Thompsons Boast Nearly 50 Years of Combined Service
Nov. 11 is a national holiday designed to honor the veterans who have and are so tirelessly serving our country. “Thank you for your service,” is an expression one hears often.
There is a local couple, retired Air Force Senior Master Sgts. (E8) Tommy and Robernetta Thompson of Canton, who say the opposite: “Thank you for allowing us to serve. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to protect our families and our country.” They agreed that if our country needed them today, they would reenlist.
The two have more than 24 years of service each in the Air Force. Tommy, a native of Pittsburg, Texas, followed in his older brother’s footsteps by enlisting in the Air Force after high school. During his tenure, he served in the Vietnam War and completed three tours in Saudi Arabia, supporting Desert Storm/Desert Shield. His job was that of crew chief of several B-52 aircraft models. Later, he became maintenance manager on RC-135, KC-135, EC-135 and U-2 aircrafts.
Robernetta’s first attempt to join the armed forces failed because she was too small, but once she gained the pounds, she enlisted in the Air Force and was off to a successful career. First, this Chattanooga, Tennessee, native was assigned to vehicle operations. From there, she went into training administration. She also served in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm/Desert Shield and at different bases around the world.
Tommy and Robernetta first met in England at Mildenhall Air Force Base. Later, they met again when they were assigned to Osan Air Force Base in Korea. They were married in July 1994, creating a blended family.
Now, they are enjoying retirement. “We spend our time playing games, watching TV, cruising, traveling, enjoying the grandkids and looking forward to the next day.” Tommy added: “The military allowed us to see the world, and we would like to continue that journey.”
– Margaret Miller has been a resident of Cherokee County for the past decade. Her writing hobby led her to become a columnist for community and daily newspapers.
Support for Veterans in Cherokee County
The Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program is a 501(c)(19) nonprofit and part of the American Legion in Cherokee County, Georgia. The focus is assisting homeless veterans in our community who need help with food, limited housing, clothing, claims, home of record and other support. Visit the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program Facebook page or email Jim Lindenmayer at jlindenmayer80@gmail.com.
The Cherokee Veterans Community is a military ministry at First Baptist Church Woodstock, serving all branches of the military community in and around Cherokee County. www.cherokeeveteranscommunity.org. veteransministry@fbcw.net.
American Legion Post 45 in Canton and Post 316 in Woodstock are part of the largest veteran support group in the United States, with posts in 14,000 communities around the country and 2.4 million members. www.galegion45.org, www.alpost316ga.org.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5262 in Canton is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans, military, their families and our community. www.facebook.com/VFWPost5262.
Cherokee County Suicide Coalition: Veteran Suicide Awareness is working to prevent deaths by suicide in Cherokee County by bringing awareness and education to the community. Visit https://bit.ly/3Bn2jnn or the Cherokee County Suicide Prevention Facebook page.
Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 of Woodstock is for veterans of the Marine Corps to meet, maintain camaraderie and perform community service. The Woodstock chapter serves Marines, their families and the children of our community. www.facebook.com/MCLWoodstock.
Veterans Day Events
Nov. 11
Veterans Day Candlelight Ceremony honors veterans at The Park at City Center in downtown Woodstock at 7 p.m. A coffee and cookie social will follow. www.woodstockparksandrec.com.
A Veterans Day Luncheon, presented by the Rotary Club of North Cobb, will be held at the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw, noon-2 p.m. https://bit.ly/3fPlaRX.
The city of Acworth is honoring veterans by hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony. Stop by the Veterans Memorial at Patriot’s Point at Cauble Park at 2 p.m.
https://bit.ly/3RK5QDH.
Chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will hold the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Cumming Veterans War Memorial, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The event will feature a traveling replica of the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery. https://bit.ly/3MimV6B.
Nov. 12
Cherokee Veterans Community will hold a free Veteran Appreciation Breakfast, 9-11 a.m. at First Baptist Church Woodstock. All military members, past and present, as well as spouses and children, are welcome. Register at www.cherokeeveteranscommunity.org/events by Nov. 6.
The eighth annual Veterans Memorial 5K, presented by American Legion Post 29, is open to runners and walkers of all ages, and is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible and pet-friendly. The 5K begins in Marietta Square, 7:30 a.m. https://bit.ly/3fQRDHH.
The Georgia Veterans Day Parade, Observance Ceremony and Festival will be at The Battery Atlanta, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be veterans speaking, a performance from the 116th Army Band, more than 20 exhibits, as well as equipment displays from the National Infantry Museum. The festivities are free and open to the public. For more details, including a parade route map, visit www.georgiaveteransday.org/events-1.
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