Memorial Day tribute begins at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29 at the Courthouse

The Seminole County Memorial Day ceremony, hosted by the American Legion Post 157, is set for Monday, May 29  and will be held on the front lawn of the Seminole County Courthouse located on Knox Avenue in downtown Donalsonville.

Memorial Day weekend begins this Friday afternoon and the annual Seminole County Memorial Day celebration and ceremony, honoring those who gave the supreme sacrifice for our freedom, will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday.

The American Legion Color Guard, consisting of Shane Collins and Lewis Godby, will handle the raising and lowering of the American flag.  American Legion Post Commander Royce Davis will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies and will lead the community in the Pledge to the American flag. The Laying of the Wreath will be presented by the Legion’s Honor Guard, George Doyle and Payton Horne. The ceremony will also feature the playing of Taps by Joe Tatum.

Sgt. Scott Morehouse and the Bainbridge JROTC Drill Team will also be a part of the program, and Tony and Joy Buczek will perform musical selections.

 The keynote speaker for this year’s event will be U.S. Army Veteran Wendell Cofer, from the Decatur County Sheriff’s office.

Major Wendell E. Cofer entered the Army in 1984 at the age of 17. His first assignment was in the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. Major Cofer did a Demilitarize Zone (DMZ) tour before serving in the 4th Division in Colorado.

Upon leaving the Army, Major Cofer began working at Bainbridge Public Safety in 1988, serving as a Patrol Officer and Detective Sergeant. He worked at BPS for 11 and a half years, until 1999.  

Major Cofer left Bainbridge Public Safety and began work serving the citizens of Decatur County at the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office. Major Cofer has served as an investigator, chief investigator and jail administrator and is currently the chief deputy.

Major Cofer is married and he has five children and two stepchildren. He also has four grandchildren, two adopted grandchildren and one on the way.