By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
The congregation of Atmore First Assembly hosted their 30th annual patriotic presentation “Celebration of Freedom” Sunday, June 30. The program is always held the Sunday before July 4th, and it’s an excellent way to usher in America’s birthday.
Each year, veterans are honored in general and a few are selected for individual recognition. This year seven veterans were honored. This year was unique in that a husband and wife (the Moores) and a father and son (the Bakers) were honored.
First Assembly Pastor Bro. Don Davis presented plaques of appreciation to the following:
* Staff Sgt. E-6 Clifford Wayne Baker served in the US Army in Korea Expeditionary Forces, 1969-1971, and Co A 711 Sig Bn 1968-1993.
He earned the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Army Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze 10 Yr. Dev., Faithful Service Medal of Alabama with 4/Bronze, Saint Andrews Crosses, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Num 2 Army Lapel Button.
* Senior Airman E-4 Scottie W. Baker served in the US Air Force in Ramstein, Germany and at Travis AFB, California. He served from 1994 to 2001.
He earned the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the Air Force Training Ribbon, the Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon / Rifle, the NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one device, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three devices.
* SGT. E-5 Benjamin C. Dunlap served in the US Army (Airborne) from 2005 to 2018. He served in Iraq, Africa Command Kenya, Djibouti, US Embassy, Nairobi.
He earned the Army Commendation Medal (Fourth Award), Army Achievement Medal (Third Award), Navy Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (Third Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Star, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Third Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge (Airborne).
Mr. Dunlap served with the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment and Psychological Operation, Psychological Specialist 7th Military Support Battalion. He was deployed three times to Africa Command with assignments at US Embassy Nairobi / Camp Lemonier Djibouti.
* Second Class Petty Officer R. Howard Metts served in the US Navy on Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Forrestal, Mediterranean Sea. F-4 Phantoms and A-4 Skyhawks Aircraft utilized the Forrestal’s deck.
Mr. Metts served from 1969 to 1973. He received the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Mr. Metts, who has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, was hospitalized in Montgomery and was unable to attend Sunday’s service. His plaque was accepted by his brother and sister, Paul Metts and Kate Waters.
* Gene Autry Moore Jr. served in the US Army from 1983 to 2007. he served in the Philippines, Panama, Korea, and Japan.
Mr. Moore received the Good Conduct Medal (Seventh Award), National Defense Medal, Korea Defense Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Medal (Fourth Award), Overseas Service Ribbon (Fourth Award). Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Parachutist Badge with Bronze Service Star (Combat Badge Tabs), Air Assault Badge, Defense Service Medal (Second Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (Second Award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (Third Award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Soldier Presented US. Flag.
Mr. Moore served in a Designated Imminent Danger Area.
* Rotongia Denel Moore served in the US Army in Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. She served from 1992 to 2012.
Ms. Moore earned the Meritorious Service Medal (Second Award), the Army Commendation Medal (Sixth Award), Army Achievement Medal (Fifth Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation (Third Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (Sixth Award), National Defense Service Medal (Third Award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Third Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Sixth Award), Driver and Mechanic Badge, Soldier Presented US Flag.
Ms. Moore served in a Designated Imminent Danger Area.
* Specialist E-4 M. Douglas Waters served in the US Army in Germany and in Braconne, France.
He received the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Overseas Ribbon. He was named Soldier of the Month with the 11th General Medical Dispensary, Braconne.
Mr. Waters served from 1956 to 1959.