Bobby Godwin, commander of Dexter Allen American Legion Post 90, received the first Statesboro Veteran of the Year award during the city’s Veterans Day observance. The award was introduced by Post 90 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10825 to recognize Godwin’s work connecting local veterans with mental-health resources.
The organizations held their annual ceremony Nov. 11 at Emma Kelly Theater. The program included poetry, history lessons and music.
Featured speaker Lt. Col. Damion Hunter, a new military science professor at Georgia Southern University, described how an encounter with a veteran at an airport helped turn his plan to serve five years after attending the U.S. Military Academy into a military career. Hunter said the experience influenced his practice of making time to speak with people.
Brooks Adams, Post 90’s finance officer, said the Legion and VFW have held the joint ceremony for about a decade. He described it as an opportunity to encourage fellowship and community involvement, including for Vietnam and Korean War veterans who may feel less connected. After the ceremony, attendees were invited to the Post for lunch at no charge.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
