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A crowd of 280 people gathered Saturday night for the Veterans Day Banquet hosted by American Legion Homer Dillard Post 78. In the photo at left, Post Commander Warren (Sonny) Richardson (left) welcomes the crowd. (Bulletin photos by Mike Wray) |
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Sunday, November 8, 2009
By ELIZA WINSTON - Bulletin Staff Writer
A local veteran dropped out of high school but went on to spend 40 years in the military, earn a business degree, spend 10 years in foreign countries and retire twice.
Guest Ell Louis “Johnell” Manns, Sergeant First Class, spoke about those experiences and the importance of remembering those who served in the military at a Veterans Day Banquet on Saturday in Horsepasture.
The banquet was hosted by American Legion Homer Dillard Post 78 and held at the Horsepasture District Volunteer Fire Department Saturday. A crowd estimated at 280 veterans and their families attended the event.
Sgt. First Class Manns’ career began after he dropped out of George Washington Carver High School to work in a factory. He joined the Army in 1963, inspired by the two generations of his family who had been in the service before him.
Saturday night he thanked all veterans who reached what he said was “the highest level of citizenship” and who have, he said, “both mental and physical scars from protecting our freedom.”
The efforts of those who fought are important and must be honored, especially on Veteran’s Day, but there also are others who did not serve yet still made sacrifices for the nation’s freedom, Manns said.
“On the homefront,” he said, “the loss that those in service and their loved ones endure can be great.” Those who lose a father, a mother or a spouse all know the great cost of freedom.
“Those who lost family members in the Persian War, Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said, “will always remember those in service who were lost, but it is important for all citizens to remember the price paid for our peace and freedom.”
Democracy gives people opportunities to achieve and succeed, Manns said.
Manns found such opportunities during his 20 years of service. He earned his GED and took college-level classes in the Army. After retiring from the service in 1983, he enrolled at Patrick Henry Community College, where he earned a degree in business administration.
He then decided to teach Junior ROTC so he could help future generations understand the importance of service in the Army.
“Service in a uniform,” he said, “is a privilege, but it is also a challenge to ensure future generations enjoy peace and freedom.”
Manns taught JROTC at Martinsville High School and then transferred to Morehead High School in Eden, N.C. He taught for 20 years before retiring a second time.
During his 20 years in the Army, Manns served three tours in Vietnam, two tours in South Korea and two in Germany. He worked as a Tactical Communications System operator, cable splicer and Tactical Wire Operations specialist. He received more than 13 awards and medals, and was selected for the Sergeant’s Major Academy before he retired from the service.
In addition to his years of service and teaching, Manns became a licensed minister, and he is associate pastor at Reach Out Apostolic Tabernacle in Axton.
Homer Dillard Past Commander Curtis Millner Sr. introduced Manns. Others on the program included Bassett JROTC Color Guard, Joseph Ellison, Thomas Spencer, First Vice Commander Charles Spencer, Post Chaplain Richard O. Stockton, Post Commander Warren )Sonny) Richardson, Auxiliary President Ethel G. Johnson, the Rev. Ray Arrington and the Rev. Kenneth Davis. |
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