Veteran of Iraq War part of Arbor Day celebration

Christopher Carter, a captain in the U.S. Army who fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom, led the State’s official Arbor Day ceremony as the keynote speaker on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
“I think it’s an honor to be invited here, to not only celebrate Arbor Day, but to commemorate this day with the veterans of various wars,” Carter said.
Carter was the Commander of the Army’s Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion and 7th Infantry Regiment in Iraq. The media regularly reported on Carter and his troops – from their raid on Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace to Carter rescuing an innocent Iraqi woman on the battlefield for which he received the Silver Star, the third highest medal awarded for battle.
“[Life] is not about possessions, but about taking care of people we know, we love – and taking care of people we don’t know,” said Carter, in an Associated Press report last year.
Gov. Sonny Perdue proclaimed Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 as Arbor Day in Georgia. The State’s official Arbor Day Ceremony, in partnership with the Georgia Forestry Commission, also honored veterans by planting a commemorative tree in the veterans’ cemetery.
Carter was joined in the ceremony by William Lazenby, interim director of the Georgia Forestry Commission; Pete Wheeler, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs; State Rep. Kenneth Birdsong, D-Gordon, chairman of House Defense and Veterans Affairs; State Sen. Faye Smith, D-Milledgeville and State Rep. Bobby Parham, D-Milledgeville.
“No world can survive long without trees. We can thank the Georgia Forestry Commission for helping keep the forest alive,” Birdsong said.
Smith said Georgia is a state that pays “great homage” to veterans.
“We, as a state, try to do right by honoring them,” she said. “To those who are living, to those who have gone on, and to the young [people] who are serving today,” said Senator Smith.
Carter, a 1995 graduate of the University of Georgia, is now assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 306th Infantry, where he serves as a company trainer and works with the Georgia Army National Guard. Captain Carter is the son of Michael and Shirley Carter of Watkinsville.
“Today’s struggle is ongoing. Victory will happen,” Carter said. “People ask me what they can do from home to help, and I tell them to pray. Pray for the safety of our troops.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 27 2004. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry