Ricky Oliver Manning

Branch of Military:

United States Army

Rank:

Captain

Years of Service:

22 years

Spouse & Children:

Daughter: Malaysia Manning 21
Son: LaDarius Manning 15

Church:

Jerusalem Baptist Church

Hobbies:

Working out at the gym and playing basketball

Current Employment/Job Title:

Georgia Department of Labor/ Disabled Veteran Out Reach Program Specialist

Additional information:

Ricky served over 22 years in the United States Army traveling all over the world to places such as Korea, Germany, Alaska, Greece, Macedonia and several of the states in the lower 48. He has also defended and protected his country through several deployments to Kuwait, Afghanistan and twice to Iraq, receiving a Bronze Star as his highest award during a military conflict.

Ricky retired from the Army as a captain in March of 2015 and now serves his community as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Specialist for the Department of Labor in Warner Robins, Georgia. He serves veterans with significant barriers to employment by coach, counseling and preparing them for the workforce.

Jerry Long

Branch of Military:

United States Army

Rank:

Sergeant Major

Years of Service:

27 years

Spouse & Children:

Happily married with 5 children and numerous grand kids

Community Service:

• Disabled American Veteran/ Raymond Williams Chapter 50
• American Legion/Joseph N. Neel, Jr. Post #3
• Veterans of Foreign Wars/ Bunting-McWilliams Post 658

Hobbies:

Sports, walking, and working outdoors

Current Employment/Job Title:

Veteran Outreach Program Specialist at the Macon Vet Center, Department of Veterans Affairs

Additional information:

SGM Long hails from Memphis, Tennessee. He entered the Army in June 1979 and attended One Station Unit Training at FT Benning, Georgia. His military education includes Primary Noncommissioned Officer Course (PNCOC); Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC); Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course (ANCOC); United States Army Sergeant Major Course, First Sergeant Course; Battle Staff Course; Drill Sergeant School; Airborne School; Pathfinder School; Jumpmaster School; Light Leaders Course; Instructor Training Course; Tactics Certification Course and Cadet Command Pre-Command Course and Faculty Development Course.

His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Award with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, ninth award of the Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupational Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze star, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Ribbon with numeral 4 and the Valorous Unit Award. His experience and knowledge earned him the distinction of being selected and inducted into the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and awarded the Order of Saint Maurice as an Infantryman.

Jacorey Coleman

Branch of Military:

Army National Guard

Rank:

E4 Specialist and Currently Serving

Church or Religious Affiliation:

Baptist

Hobbies:

Basketball and Traveling

Current Employment/Job Title:

Carl Vinson VA Medical Center/Retail Clerk

Additional information:

• Received 2 Medals from the General of the Army
• Owner of Lawn Care Business

Mallary C. McClendon

Branch of Military:

U. S. Army

Years of Service:

1976-1982

Church or Religious Affiliation:

Seventh Day Adventist

Hobbies:

Golfing

Additional information:

• Basic Training – Fort Jackson, SC
• Signal Corp – Fort Gordon

Walter Lee Brown

Branch of Military:

U. S. Marines

Years of Service:

1969-1971

Church or Religious Affiliation:

Seventh Day Adventist

Community Service:

Prison Ministries

Hobbies:

Fishing

Additional information:

• Basic Training – Camp Lejeune
• Tank Battalion & Artillery – Camp Pendleton

Arthur C. Willis, Jr.

Branch of Military:

U.S. Army-Infantry

Rank & Years of Service:

2 years stationed in Mentz, Germany

Spouse & Children:

• Married to Emma Jean Jackson Willis
• Son, Master Chief Levere Rose (U.S. Navy)
• Two grandsons, Jaden & Kaden

Church or Religious Affiliation:

Powell Missionary Baptist Church of Talbotton, Georgia

Community Service:

• Scout Master for Troup 60
• Past Master for Fred Douglas Masonic Lodge #143
• Assistant State Director for the KOP (Knights of Pythagoras)
• Participate in the Christmas Nursing Home Visits
• Feed the Community
• Director of C.V. Troup Council of the KOP
• Served as Summer Camp State Director for KOP

Hobbies:

Fishing, Hunting and Farming

Current Employment/Job Title:

• Retired after 30 years from Fort Valley State University College of Agriculture
• Owner of Bo’s Farm & Produce

Additional information:

Arthur is a native of Waverly Hall, Georgia and resides in Fort Valley, Georgia. He is the fourth child of eleven siblings. Arthur is a 1972 graduate of Harris County High School of Hamilton, Georgia and a 1983 Graduate of the Fort Valley State University. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture (with a concentration in Agronomy). Arthur has received many academic scholars on the education level.

