Harger Named Associate of the Year for Marines

William “Bill” Harger was named as the Associate of the Year for the Sgt Clyde Thomason Medal of Honor Detachment #1325 of the Marine Corps League. Harger, who resides in Fayetteville with his wife, is a veteran of the United States Navy and spent much of his career  in the company of Marines. For over six years, Harger was extremely active in the Detachment’s Toys for Tots program, which, in 2025, delivered toys to almost 8,000 children in a seven-county area, especially in Fayette and Coweta counties. Harger currently serves as Sergeant-at-Arms for the detachment. Harger recently attended the 2026 Department of Georgia Convention of the Marine Corps League and set up an impressive display regarding the attack on the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. 

  The 1983 Beirut barracks bombing was a devastating terrorist attack that occurred in October 1983 during the Lebanese Civil War. Two truck bombs driven by suicide bombers struck buildings housing multinational peacekeeping forces, killing 241 American service members—220 Marines, 18 sailors, and 3 soldiers—and 58 French paratroopers.

The presentation of the Associate of the Year Award was given by incoming Commandant, David Epps (left), Senoia, and outgoing Commandant Jeff White (at right), Peachtree City. This was the first Associate of the Year Award given in the detachment’s history.