The 3rd Annual Honor Bus Tour departed from Newnan Nov. 11, taking 36 United States veterans from the Newnan and Peachtree City areas to the National Infantry Museum in Columbus.
The tour was designed to celebrate and salute members of all branches of the military for their dedication and service to this country. Complimentary transportation was provided to the museum by host Batson-Cook Construction along with a guided tour and lunch.
Veterans were greeted at the museum by a company from the Army Officer Candidate School (OCS). The soldiers lined the walkway of the entrance to the museum, silently saluting their predecessors. According to Col. (Ret) and Executive Vice President of the National Infantry Foundation Greg Camp, this poignant moment combined both the legacy of the infantry with the future of the infantry.
After posing for photos under the “Follow Me” statue, the men were taken on a guided tour through the extensive museum.
“The exhibits were great,” commented Doug Field, a Vietnam veteran from Peachtree City. “They brought back a lot of memories.”
Added Bruce Tonn, a Peachtree City veteran who served in Korea during the Vietnam War, “There was a tremendous amount of history in each of the displays.”
The final point on the itinerary was the visit to the World War II Company Street. Here, the group was able to tour seven buildings that represented life at a 1940s Army post.
While breaking for lunch, Tonn stated, “It is nice that a company will take the time and effort to honor the veterans. Batson-Cook did an outstanding job treating us to this tour and showing appreciation for our efforts.”
