Have you ever had chills go up your spine just by looking at the American flag? That's what happened to most of us as we saw the Miller County Elementary School turn out to welcome one of our local heroes home from the war in Iraq.
Sgt. Terry Williams came home Friday, April 28, 2006, sometime between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
If it hadn't been for the large banner in front of the jail welcoming Sgt. Williams and all the troops of the 48th Brigade home and a few yellow ribbons around town, he would have just ridden in without a thank you.
Thanks to our Colquitt Elementary School teachers and students, this solider coming home from war felt like he was much loved, thanked for what he has done and respected.
After serving a year in Iraq, the first of over 4000 members of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Brigade has been flown into Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, and started leaving Fort Stewart to enjoy a long awaited homecoming with their friends and loved ones.
Sgt. Williams was working with the Miller County Sheriff's Department in Colquitt when his unit was activated and sent to Iraq. He is a member of the 2nd Battalion-121st Infantry Regiment.
We all welcome our troops home and wish them well as they enjoy coming home and being with their loved ones and friends.
Put a yellow ribbon out and thank these soldiers for the job they have done and the sacrifices they and their families have made.
When the news first came out that the 48th Brigade troops were coming home, the first person who came to many of the Colquitt folks’ minds was our hometown favorite Sgt. Terry Williams.”
Principal Kent Richardson and his friendly faculty put the “Welcoming Home” in motion. The Good Citizens of the month gathered around the inside of the circle, and the rest of the students gathered around the outside of the circle at the Miller County Elementary School, chanting “USA, USA, USA, USA, USA” as Sheriff Buddy Glass and 911 Supervisor Ruth Merritt escorted Sgt. Williams and his lovely wife, Pam, to the front of the principal’s office.
Waiting for Sgt. Williams was his grandson, Jason Williams, holding a big bouquet of red, white, and blue flowers embossed with an American ribbon.
The students were on their best behavior. They stayed where they were supposed to just right until Sgt. Williams exited his vehicle. The young people then swamped this soldier who came home.
They covered him with large posters, letters and signs telling him how proud they were of him. The young people almost made this tough, seasoned soldier well up with tears he was so touched by their love and esteem.
When the motorcade left the school, Sgt. Williams and his wife, Pam could hardly get in their vehicle for the large showering of posters, letters and cards. He must have felt like a great celebrity as the young people hugged, kissed and asked him for his autograph.
It was a homecoming that Sgt. Williams will never forget.
The motorcade then went to the Miller County Jail, where he was warmly greeted by his former co-workers.
Several hundred photos of this event were placed on the newspaper website www.millercountyliberal.com
These photos can't possibly show what went on, but they can give you an idea of how proud we should be of our students, our teachers, our administrators and especially our soldiers.
Welcome Home!

With the exception of one local race, the qualifying/primary election/general election is over. With the exception of one local race, every office will have a new officer in it on January 1, 2007.
Of the four local races, two for county commissioner and two for members of the board of education, the only one that drew opposition was District Two County Commissioner race.
Incumbent commissioner, Kreg Freeman did not offer for reelection. The three candidates that are vying for that office are Michael Middleton Jr., Max Bryan Wells and Barbie Womble. Michael Middleton Jr. came by the office Monday to tell us that he decided that he would not offer for the commissioner seat, so there are two.
District Two Board of Education incumbent, Vicki Merritt will succeed herself and will be the only incumbent to stay in office.
District Four Board of Education member incumbent Jack Nicholson, who did not offer for re-election, will be replaced by Sheila P. Freeman, who had no opposition.
District Four County Commissioner incumbent, India Taylor, who did not offer for re-election, will be replaced by G. C. Jinks Jr. who did not have opposition.
There will be a number of state offices that will have opposition in the General Primary or the General Election.
State House of Representative
Incumbent State Representative, Gerald E. Greene qualified in the Democratic Primary for District 158.
State Senate
Incumbent Senator John Bulloch of Ochlocknee qualified as a Republican for the District 11 seat.
Marjean Boyd of Bainbridge, qualified as a Democratic candidate for the State Senate District 11 seat.
Governor of Georgia
Bainbridge native Cathy Cox, incumbent Secretary of State, incumbent Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor of Albany; and Mac McCarley, a retired Navy veteran from Stockbridge, all qualified to run for governor in the Democratic Primary on July 18.
Incumbent Governor, Sonny Perdue and Ray McBerry qualified for the governor's race as Republicans. The winner of the Republican Primary will meet the winner of the Democratic Primary for Governor in the General Election on November 7.
U.S. Congressman
Incumbent U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop of Columbus qualified as a candidate in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat from Georgia's Second District .
Bradley C. Hughes, a minister from Blakely, has qualified in the Republican Primary for the 2nd District U.S. Representative seat.
There are a number of state races that we have not been able to confirm with the election division.

On Friday, April 28, senior Sharonda Bullard signed with South Georgia Tech of Americus with her grandmother Dorothy Bullard, MCHS Head Coach Robert Melton, Assistant Coach Marianne Melton, MCHS Principal --Ginger Webster, Athletic Director Frank Killingsworth, RSO Melody Diamond, and South Ga. Tech Head Coach Brandon Harrell looking on. When Sharonda was asked if she was excited, she stated, “She was nervous, but excited.”
Bullard was a four year starter for the Lady Pirates. She made second string All Region her freshman, sophomore, and junior years and 2005-2006 1st Team Region 1A. Sharonda averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds in 2005-06. Also the Lady Pirates qualified for the state tournament all four years of her tenure. Actually the Lady Pirates have reached the state tournament six consecutive years in a row.
Coach Robert Melton stated, “Sharonda had a great senior season and an outstanding career here at Miller County High. With lots of hard work, I think she can have a successful college career. Marianne and I wish her the best of luck.”
The Miller County schools have been producing quality academic and sports students for many, many years. This is not done without hard work, talent and the desire to be the best at what they do. The coaches and teachers have much to do with the success.
Sharonda, everyone here in Miller County-Colquitt, Georgia, wish you the best at South Georgia Tech. Show ’em what you can do!

