To the editor: Thank you so much for your excellent coverage of our community’s Homecoming Celebration of our local National Guard unit. It was a celebration befitting our local heroes’ return after their year of service in Afghanistan. The Military Affairs Committee of the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce coordinated all aspects of the program and included so many of our community it’s impossible to name them all, but there are quite a few I would like to mention for their service “above and beyond.”

This list is made up of people and organizations that include our master of ceremonies, General Griffin Bill Thielemann; the American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary; the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary; The Kiwanis Club of Griffin; The Marine Corps League; Carver Road Baptist Church; The city of Griffin; Spalding County; Bruce Ballard and the Griffin-Spalding County School System; Morris Pike and the Griffin Police Department; the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office; Griffin Fire-Rescue; Spalding County Fire Department, James Jenkins and Kip Wise made contributions that assisted with the celebration.

Also involved in the welcome home was the Spalding County 4-H national equestrian champions, who did a special performance at the fairgrounds, the Family Readiness Group and the media. The Griffin Daily News, WKEU, WHIE, WJGA, Fun 101 and Griffin Journal gave great coverage. This doesn’t cover everyone, and I apologize if I’ve left anyone out because there were so many patriots and volunteers that made this celebration a great success. Our thanks to all who attended.

Once again Griffin and Spalding County has shown its true colors and patriotism by displaying how much we appreciate these young men and women who have volunteered to defend our country and keep our families safe. This has once again made me proud to be called a “Griffinite.” Welcome home 2nd of the 121st, God bless you and your families, and may God continue to bless America.

JIM KING

Chairman 2010

Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce