Dobbins POW MIA Memorial Park

2008 Contributors

Another year begins as we recognize our supporters and sponsors.

Let's start with several of our old park friends: Fred Williams of Marietta Trophy and Engraving has been onboard with the project from day one. This year, they are providing us with three plaques. It's always good to know that Fred is there to bring together all the details for the plaques. He also helped with the Conner's Way project at Dobbins this year.
And, speaking about day one, Mableton Marble and Granite - Rick, Randy, and Jan Sailors - continue to provide our monuments. They will place three new monuments in the park this year. We appreciate their commitment to helping us and providing a great service.
Our first major park sponsor, the Dobbins Thrift Shop operated by the Dobbins Officers Wives Club donated another $1,000 to support park activities. Some of the money has been spent for new park flags.
Our flags come from FlagSource Southeast in Marietta. Dan and Mark donated flags to the park last year. We appreciate their support and their contributions to the park.
The Dobbins Chief Group continues its financial support of memorializing the park. The group has $1,080 ready for use in future park improvements, including benches and larger shade trees if the drought eases.
We had a wonderful gift from Master Sergeant Lewis Oblander (ret.) who wanted to do something for the park. Lewis is a former member of the 700th Airlift Squadron. He donated $1,000 to help purchase next year's WW1 plaque. This is a special donation because it came from one of our own. We will recognize Lewis this year at our Vietnam POW/MIA plaque dedication along with all of our sponsors.
An organization that is inspiring and is committed to recognizing the achievements of Vietnam veterans and honoring those who lost their lives in the war is the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association. For year's the group has place monument in North Georgia communities honoring fallen heroes from the Vietnam War. We are pleased to have them join us for this year's Vietnam plaque dedication. The group has signed on to purchase our 18x24-inch bronze plaque for the Vietnam monument at a cost of more that $1,000. Mr. Don Pardue will join us along with members from his group to dedicate the plaque.
As we add memorials to the park, we begin with an important one for the 94th Civil Engineer Squadron. On Sept. 6, 2008, the squadron will place a monument and plaque at the entrance of the park to mark their completion of the park and its dedication on Sept. 23, 2005. It amounts to a $1,350 investment in the park. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
Another addition to the park and one that matches the $1,350 cost is a monument and plaque that will be dedicated on Sept 26th, 2008 from the WWII 459th Bombardment Group to recognize its POWs, MIAs, and those killed in action. Mr. Archie Erwin, the group's president, is coordinating the project in conjunction with the group's annual reunion in Atlanta on the same weekend. The ceremony will immediately follow the Vietnam plaque dedication.
You'll notice a monument later this year without a plaque. Next year is the 25th anniversary of the Living Memorial planting and the Air Force Sergeants Association has committed another $1,350 to recognize Libby Scarberry, who for years promoted the park and was the inspiration for it's being developed. She was a friend and advocate for all servicemembers and a stalwart in early POW/MIA accountability. Her plaque will be dedicated next September.
Just a mention on Aug. 22, a real behind the scenes supporter who worked hard to make all of the last few years of the Dobbins POW/MIA Memorial Park and the Living Memorial ceremonies a special event, left the base for a new assignment. Courtney Franchio, who worked as the chief of Public Affairs, never failed Libby Scarberry and the Air Force Sergeants Association in making the annual park event special. Her support will be missed as she goes on to the next stage of her life with Al, Sydney, and Cloie.