The third annual Relay for Life was held this past weekend at Spring Creek Park.
The relay got underway at 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 28, with Jill Brown, co-chairman of the overall event giving the opening remarks. She thanked everyone for being there and told what Relay for Life was all about. The Rev. David Womack of Bellview Free Will Baptist Church gave the opening prayer for the event, followed by Tess McFay singing the National Anthem.
Co-chair Jill Brown then recognized each committee member. They were: Co-Chair, Margaret Ann Daniels; Team Recruitment Chairman, Martiele Pickle; Survivorship Chair, Sharon Daniels; Team Registration Chair, Tammy Richardson; Luminaria Chair, Suzette Little; Entertainment & Logistics Chair, Cory Thomas; Corpoorate Sponsorship Chairs, Shawn Whittaker and Angie Wilson; Activities Chair, Niki Nixon; and Publicity Chair, Betty Jo Toole. She then recognized the team captains and the corporate sponsors for the event. They were Bellview Free Will Baptist Church, team captain Lynn Brown; Colquitt United Methodist Church, team captain, Martiele Pickle; Miller County Hospital and Miller Nursing Home, team captain, Emily Brown; PeopleSouth Bank, co-captains, Mandy Pace and Dawn Black.
The corporate sponsors were Ameris, Birdsong Peanuts, Construction CGM, Inc., First State Bank, Grow Drug Company, Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church, Miller County Hospital and Miller Nursing Home, and PeopleSouth Bank.
Mr. Kelly Summers was then asked to tell his survival story followed by Sharon Daniels, Survival Chairperson, recognizing all survivors in attendance. As their names were called, they were asked to please take the walking track. After each name was called, the survivors and their families were asked to lead the banner as “Relay for Life” got underway. Tess McFay sang “Hope You Dance” as the survivors made the first lap around the park.
The near perfect weather was just right for the great entertainment by groups such as Sounds of Joy, Tera Womack, and the Bellview Praise Team.
In a very impressive ceremony, family members present then begin to light the luminaries in honor and memory of loved ones. The team captains lit the remaining luminaries.
Suzette Little introduced the guest speaker, Mrs. Veryl Garland Cockey. She told of her fight and victory over the dreaded disease, cancer. After Mrs. Cockey’s speech, the names of the luminary recipients were called by Mayor Jerry Chapman, Kent Richardson, Rev. David Womack, and Randy Clenney. Prayer followed by the Rev. Walter Daniels, pastor of Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church. “Go Light Your World” by Tera Womack was then sung.
The Luminary Service brought in $2660.00. A total of $26,171.58 was raised to help fight the disease.
Cory Thomas did a super job on the auctioning of some of the finest cakes you’ll ever put in your mouth. They were baked and donated by Tubby Dancer, and the auction brought as much as $200.00 for some of the cakes.
After this, the fun and games began for the night. A karaoke and lip sync, sack race, three-legged race, movie trivia, bingo, egg toss, limbo, line dancing, and potato race were some of the fun activities that went on during the night.
It was a night filled with fun and excitement for the ones that stayed.
On Saturday morning, April 29, the closing ceremony was held, and the awards were presented. The team winning the Overall Spirit Award was the Colquitt United Methodist Church Youth, followed by Bellview placing second. The Best Tent Award went to Bellview Free Will Baptist Church. The Colquitt United Methodist Church received second place.
At 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, the survivors’ breakfast was held at Tarrer Inn. It was sponsored by Creek Bank Farms.
See almost 500 photos taken at the 2006 Relay for Life at www.millercountyliberal.com

The Miller County Ministerial Fellowship will host the Baccalaureate Service at Colquitt Free Will Baptist Church Sunday, May 7, at 6:00 p.m.
The Rev. Robert Johns, pastor of Flat Creek Baptist Church, will be the speaker.
All graduating seniors of 2006, along with their families, are cordially invited to this service.
All participating seniors are requested to be at the church by 5:30 p.m. for photos and lining up for the march into the sanctuary.

Winston Trively has been hired by the Miller County Recreation Authority to oversee operations at Crooked Oak Golf Course. Winston brings 17 years of experience in the golf industry to his position. “I believe Winston will do an outstanding job for us and the people of Miller County” said John Martin, chairman of the Miller County Recreation Authority Board of Directors.
“I am looking forward to living and working here in Colquitt,” said Winston. “Crooked Oak is tremendous asset and amenity for the citizens of Miller County. We will work to provide a family atmosphere where everyone will feel comfortable and welcome. We will offer a variety of programs including instruction and tournaments for the enjoyment of the community.” Winston’s family includes his wife, Sher, and two sons, Zane (6) and Hunter (3).
Upcoming Schedule of Events for Crooked Oak:
May 4th – SGA Booster Club Golf Tournament
Open Registration
May 13th – Miller County Athletic Tournament
Open Registration
For more information on these events or to schedule an event, call 758-9200.

Week of April 30, 2006