DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) — Their names are displayed hundreds of miles away in Washington, D.C., but the stories behind them started in south Georgia.

As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, millions of Americans who have served in the military are being recognized through the National Military Monument, currently on display at Lincoln Memorial Plaza in Washington, D.C. Among those names are veterans with roots in south Georgia.

Three Douglas veterans — Latrina Brockington, Johnny Williams, and Cato Grady — spoke about the lives and service behind the names.

‘It’s worth more than all the awards I received’

Brockington served 16 years as a corpsman in the United States Navy. She said growing up in Douglas, she wanted to experience life outside her hometown while doing something that would allow her to help others.

“I wanted to travel and help people,” Brockington said.

She said some of her greatest memories from her military career are the friendships she made along the way. Brockington said her family was also critical throughout her service, supporting her as she traveled and worked while raising her son as a single mother.

“They were the most important part of it because they supported me and my son,” Brockington said. “They was there for me for every bit of it.”

Brockington was in Washington, D.C., when the monument was unveiled. She saw people gathering around it but had no idea her own name was among those displayed. She found out as she was leaving.

“When I got on the flight, people were like, ‘Your name was on it,’” Brockington recalled.

“That was the best thing ever, to have my name up there,” Brockington said. “It’s worth more than all the plaques, all the awards I received ever. I loved it.”

‘Somebody recognized the service that I gave to the country’

Williams served 23 and a half years between active duty and the National Guard. His military journey began straight out of high school. He initially planned to join the National Guard, but said his mother encouraged him to go active duty.

That decision led to a career that took him to Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

“It was a journey,” Williams said.

When he learned his name was among those honored, Williams said it made him feel like those years of service had been seen.

“It was an honor,” Williams said. “I feel like somebody recognized the service that I gave to the country.”

Williams also said he believes not all veterans receive the same level of recognition for their sacrifices.

21 years of service — and still helping veterans

Grady spent 21 years serving in the Army National Guard, much of that time in Douglas. He said he was never deployed to war, but his service included training at Fort Irwin in California.

“It was just like being in combat,” Grady said.

He said training days could begin as early as 4 or 5 in the morning and continue until leadership decided training was finished.

“You do things that you never thought you would be able to do,” Grady said. “It brings the best out of a man.”

Asked whether he would choose military service again, Grady did not hesitate.

“Yes, I would,” he said. “I like doing things for my country.”

Grady now serves as a service officer with American Legion Post 515 in Douglas, helping veterans with information and claims and assisting bereaved military families.

“That’s mainly what I’m proud of doing here in Douglas, Georgia with Post 515 American Legion,” Grady said.

South Georgia families find their names

After a social media post asked viewers to share the names of themselves or family members included in the monument, families submitted dozens of names from across the area.

Those shared include: Aaron Royals, Aaron Walker Jr., Albert Jenkins, Andrew Williams, Bobby McKinnon, Calvin Harrell, Chanetta Wheat, Charles Brown, Charles W. Hill Jr., Cyrus F. Holman, Daniel W. Cady, Darryl Shaw, Don Manac, Eduard Ellionis, Ellie T. Morris, Ernest Ball, Frank Bennett, George Bennett, Gerald Bazell, Hiram L. Davis, James A. Raper, James Hill, James Ricky Shaw, James Shaw, Jerry A. Pope, Jerry L. Hill, Jose R. Ortiz, Kimberly A. Johnson, Napoleon Gifford, Perry Manning, Richard Styles Jr., Robert S. Leggett, Ronald Shaw, Shawn Shaw, Stacey J. Williams, and Tony McKinnon.

Some viewers shared their own names. Others recognized fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other loved ones. In some cases, families found multiple generations represented.

About the monument

The National Military Monument opened July 28 at Lincoln Memorial Plaza and is part of the country’s 250th anniversary commemoration. The temporary monument is scheduled to remain on display through Aug. 23, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.

Organizers have said there is no single comprehensive public record containing every person who has served in the U.S. military. Multiple records and data sources were used to compile the names, meaning the absence of someone’s name does not erase or diminish their service.

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