Author and Retired Col. Greg Gadson To Speak At Black History Month Assembly

As reported yesterday by WNEG News, the Toccoa/Stephens County Public Library and the Stephens County School System are working in partnership to present a number of African American History Month programs for local youth.

Yesterday, reported on the month-long program being hosted in the county’s elementary schools, as well as presented on the Library’s social media accounts, highlighting African American inventors and innovators from both the local area, and beyond the county’s borders.

Later this month, Stephens County middle and high school students will also be able to take advantage of an event specifically geared to help celebrate African American History Month. 

Shantelle Grant, Regional Children and Youth Director with the Toccoa/Stephens County Public Library, told WNEG News that, in addition to the elementary school programs, there will be an African American Assembly held at the Stephens County Middle and High Schools later this month, with speaker Retired Colonel Greg Gadson. 

 

As WNEG News reported last October, during the fall and winter, the Stephens County High School Army JROTC program led a community fundraiser to raise funds in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation. 

Gary Sinise, perhaps most notable playing the role of LT Dan in the movie Forest Gump, founded the Gary Sinise Foundation to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Gary Sinise is also well known for his LT Dan Band that performs at USO shows, entertains troops, and raises money for disabled veterans and he is also the co-host of the annual National Memorial Day Concert, which takes place on the Mall in Washington, D.C. each year. Since his organization’s inception, over $300 million dollars have been raised to build mortgage free smart homes for our most severely wounded heroes, to provide financial assistance to veterans in need, and to provide essential equipment to our first responders. In 2008, Sinise was awarded the United States of America Presidential Citizens Medal  for his work with the USO and Operation Iraqi Children.he Presidential Citizens Medal is one of the highest honors the President can confer upon a civilian, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The SCHS JROTC program kicked off its several-month fundraising drive in early October, with the goal of presenting a sizable donation to Gadson, who is a Gary Sinise Foundation board member at the annual Black History Month assembly at Stephens County High School.

Gadson is a 1989 West Point classmate of SCHS Army JROTC Senior Instructor LTC (Ret) Lieutenant Colonel David Priatko. 

WNEG’s Phil Hobbs spoke at that time with Priatko regarding Gadson and the JROTC’s fundraiser.

 

COL (Ret) Gadson will speak to middle school and high school students sharing his personal story of inspiration, courage, and character. A former Army football player, Gadson was severely wounded while serving as a battalion commander in Iraq when his vehicle was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device.  His injuries were severe and his chance of survival were slim, but he not only survived but he has lived a full life of continued service to his nation despite losing both of his legs. His journey towards peace and purpose is chronicled in his book Finding Waypoints that has been recently published and is available on Amazon. 

Gadson is also known for the role he played in the movie Battleship with popular singer Rihanna and for his role in inspiring the New York Giants to two Super Bowl wins. The team attributed much of their success during those two championship seasons to Gadson’s inspiration and, for his efforts, they presented him two Super Bowl rings. Despite his busy speaking schedule serving with Thayer Leadership, a company of distinguished West Point graduates who train corporate leaders, and his personal speaking responsibilities, we are blessed to have a man of his stature and character come to Stephens County to speak to and to inspire our young people.  In lieu of charging his regular speaking fee, COL (Ret) Gadson has asked for and will accept a contribution to the Gary Sinise Foundation.  

Contributions to the Gary Sinise Foundation can be made by contacting LTC (Ret) David Priatko at [email protected] or (706) 587-2297. Either cash or checks made out to SCHS JROTC will be accepted and placed in a special account established for this fundraising drive.  

Grant said the students are looking forward to the event, and took time to thank a number of individuals who have contributed to putting together the assembly, including students.