CoC hosts 20th Annual Rabun County Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner

There is no higher honor than to have served in the armed forces who fought for the freedom many of us enjoy today. To commemorate those who sacrificed so much for our sakes, the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce will be honoring veterans within the community at the annual Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner.

The 20th Annual Rabun County Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Rabun County Civic Center. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and all veteran’s dinners are provided free of charge. Tickets for spouses are $10 and any other guests from the public that would like to attend are $25 per person.

According to Co-Chair Irene Bynum, tickets will be available at the Rabun County Welcome Center after October 15th.

Bynum announced this year’s guest speaker is a hometown hero, originally of Clayton, Col. Ronald R. Prince, USAF (Retired).

“Col. Prince grew up in Clayton and graduated from RCHS in 1978 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1981. Prince graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aeronautical Science and Avionics Engineering. As a career intelligence officer, he served at the squadron, wing, group, Major Command and Joint level including five combat deployments on three separate continents,” Bynum said. “Col. Prince retired as the Mighty 8th Air Force’s Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance leading the intelligence support for the Nation’s Nuclear Bomber Fleet including the B-52 and the B-2 Stealth bomber.”

Col. Prince’s military decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal, Three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, Four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Valor and numerous other expedition and service medals. Col. Prince completed his military career with over 1,000 parachute jumps.

When asked by Bynum to be the guest speaker, Prince stated how honored and humbled he is to be able to be a part of such a wonderful tribute to our veteran’s.

For more information on how to sponsor or to volunteer for this event, call (706) 782-4812 or (706) 490-2679.