Some people honor quietly and privately.
Others choose to express their gratitude with public displays of remembrance.
For the July Fourth holiday, we spotlight a handful of local residents whose dedication to patriotism is steadfast.
‘Hug Lady' greets troops at airport
Everyone knows not to schedule Bette Rose Bowers to do anything on the third Thursday of the month.
That’s her standing date as a volunteer at the USO Jean Amos Center in Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta and the day that, “The USO comes ahead of everything.”
For about six years, Bowers, a resident of Atlanta and Commerce, has driven to the airport at least once a month -- she would go more often if needed, but there is currently a waiting list of volunteers -- to greet incoming and outgoing soldiers as part of the USO's program.
She approaches the ones returning with a big smile and a “Welcome home, soldier” message.
With the ones leaving for war, she’ll try to make topical chitchat.
“Depending where they’re from, I might ask if they’re a [Washington] Redskins fan or whatever comes to mind. I’m not the shy, quiet type,” Bowers said.
Standing on her feet from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. is tiring, but rewarding.
“I feel like I’ve done something good because they’ve done something far better than what I’ve done,” she said.
Over the years, Bowers, 69, has garnered the nickname “The Hug Lady” for her inclination to wrap every soldier in her arms for a few seconds, a gesture that she believes is appreciated.
“To hug their necks and say ‘thank you,’ that’s the least I can do,” she said.
Bowers’ grandfather, father and husband are retired military, her son was a reservist and her grandson is serving in the Army in Iraq.
Her family military ties are one inspiration for her dedication to her monthly greeting stint.
Her other motivation is that she remembers when the soldiers returned home from Vietnam and there was no one waiting to acknowledge them.
“You try to get to every single one of them,” Bowers said. “You don’t want to let anyone get by.”
Float pays tribute to Vietnam veterans
Gene Tatum says his service in Vietnam more than 43 years ago is validated each year he appears in Marietta’s Independence Day parade.
The Kennesaw resident and his wife, Gayle, portray an Army soldier and nurse on the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance float that is a crowd favorite.
They didn’t know what to expect eight years ago at their first parade.
“I heard people applauding and hollering,” Gene Tatum said. “It was so moving to see veterans saluting and people with hands over their hearts.”
Marietta special events planner Maggi Moss said the parade entry draws a strong reaction from the public every year.
Tatum said the support makes up for the welcome he didn't receive after he came back from Vietnam. The McEachern High School graduate said he was a scared, round-faced 19-year-old during his year tour. He remembers his first firefight the day he arrived and later recovering from shrapnel wounds after stepping on a trip wire. He was back on duty two weeks later.
The float represents the sacrifice and camaraderie of servicemen and women serving in the Vietnam War. The float has seven men and women portraying the statues of three servicemen and three nurses, one tending a wounded soldier, that are at the Vietnam War Memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Tatum's role is the statue with the M-60 machine gun across his shoulders. Dwight Cole and Wayne McKendree play the other servicemen. Kathy Lemley and Donna Rowe portray the other nurses, and Bob Humphries' role is the wounded soldier.
Standing still as a statue for almost an hour while carrying a 28-pound machine gun isn’t easy in blistering heat, Tatum said.
“It’s an honor though for us to be there,” he added. “It keeps our message going.”
The group also has been in Marietta and Atlanta Veterans Day parades.
Marietta’s parade starts at 10 a.m. Monday at Roswell Street Baptist Church and ends at Cherokee Street and North Marietta Parkway.
Retired soldier brings history to life for kids
For James Lynch, the American Revolution is in his genes.
The Snellville resident has a total of nine ancestors who were involved in the Revolutionary War.
"There were three or four of my family members who fought with George Washington," said Lynch, who can trace the roots of family back to 1107. "It's a part of my family history."
Lynch, 71, has such a passion for early American history that he became a member of the Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) six years ago. Dressed in full period uniforms, Lynch and other members of the SAR visit elementary schools all over the state teaching young people about the importance of patriotism.
"People need to remember and understand the principles this country was founded under," he said. "[Patriotism's] just not taught in schools like it used to be. Teachers don't have time to cover it."
The Fourth of July is also special to Lynch because he has worn a different uniform for this country.
"I'm very passionate about the well-being and freedom of this country," he said. "I spent 45 years in the Army."
Lynch won't be wearing any sort of uniform Monday as he and his wife of nearly 41 years, Maeve, plan on celebrating Independence Day at the American Legion post in Snellville.
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