Tara, Dezon, Pernordo, Ryan, Percata & Kielan

Religious Affiliation:

First Fellowship Worship Center

Community Service:

• Ridge Grove AME Church Food Pantry
• Ridge Grove AME Church Sunday School Teacher & Pastor’s Assistant

Hobbies:

• Classic Cars
• NHRA Drag Race Event

Current Employment/Job Title:

• Retired U.S. Postal Service in 2007 with 37 Years
• Chauffer and Limousine License & Contractor

Earl C. Grayson, Jr.

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army

Rank:

E6/Staff SGT

Spouse & Children:

Spouse: Janice F. Grayson (45 Years)
Children: 3 Sons & 14 Grandchildren

Religious Affiliation:

First Fellowship Worship Center

Community Service:

Men of Destiny Ministry

Hobbies:

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Current Employment/Job Title:

Director of Operations – P.A.L.M.S. Medical Transport, LLC

Lewis C. Wright

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army

Rank & Years of Service:

Corporal; 2 years

Spouse & Children:

Spouse: Louise
Children: 9
Step-Children: 2

Religious Affiliation:

Church of Christ

Community Service:

Takes Communion to the sick and shut in

Hobbies:

Studying the Bible

Current Employment/Job Title:

Retired Owner

Additional Information:

Mr. Wright received 3 Bronze Stars for his service as a Combat Army Medic in the Korean War.

Brad Losner

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army

Rank & Years of Service:

Former CPT (P); 10 years of service

Spouse & Children:

Rebecca and I have two wonderful children: Max (8) and Rachel (30)

Religious Affiliation:

Towne View Baptist Church

Community Service:

Deacon at Towne View Baptist Church; VETLANTA member; Cub Scouts volunteer leader

Hobbies:

Spending time with Family & Friends; RC car racing with our son; mountain biking; running; hiking; Personal Finance

Current Employment/Job Title:

Truist Bank; Financial Crimes Group Manager

Additional Information:

I’ve been and continue to be blessed by many caring and knowledgeable mentors throughout my life, especially during my transition from military to civilian life. I enjoy opportunities to positively impact others through mentorship and encouragement as well.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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