CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Habersham County Board of Commissioners recognized a local veterans honor guard and proclaimed August 2026 National Emergency Management Awareness Month during Monday’s meeting.
Honor guard recognized
Commissioner Dustin Mealor presented a special recognition to the Grant-Reeves Veterans Honor Guard for its service to veterans, their families and communities throughout Northeast Georgia.
The honor guard represents four veterans service organizations and six chartered groups from Habersham and surrounding counties, according to the proclamation read by Mealor.
The participating organizations include VFW Post 7720, American Legion Post 84, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15, VFW Post 4570, American Legion Post 220 and the VFW Post 7720 Auxiliary.
VFW Post 7720 serves as the honor guard’s parent organization, providing accountability and helping supply and equip the group.
The honor guard performs approximately 100 full military honors each year for fallen veterans, while also participating in patriotic and community events throughout Habersham, Stephens, Rabun and White counties.
Those events include Wreaths Across America, National Day of Prayer, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, Veterans Day, 13-fold flag ceremonies and school programs.
Mealor said the group also played an important role in the county’s recent 250th anniversary celebration and its Aug. 7 Purple Heart Appreciation Day ceremony.
The honor guard’s members were recognized for providing military honors at funerals and supporting grieving families without seeking recognition or compensation.
“Their military service may have ended, but their commitment to their fellow veterans and their country never did,” Mealor said.
Mealor recognized the individual members of the honor guard and thanked them for their continued service to veterans and the community.
He said their work helps preserve military traditions and teaches younger generations about patriotism, sacrifice, duty and respect.
Emergency management recognized
Commissioner Ty Akins presented a proclamation recognizing August 2026 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Habersham County.
The proclamation recognizes the work of emergency management professionals, public safety agencies, community partners, volunteers, private organizations and state and federal agencies involved in preparing for and responding to emergencies and disasters.
The proclamation notes that emergencies and disasters can threaten lives, property, the environment and essential community services.
It also recognizes the five mission areas of emergency management: prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery.
The Habersham County Emergency Management Agency coordinates resources, plans and partnerships to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate emergencies affecting the county.
Melanie Bellinger, director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency and 911 operations, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the agency.
The Board of Commissioners encouraged residents, businesses, agencies and community organizations to recognize the work of emergency management professionals and their partners.
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