2012 Cobb County Honorary Commanders Association - Relinquish of Command Dinner

Nov. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- Friday night, November 9, 2012 was a powerful evening.  Daniel Hydrick, CEO Hygun Group had the honor of being nominated and serving on the Cobb County Honorary Commanders Association Class for 2012.  Honorary Commanders is a cooperative effort of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Dobbins Air Reserve (ARB), General Lucius D. Clay National Guard Center, Navy and Marine Corps. The Honorary Commanders Association annually selects community and business leaders and pairs them with military commanders in a yearlong program, giving those leaders the opportunity to learn more about local military activities, their impact on our economy and various aspects of the national defense system.

This event was to relinquish our yearlong "tour of duty".  The dinner ceremony was in honor of those civilians and their military counterpart who had come together to learn from one another and stand as a community in support for those in uniform.

The evening was made even more memorable by the presence of Purple Heart recipient, Sgt. Tyson and his wife, Carol. Twice wounded in combat while serving in Iraq, his words of encouragement and his love for his country left few tearless faces.  It was and shall always be an honor to have met him and his lovely wife. A friend for life was in his parting words were, "don't you forget me" and I never will.

Each of the military leaders present gave their heart felt thanks to their business counterparts and to the community that has supported them. The reading of the POW / MIA Empty Chair Ceremony,
by Lt. Col Mike Varicak, 4th MLG, US Marines Corps was inspirational to us all.

Daniel Hydrick would like to say that the Cobb County Honorary Commanders Class of 2012 will not be forgotten. It was for me, a Vietnam Veteran, a coming home of sorts. You see I had been out of touch with my military days from Vietnam some 40 years.  My counter part Col Brent E. Bracewell, Commander of the 78th Aviation Troop Command, who is charged with overseeing the entire Georgia Army National Guard's aviation assets, could not have been more kind. I had the honor of sharing his world, both militarily and personally, over that last year.

Thank you all, who served in the Class of 2012 Honorary Commanders it was a true pleasure to have been in your presence and to have reiterated the importance of supporting local businesses and regional military activities and service.