The Rock Creek Veterans Group recently placed crosses around Gainesville in honor of Hall County veterans for Memorial Day.
Johnny Hulsey with Rock Creek Veterans said on WDUN’s Drive at 5 the Rock Creek Veterans was started in 2002 with 22 members.
“Well, it all began I had three of my buddies from East Hall High was killed in Vietnam. That's how it all started,” Hulsey said. “And then I started working with Mr. Pete Davenport from Little and Davenport Funeral Home in 2004 to get names of veterans that was killed in action, you know from World War One and beyond. And the 168 is a total number that was killed in action from Hall County.”
Hulsey said The Rock Creek Veterans teamed up with the Rotary Club of Hall County to put up the markers.
“We teamed up with those guys about 10 months ago because we have lost so many of our members, we're down to 10 right now. Our members just passed away, and us guys are getting old and not able to do it anymore. So we teamed up with the Rotary Club of Hall County and we've got some young blood in there to help out now and what a blessing it has been,” Hulsey said. “It came about from the American Legion, in Dahlonega, Georgia, how they place markers on Veterans Day and Memorial Day around the square and on the streets of Dahlonega.”
Hulsey said Diane Cammarata with the Rotary Club of Hall County came up with the idea to bring the tradition to Gainesville.
Placing the markers takes around two and a half hours to complete Hulsey said.
“So there's 104 markers at Rock Creek Veteran Park. That represents all the killed-in-action soldiers from Hall County and a total of 146 on Green Street and that represents most of the World War I and World War II veterans killed in action. There are a few veteran's names on Green Street that are veterans who passed away not too long ago. So there's a total right now. 258 markers.”
Rock Creek Veterans will hold a ceremony on Sunday, May 26 at 2:00 p.m. to remember fallen soldiers at Rock Creek Veteran Park. Hulsey said everyone is invited to attend the ceremony.
Markers are $100 each and are placed on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. To find out more information on Rock Creek Veterans call Hulsey at 706-894-1344.
