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James
Hammock, Jr. loves his family and his country. He graduated from Etowah
High School in 2001 and joined the Marines. Initially, this was to be
a stepping-stone to becoming a law enforcement officer here in Woodstock;
however, James fell for the Marines - hook, line and sinker. He plans
to make the Marines his career.
"I
get to see the world," was one of the reasons James chose the Marines,
but a closer look will reveal the real reason behind that love. James
is committed serving his country and making his parents proud. "My dad
will start talking about me in the Marines, and he won't stop," James
said. James Sr. is very proud of his son, as is his mom Deb and little
sister Nichole Bodie. Another group of friends who are very proud of James
is his co-workers at the Publix at Rose Creek, where he worked while he
was attending Etowah High School.
James'
Third Platoon, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division hit the dirt running
in Iraq on February 15, and on March 14 his hummve was hit. "I shouldn't
be here today from that hit," James said, "but someone wants more from
me I guess." James came stateside to have damages to his arm and shoulder
repaired and will return to his unit this month. "I hope to go back to
Iraq," he said, "We aren't done with the project at hand and need to finish
it."
To
James and all military personnel, We salute you and are very proud
of the job you continue to do for your country and families.
Publix at Rose Creek Community Outreach
Coordinator Sue Dean gave The TowneLaker the heads
up about James. Thank you Sue! The TowneLaker continues
to be the vehicle for the residents in the area to know what is happening
and where. If you have information and would like to share it with the
community, please send it to The TowneLaker, 1025
Rose Creek Drive, Suite 340, Woodstock, GA 30189 or you may e-mail us
at editor@townelaker.com. We love to hear from you.
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Erin Peters (left)
and sister Kelly.
Erin
Peters
Our Pathfinder by definition
is someone who is a leader, committed to the community and deserves recognition
for all he or she does. This month's Pathfinder, Erin Peters, was nominated
by her sister Kelly because of the way Erin inspires not only her family
but her community.
Many people in the community probably recognize
Erin by her name or her face and one cannot help but feel something special
when they encounter her. Erin is 14 years old and attends Woodstock Middle
School. Erin was diagnosed with MPS, a rare life threatening genetic disorder
when she was seven. The disease is degenerative but it doesn't stop Erin.
And through her efforts she inspires her family and friends and that makes
her extraordinary.
Kelly believes that Erin inspires those around
her. "Because of Erin's disability, I have been inspired to view others
equally and without judgment," stated Kelly. "Even with her disease, and
all she has gone through and continues to go through, she always has a
smile and helps put a smile on everyone around her," Kelly continued.
Erin's mom, Stacy said that Erin's disability has exposed Kelly and her
brother Benjamin to a completely different set of people. "They can look
at disabled people without judgment and feel perfectly comfortable around
them, and that's due to their sister," said Stacy.
Erin's inspiration goes beyond her family.
Because of Erin, the Peters family became sponsors of a national MPS run/walk
fundraising event, Run for Erin, which is held every Fall. According to
Stacy, Erin is always there at the start, waving, clapping and cheering
for the participants. "Everywhere we go, people know Erin, and it's because
of her smile and laugh," stated Kelly. Erin has also inspired a local
business; Beef 'O' Brady's to lend a fundraising hand. "From the first
time the Peters family came to Beef 'O' Brady's, Erin lit up the room,"
recalled co-owner Jennifer Mullins. "We got to know the family and fell
in love with Erin," she continued. Jennifer and her husband Mike wanted
to help raise the community's awareness of MPS, and as a result, they
established the National MPS Day at Beef 'O' Brady's, held every February,
donating a portion of the daily proceeds to the Foundation.
Erin is involved in gymnastics, and this
Spring she competed in the Special Olympics swim, track and field events.
Kelly nominated her sister because Erin inspires her. She also wanted
to do it for Erin's 15th birthday, which is June 21. Erin, thank you for
all you do to make our community a better place to live.
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