Pleasant Hill Community celebrates Veterans Day at Linwood Cemetery

Cars zipped along Walnut Street and a layer of mist settled over nearby headstones as folks gathered in Pleasant Hill’s Historic Linwood Cemetery for the annual Veterans Day ceremony.

Pleasant Hill native and retired law enforcement officer Phill Sullivan spoke about the sacrifices veterans made and the importance of honoring their service. 

“While we slumbered and slept, they were serving,” he said. 

Stanley Stewart, District 3 Commissioner for Macon-Bibb County, also took a moment to honor the veterans and reflect on Linwood as a place for community. 

“It’s a collective effort that makes us go forward and there’s a fine line that connects us all through history,” Stewart, who has a great-grandfather, grandmother and other relatives buried in Linwood, said.

Not far from the Veterans Day gathering, Rodney M. Davis — Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and former Pleasant Hill resident —is laid to rest in Linwood.

Captain Robert Strong and Sergeant Benjamin Dishmond, two members of the Macon-Bibb Fire Department performed the presentation of colors. Carliyah Payne, 14, from Ballard Hudson Middle School and the Bibb County 4-H Club sang the national anthem. 

Sullivan honored several veterans who were asked to stand and be recognized.

“I’ll be thinking about my fellow soldiers. Thinking about my dad — my dad was a soldier,” U.S. Army Specialist 4 Greg Whithy told The Melody. 

Monday is also a time to celebrate freedom in the United States, said Whithy, who served in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1982.

Maconite and retired Sgt.  Jimmie Orange placed the ceremonial wreath. Orange served in the medical company with the National Guard, but went back to service after 9-11. He retired in Augusta but comes to Macon every Veterans Day. 

“All the soldiers — past present and future —  I give them all the respect I can give them,” he said, hoping those folks are never forgotten.