Two Brundidge citizens were honored for their patriotism by VFW Post 7055 at separate Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday.

Delatha Mobley was presented a Patriotic Citizen plaque at the 9 a.m. Memorial Day service in Brundidge and Lawrence Bowden was recognized at the 11 a.m. service at Elam Cemetery.

“Both Mrs. Mobley and Col. Bowden are outstanding patriots,” said Freddie Turner, Post 7055 quartermaster. “They have gone ‘above and beyond’ in supporting our military. Post 7055 wanted to recognize them and let them know that we appreciate their support over the years.”

Turner said Mobley was very instrumental in the planning and carrying out of ceremonies to welcome home the 900th Maintenance Company when it returned from deployments to the Middle East.

“While the 900th was deployed, Mrs. Mobley helped put together packages to send to the soldiers,” Turner said. “When the 900th came home, she got out and encouraged businesses to buy those ‘Welcome Home, We’re Proud of You’ banners and helped post them everywhere. It meant a lot to the soldiers to see that the community supported them and our country in their efforts to ensure freedom for all people.”

Turner said Mobley “won’t take credit for things she does.”

“She is an outstanding lady in town and is a true patriot,” he said. “What she does, she does because she loves her country and appreciates the sacrifices that our soldiers and their families make to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy. There is always something patriotic in her store window and I’m sure all veterans and their families appreciate those displays.”

Mobley expressed appreciation to VFW Post 7055 for the recognition and for all that the post does to honor this country’s veterans.

“Our veterans deserve our support and we should never forget the sacrifices that they have made for us,” she said. “We do live in the best country in the world and I am proud to call myself an American.”

Bowden is a retired colonel with the Alabama National Guard and was the first commander of the 900th (Transportation) Company of the Alabama National Guard. He was the commander of the 900th when the company was activated during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

“Col. Bowden has been involved in the military for more than 50 years,” Turner said. “He served on active duty during the Korean War and is retired from the guard. But he, like Mrs. Mobley, is a patriotic citizen. While the 900th was deployed he had a huge wooden yellow ribbon in his front yard and kept his yard decorated the whole time they were gone.”

Turner said that Bowden continues to be supportive of the country’s military and stands behind them wherever they are, on the home front or in distant lands.

“You can always count on Col. Bowden to attend any patriotic ceremonies,” he said. “On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, he will be there and, if he is asked to speak, he will gladly do that. We appreciate his support of our military. No one has more pride in his country than Col. Bowden.”

Bowden said he is honored and humbled by the recognition.

“I appreciate the VFW Post 7055 for thinking of me and I appreciate all they do to honor our veterans,” he said.

“When I look back on my life, the thing that I am most proud of is my military service. I am proud to have served my country.”