FOCUS: Two from Gwinnett to be honored for military service

By Army Col. Rick White

COLUMBUS, Ga.  |  Two Gwinnett County residents are to be inducted in the Class of 2024 of the Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame (GMVHOF) here on Saturday, November 2.  With the induction of the 15 members of the 2024 class, it will mean that 193 Georgia veterans will have been inducted since the program began. The ceremony will be held at the Saint Luke Methodist Church of Columbus. 

Walters

Rowser

The inductees from Gwinnett are Army Sgt. Major Preston Rowser of Duluth, under the category of valor, during the Vietnam War, to be awarded posthumously, and Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class James Edward Walters of Snellville, under the category of service.

The GMVHOF Class of 2024 is the twelfth (12th) annual class inducted since the inception of the non-profit organization in 2013. 

Others to be inducted in the 2024 ceremony include: 

• Army Private First Class Alfred William Campo of Toccoa, for valor; Korean War, posthumously.
• Army Capt. Ralph C. Colley of Dahlonega, for valor, Vietnam War, posthumously.
• Army Brig. Gen. Fred Wilber Collins of St. Simons Island, for valor, World War II, posthumously.
• Army 1st Sgt. Joseph Michael Conley of Canton, for valor, Vietnam War.
• Army 1st Lt. Virginia Lee Dornheggen of Eatonton, for service, Vietnam War.
• Navy Capt. Edward Emil Ettei III of Marietta, for service, Vietnam War.
• Army Lt. Col. Richard David James of St. Simons Island, for service, Vietnam War.
• Army Col. John Terrell Lawrence of Douglasville, for valor, Vietnam War, posthumously.
• Army Lt. Col. Charles John Mendoza of Waverly Hall, for valor, Vietnam War.
• Marine Corps Capt. Edward Harold Ressler of Marietta, for valor, Vietnam War, posthumously.
• Air Force Capt. Steven Robert Ryf of Johns Creek, for valor, Vietnam War.
• Army Col. Richard Harry Taylor of Kennesaw, for valor, Vietnam War, posthumously.
• Army Lt. Gen. James Lewis Terry of Chatsworth, for achievement, during the Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan period.

The 12th annual GMVHOF induction ceremony and banquet will be in Columbus, on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 beginning at noon in the Saint Luke Ministry Center, which is located at 301 11th Street. 

This annual event is open to the public. Ticket prices are Individual, $55; table of eight for $400; and table of ten for $500. For reservations, call or email the GMVHOF Induction Ceremony and Banquet Attendee Coordinator, Ms. Debbie Freeman at 706-575-9173 (after 5 p.m.) or email her at Debbie.Freeman77@Gmail.com.

Those wishing to attend should order tickets soon, since the event usually sells out relatively quickly.

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