25 Years Later: Honoring Our First Responders and Veterans Across District 157

Twenty-five years ago today, on September 11, 2001, our nation experienced a tragedy that altered the course of American history. Every American old enough to remember can recall exactly where they were when the towers fell, when the Pentagon was struck, and when Flight 93 went down in a Pennsylvania field.

In the midst of unimaginable heartbreak, September 11th also revealed the unmatched courage and unity of the American spirit. We saw emergency workers run toward danger without hesitation, neighbors rally to support one another, and young men and women across Georgia answer the call to serve in our Armed Forces.

As we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost that day. Here in Georgia House District 157, we also pause to recognize the local heroes who carry that legacy of service forward every single day.

The Operational Realities of Rural First Responders in HD-157

Across Tattnall, Evans, Appling, and Jeff Davis counties, public safety relies heavily on dedicated volunteers and local emergency crews operating across sprawling rural geography.

In Jeff Davis County, for example, 36.6% of the housing stock consists of mobile homes, compared to the national average of 5.8%. Because lighter construction materials reach flashover conditions rapidly during a fire, short response times are essential to life safety. In Tattnall County, public safety relies on 79 volunteer firefighters operating across 22 stations without a single full-time career firefighter on staff. Local efforts to construct satellite stations to drop county ISO ratings from Class 10 to Class 7 do more than improve response times; they directly lower homeowner insurance premiums for rural families.

Meanwhile in Appling County, volunteer departments operating out of Baxley, Red Oak, Surrency, and Altamaha maintain advanced emergency readiness to protect the surrounding area and the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant.

However, rural departments face crippling capital costs. Older analog radios are reaching manufacturer end-of-support dates, forcing counties to fund multi-million-dollar upgrades to P25-compliant digital communications. When a rural county must spend its entire local sales tax digest on a radio upgrade or a single fire engine, no funding remains for turnout gear, station repairs, or recruitment.

Supporting Our Fort Stewart Veterans and Military Families

Southeast Georgia shares a deep bond with the United States military. Nearby Fort Stewart and the historic 3rd Infantry Division are central to our regional identity. At Warriors Walk on Fort Stewart, 469 White Crape Myrtle trees stand as a living memorial to the Dogface Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism.

Today, a new generation of active-duty soldiers is entering the ranks, many of whom were not yet born on September 11, 2001. As these service members complete their duty and transition into civilian life, retaining their leadership and technical skills in Southeast Georgia is a major economic priority.

Having served as an Army Transition Counselor, I have worked directly with departing service members as they navigate civilian employment. While federal initiatives like DoD SkillBridge provide a strong foundation, state law must do more to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for military police transitioning into rural sheriff’s departments and veterans entering skilled trades.

Furthermore, we must ensure our rural veterans have accessible behavioral health support. While the national 988 Veterans Crisis Line provides immediate phone de-escalation, rural veterans in Claxton, Reidsville, Baxley, and Hazlehurst still face long travel times to reach localized clinical care.

Standing Up for Those Who Stand Up for Us

Honoring our first responders and veterans means making sure state policy reflects their daily realities. In rural Georgia, small policy adjustments can make a profound difference for local safety and service members:

• Lowering Capital Burdens for Rural Fire Stations: State government can step up with dedicated communications grant funding to help small counties cover P25 digital radio upgrades, and guarantee the local match needed for federal fire safety grants so rural departments do not miss out on vital equipment.
• Supporting Active Volunteers: Covering monthly pension dues for active members of the Georgia Firefighters’ Pension Fund and providing modest tax relief for certified volunteer emergency workers helps offset the out-of-pocket costs dedicated neighbors pay to serve.
• Fast-Tracking Civilian Credentials for Veterans: Establishing a seamless transition pathway through local technical colleges enables military police to fulfill Georgia POST requirements without delay, while recognizing military trade experience directly toward state civilian licenses.

A Legacy of Unity and Resilience

Twenty-five years after 9/11, the best way we can honor those we lost is by strengthening the bond of community that unites us. Let us express our sincere gratitude to the volunteer firefighters, deputies, paramedics, and military veterans who keep District 157 safe and strong.

May God bless the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001, may God protect our first responders and armed forces, and may God bless the state of Georgia.