Sonya Richards White-SSG

Sonya is the oldest of her mother’s three children. She was born in Reading, PA and has been in Charleston, SC all of her life or since the age of 2. Sonya joined the Army National Guard at the age of 29. I thought I was not going to be able to compete. It has been 20 years and now I am embracing retirement.

During that time, I gave birth to Sierra Denise White; I only have the one child. She also had to make sacrifices for the choice I made to serve this state and country. I started out as a Medic and ended as a Logistician. I have participated in two deployments, three storms and the G8 Summit. If I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing.

Now that my weekends are free and my vacation is not in uniform somewhere training in the heat, I just enjoy life. I engage in spending time with my daughter, worshiping at Greater Union Baptist Church, socializing and crocheting blankets for little bundles of joy.

My dream is to work with fellow Veterans that need a helping hand with maneuvering through this thing called life. I was blessed with that job as a Community Resource and Resiliency Coordinator at VECTR. I really enjoy what I do. Once my work is done, I pray that the Lord will put me where he sees fit.

Governor H. Henderson Jr.

Governor served 2 years in the United States Navy before his military career was cut short due to injury. Governor is happily married to his wife of 21 years and they have a 15 year old son. Governor and his family worships in a non-denominational setting to embrace the opportunities of diversity.

Governor and his wife spent the past 18 years in the Metropolitan Atlanta area but relocated to Michigan in 2017, and are continuing the quest to engage in diverse cultures while exposing their son to the same.

"My hobbies include running, working out and swimming, when not spending quality time with the family. My current occupation is Director of Security for a major corporation in Michigan. Safety and security have been my passion for the past 24 years. After being medically discharged from the Navy, I wanted to continue in a career path which would give me an opportunity to serve and protect. During my public service career, I was afforded the opportunity to serve with the Georgia Department of Corrections, as a Correctional Officer, and elite Tactical Squad Member. I then went on to become a certified police officer, where I had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Macon, GA. While always looking for growth, I moved to the Metropolitan Atlanta Area, and served for the Henry County Police Department as a Narcotics Detective and for the Atlanta Police Department as a Burglary Specialist, General Investigator, and Sex Crimes Investigator. My valuable experience positioned me to serve in the capacity of an investigator for the District Attorney of Fulton County (GA) in the Crimes Against Women and Children’s Unit before relocating. It was through the discipline and courage instilled in me by my military service, which allowed me to serve others for 24 years with pride and dignity."

Pastor Beverly Flowers, M.Div

Branch of Military:

U.S. Air Force

Rank & Years of Service:

Technical Sergeant (TSgt), Active Duty 12 years & 8 years Reserve (20 years combined total served). Seventeen of these years were served as a Substance Abuse Counselor. She retired from the Military at Robins AFB, 1994.

Spouse & Children:

Rev. Joe Flowers, Jr., Army Captain, Veteran. They share together a combined total of 6 daughters three of whom were from previous marriages.

Religious Affiliation:

United Methodist Church.  She received her Master of Divinity Degree from Gammon Theological Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), located in Atlanta, GA. After graduating, Pastor Flowers served as an Ordained Elder within her denomination. She also served briefly as a Chaplain at the Dublin Veterans Medical Administration Center (GA.) Pastor Flowers retired from Asbury UMC, Savannah, GA., June 2012, after having completed 24 years of Ministerial service, serving many churches  within the United Methodist denomination.

Community Service:

Currently, Pastor Flowers teaches Ecumenical (Community), Noon Day Bible Study, Senior’s Ministry at Kelley Chapel UMC, in Decatur, GA.

Hobbies:

Reading, Walking, learning to line dance and Tai Chi.

Current Employment/Job Title:

Entrepreneur, Call center agent from home.

Additional Information:

Pastor Flowers is honored to serve GOD and Country.

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.

Brad Losner

Branch of Military:

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); Rachel (30)

Religious Affiliation:

Towne View Baptist Church

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 Military:

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 US Army and the U.S. Postal Service, 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 Military:

US 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 Military:

U.S. Navy

Rank & Years of Service:

E5 Petty Officer Second Class/Hospital Corpsman - 7 years, 8 months.

Family & Children:

I have 3 daughters 25, 13, 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:

My hobbies include baking, crafting, and spending time with family and friends.

Employment:

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 compacity, especially those in hardship.

Alvin E. Jackson

Branch of Military:

U.S. Army Reserve

Rank & Years of Service:

E4, 6 years

Spouse & Children:

Wife: Birdele M. Jackson
Children: Alvontee J. Montford and AlDevin Jackson
Grandchildren: Kennedy Jackson and Kolton Montford

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 Officia

Additional Information:

• Chairman of the Steward Board – Mount Olive CME Church
• Member of the Trustee Board – Mount Olive CME Churc
• Airborne Paratrooper & Airborne Parachute Rigger

Allen P. "Patch" Garcia

Honduras Mission Trip to Orphanage Emmanuel 2017. Pictured from left to right: Allen P. Garcia, Tamara L. Garcia, and two of God's "fearfully and wonderfully made" children (Psalm 139:14).

Branch of Military:

United States Air Force

Rank & Years of Service:

MSgt (E-7), Ret., 20 years

Spouse & Children:

Wife of 36 years: Tamara (Tammy) L. Garcia
Sons: Allen P. Garcia (Current E-5 USAF) & John T. Garcia (Former E-5 USAF)

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)

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:

United States 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 Alexander Howard MMCM (Retired)

Branch of Military:

United States 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.