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Americus Times-Recorder
VOL. 139 NO. 298
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
75 CENTS
Remember. Honor. Teach.
TRACY K. HALL
Some days we tend to forget ourselves. We tend to forget how special we are. I guess that is not unusual for the human condition. On some days our mirrors only show us where we are less than perfect. But on other days, we come to the table overwhelmed by our goodness. Last Thursday, October 28, proved to be one of the days we got a glimpse of just how awesome we are. There was a group of Sumter Countians gathered in the dining hall at GSW. As we ate our fried chicken and peach cobbler, we heard all about us– from voices not our own. Representatives from the Taylor Family Foundation who are working hand in hand with Wreaths Across America told us of one of our treasures. The Andersonville National Historic Site, and the cemetery which makes up part of the site is, in fact, precious ground. Most of us know the story of how we got Andersonville, what it meant to the men who were prisoners there, what it meant to the country and some of us even know what it meant to the citizens of Sumter County while it was
Please consider making a donation to support Wreaths Across America this holiday season. Donations specifically made to Andersonville can be made at www.wreathsacrossamerica.ord/GA0213 in active operation. However, sometimes we think the story stops in 1865. Today, many of our neighbors and their spouses are
buried there because they served as well. Andersonville has been sacred ground since the 1860’s and with each new internment, there is another
chapter of the story unfolding. What do the citizens of Sumter County do in 2021? How do we view such a rich history today? The Wreaths Across America
suggests we do three things when standing on the ground of such a site. We remember, we spend a little time invested in the lives which invested in ours. We honor, we recognize there are some who are so dedicated to the most basic principals of what it means to live free it deserves a lingering to honor. And we teach. We don’t try to rewrite a history, we don’t add to the story, we don’t take away from it, we teach it, just at it was so another generation can have the story to hold. Remember. Honor. Teach. Wreaths Across America practices these three things every day. However, you have an opportunity to join in their efforts. It is, after all, our back yard their work benefits. You will see their efforts around Christmas. This year, on December 18, at 12 noon, a ceremony which remembers, honors and teaches about the lives of our service men and women will begin. As part of this ceremony, a wreath will be laid on every eligible service members’ marker. It makes for a beautiful site, and some
SEE REMEMBER, Page A2
INSIDE WEATHER ............................................. A2 OPINIONS ............................................. A4 KIDS PAGE ........................................... A5 AREA BEAT ........................................... A6 SPORTS.................................................. B1
TODAY’S WEATHER Mostly sunny High 71 Low 53
Downtown Americus Hosts Downtown Tailgate AMERICUS, GA FIRST FRIDAY Event- On Friday, November 5th, Americus will hold its monthly “First Friday” downtown-wide open house. The theme for this month’s First Friday
is “Downtown Tailgate!” Attendees will have the opportunity to sample “tailgate specials” from businesses throughout downtown. Downtown merchants will have discounts, samples,
giveaways, and more! Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with most shops and businesses staying open until 8 p.m. “First Friday After Dark” continues the festivities into the night after 8 p.m.
Everyone is invited to come dressed representing their favorite team in their tailgating paraphernalia and experience the city’s art,
SEE DOWNTOWN, Page A2
Kinetic by Windstream and Sumter EMC Team Up to Expand Broadband Access Across Rural Georgia PLAINS, Ga. – Kinetic and Sumter EMC announced a working agreement to deliver fiber broadband to 16,000 homes and businesses in Southwest Georgia. The unique collaboration means over the next four years, Kinetic will build approximately 1,000 miles of fiber-optic cable across eleven counties. “Building reliable, ultrafast internet service in rural areas requires collaboration and public-private partner-
ships,” said Tony Thomas, President and CEO of Windstream. “Kinetic by Windstream will accelerate our deployment of fiber broadband throughout rural Georgia through this unique collaboration with Sumter EMC. We also are working with counties across the state to expand broadband through the Georgia Broadband Program. At Windstream, we
SEE KINETIC, Page A3
Sumter EMC President Rene Smith
(855) 540-LIFE (5433) www.magnoliamanor.com
Mattie H. Marshall Memory Care Center
y t i n u m m o C A of ! g n i v i L d n a e Lif