Daniel Dixon

Daniel was born in Fort Valley, Georgia to the late Hezzie and Lillian Byrd Dixon. He is the fourth child and only son born to this marriage. His siblings are Dollie, Debbie, Sandra and the late Ethel and Betty.

He graduated with the class of 1968 from the Henry Alexander Hunt High School in Fort Valley, Georgia and attended The Fort Valley State College (University) until he enlisted in the United States Army. During his 15 year Military Service career, Daniel earned the rank of Sergeant and was an Airborne Air Drop Supervisor. His tours of active duty included Germany, Saudia Arabia (Desert Storm) and Korea. He also served in the Army Reserves.

Daniel has three (3) adult children. He is the proud granddad to seven (7) biological and to many others through his work in community service at the Peach County Recreation Department.

Currently, Daniel serves as a Georgia High School Association Official (GHSA) and Event Planner for the Agriculture Technology Conference Center at The Fort Valley State University.

His lifelong religious affiliation is with Harris Chapel CME Church in Crawford County.

Daniel embraces with adoration his love for family, work and community. When the opportunity presents itself, his favorite hobby is fishing!

Thomas Edmond

Thomas Edmond is a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and currently serves as an Information Receptionist at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center located in Dublin, Georgia.

While serving in the Army Infantry from 1969 to 1971, Edmond deployed to Vietnam for a year-long tour. During his combat deployment, he earned the Combat Infantry Badge and honorably discharged from the Army in 1971 as a Private First Class.

His service at Carl Vinson VA Medical Center started in 2013 when Edmond volunteered as the information receptionist at building five’s main entrance. He immediately began making an impact in his new role and a few years later, medical center leadership created a full-time position for Edmond to continue his outstanding work.

Edmond champions hard work and was featured in VA’s Vantage Point Blog “From homeless to hired – a story of resilience and dedication.” He advocates for mental health awareness and also belongs to William Chapel Baptist Church where he is a long-time member.

Laronda F. Eason

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army

Rank:

CPT

Years of Service:

26 Years

Children:

Marqueaz and Dennis, Jr.

Religious Affiliation:

Usher’s Temple CME

Community Service:

• American Legion Post 268
• Fort Valley Evening Optimist Club
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Hobbies:

• Golf
• Assisting Veterans
• Community Outreach Projects

Current Employment:

Disabled Veteran

Additional Information:

I am proud to serve as the Chaplain for the American Legion Post 268 as well as assist all veterans in any capacity that will be helpful in improving the quality of their lives.

Robert D. Moss

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army

Rank:

E-4

Years of Service:

3 Years of Service

Spouse & Children:

Jacinta Williams, Kenica Moss, Laquitta Moss and Tambriea Moss

Religious Affiliation:

Word in Season Ministries

Community Service:

Veterans Advocacy

Hobbies:

All Sports & Assisting Disabled Veterans

Current Employment:

Disabled Veteran

Additional Information:

I have, through the help of Veterans and Staff, gained the quality of life which I deserve and others. I have had many ups and downs battling homelessness, substance abuse and my spouse committed suicide on August 20, 2021. The VA and staff members helped me in my time of crisis and needs, as a veteran I am extremely grateful.

Basil Beckford

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army

Rank:

Sergeant

Years of Service:

12 Years of Service with Deployments to Bosnia, Macedonia and Iraq

Spouse & Children:

Married with 4 Children

Community Service:

Working to eliminate Veterans Homelessness.

Hobbies:

Loves running, working out and traveling.

Current Employment:

Works for the US Department of Housing & Urban Development.

James A. Latimore

Branch of Service:

U.S. Army (2 years)
U.S. Air Force Reserve (24 years)

Rank:

TSGT (Retired)

Years of Service:

26 years

Religious Affiliation:

Saint Peter AME Church in Fort Valley, GA (Serves as Trustee Pro-Tem)

Hobbies:

• Working in my garden
• Watching and attending football games
• Watching all other sports
• Traveling
• Attending family events and relaxing after I retired

Additional Information:

• Member of the American Legion Post 268 (Treasurer)
• Member of the Hunt Educational and Cultural Center (Treasurer)
• Life Member of the FVSU National Alumni Association (Past Treasurer)
• Member of the Fort Valley Retired Educator Association
• Life Member of the Fort Valley Evening Optimist Club (Past Treasurer & President)