2008 Thunder Over Augusta: Participant Bios

The Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization aimed at assisting those men and women of the United States armed forces who have been severely injured during the war on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world. Beginning at the bedside of the severely wounded, WWP provides programs and services designated to ease the burdens of these heroes and their families, aid in the recovery process and smooth the transition back to civilian life.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is the only military approved organization by Congress and we are world wide in our operation. Our program is about helping all Veterans and their loved ones. We assist our Veterans in processing claims for benefits through the Veterans Administration and other agencies. We handle finance problems and provide the same services that the active services provide. However, we are in the civilian ream and operate as a non-profit organization. Commander William C. Ware serves the leader of the A. James Dyess Chapter #425 MOPH.

Marine Corps League Detachment #921
LtCol. Jimmie Dyess Detachment
The Marine Corps League sponsors many programs that benefit:
Our Veteran Marines and their families, Our Serving Marines and their families and The Youth of our Communities.

Programs we are involved in:
Toys for Tots, Support of VA benefits and our veterans to receive them,
Recognition of significant dates in Marine Corps History,Care packages to deployed Marines, Visiting shut-in Marines, Boy Scout and JRTOC units

Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF)
Mission: When ordered by the Adjutant General, provide an organized, trained, disciplined, rapid response volunteer force to assist state and local government agencies, and civil relief organization in impending or actual emergencies to assure the welfare and safety of the citizens of Georgia.

Organization: The GSDF is part of the Georgia Department of Defense and augments the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard. The GSDF is an all volunteer, unpaid, unarmed, military organization. It currently consists of 5 Brigades with an authorized strength of slightly under 1,000 members. The Brigades are located at strategic points throughout the State: 1st Brigade in Marietta; 2nd Brigade in Milledgeville; 3rd Brigade in Savannah; 4th Brigade in

Fitzgerald and the 5th Brigade in Columbus. Each Brigade has several sub-units called Battalions that are located throughout each Brigade’s area of operation. The GSDF also has specialized units in the areas of Medical (MEDDET), Information Technology (IT), Law (JAG), Chaplain (Chaplains Corp) and Public Affairs (PAO)

Enlistment Qualifications: Male or Female; Minimum age of 18; and prior military service not required.

Attendance: Each unit is required to Drill (meet) at least one day per month and there is also a requirement to attend 2 days of annual training each year. Annual training is usually held at one of the regular US Army Bases in Georgia: Ft. Stewart; Ft. Gordon or Ft. Benning.

Missions: The GSDF performs a variety of missions for the National Guard including family support, legal assistance, medical support, physical security, and technical assistance. The GSDF performs missions such as evacuation and control during natural disasters, perimeter security and medical assistance at major public festivals, and maintains liaison with a variety of local emergency, law enforcement, and homeland security agencies.

Training: The GSDF receives training designed around the needs of its missions and includes but is not limited to:

Disaster Reconnaissance; Traffic/Evacuation Control; Area Isolation & Area Security; Search and Rescue Operations; Family Assistance Support; Crowd Control & Event Security and Facility Security.

Currently, each new recruit is required to complete an Initial Entry Training. There are numerous additional training opportunities available including, but not limited to, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) courses relating to a disaster response training, the NCO Academy, and Officer Candidate School (OCS).

Rank: Non-prior service personnel join at the rank of Private and are entitled to their first promotion after completion of IET. Personnel with prior military service are authorized the last rank held with additional rank determined by an Assignment Review Board.

Uniforms: ACU (Army Combat Uniform); Patrol cap and beret with red flash; Boots, black (combat) or canvas side (jungle); Uniform patches are issued (1st Set Only) except for reverse American flag patch.

Membership: As a volunteer organization, the GSDF does not require a period of enlistment. However, promotion to the higher ranks in the NCO and Officer Corps requires a minimum of a two-year commitment. You will be issued a Georgia Department of Defense ID Card. Membership in the GSDF implies a sacrifice of both time and money; time, because emergencies and requests for assistance are not predictable and money, because the GSDF member is responsible for the purchase of uniform items.

American Legion Auxiliary Richmond Unit #63
The American Legion Auxiliary is the largest patriotic women’s service organization in the world, with nearly one million members. Affiliated with the American Legion, the Auxiliary is a veterans service organization with members in nearly 10,000 American Communities. The organization sponsors volunteer programs on the national and local levels, focusing on three major areas: Veterans, young people and the community.

Auxiliary members believe in the ideals and principles of America’ s founding fathers and pledge to foster patriotism, preserve and defend the Constitution, promote allegiance expression and freedom of choice. The Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace and continues to stand firmly behind America today, just as it did when the organization was first founded.

The Auxiliary has conceived and implemented hundreds of programs for veterans, their families, young people, and the community. Many programs such as Girls State and Girls Nation have been expanded, creating commonly accepted institutions within the community and nation. In addition, the Auxiliary works with organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network, Fisher House and the Red Cross.
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Auxiliary volunteers are the backbone of assistance in 171 VA Medical Centers. The Auxiliary raises more than $18 Million every year and reinvests these funds in VA Medical Centers and Community programs. These volunteers provide diversion and entertainment for patients and assist the hospital staff in physical and psychological therapy. There are more than 20 programs nationwide that receive support and financial aid from the American Legion Auxiliary. The Auxiliary is also a co-sponsor of VA’s National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

The services of the American Legion Auxiliary, directly and indirectly, touch the lives of all Americans. With the philosophy of "Service, not Self", the American Legion Auxiliary develops a strong spirit of volunteerism in its members, who have joined together in the fellowship of giving to others.

AMVETS 5 Augusta & Ladies Auxiliary
Formed in 1997, they are apart of the Department of Georgia AMVETS and National AMVETS. They support the VA hospitals, Child Welfare, Americanism, and the Community and help provide scholarships. Membership is open to anyone that has served in any branch of the military. President Lorie Williams and Commander Philip Arrington can be reached at 706/840-0953 for more information.

SGT. Harold F. Adkinson Chapter 255, Korean War Veterans Association
Chapter 255 was organized March 24, 2001. We were incorporated in the State of South Carolina on May 21, 2001. Our chapter is named after Sergeant Harold F. Adkinson who is MIA from the Korean War.

Regular Membership is open to anyone that served anywhere during the Korean War or who has served in Korea at any time. One must be a members of National in order to join a Chapter.

Associate Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the welfare of Korean War Veterans. One must be a member of National to join a Chapter. We meet on the third Saturdays at 2:00p, except during December, at the Masonic Lodge in Langley South Carolina.

Our Chapter has volunteers that serve coffee and donuts to patients waiting to see the doctor at the VA Hospital, Downtown Division; and at the new clinic in Aiken.

We support the Student Summer Volunteer Program at the V.A.

Our Chapter is a member of the Aiken County Veterans Association.

We are a member Chapter of the Department of South Carolina, KWVA.