Georgia

Georgia is the state where I was born

Actually I never lived long enough at Fort Benning to remember the place

Below is one of the earliest pictures I have of my mother, me and my sister Maggie in Columbus, Georgia

My dear Aunt Alice in Savannah near her home is another very old picture

Georgia is where I started college at Georgia Southern in Statesboro

I was present when Fran Florian scored 67 points for the Eagles

I attended the local Catholic Church and was befriended by the Pastor

I went through roommate after roommate and never found a real friend

I was too poor and simply not southern enough or prejudiced enough

It was a hot humid state where a young immature kid from Kincheloe AFB

Way up in the UP of Michigan would never really fit in

I have driven south from Tennessee to Atlanta and it is a hilly drive

Atlanta is a huge city with huge city traffic and a busy interstate system

I received my Fellow in Church Business Administration in Atlanta although

I earned it in Minnesota

Going northeast through Clayton and Mountain City past Lake Sidney

Well this is very rural but also very windy and perhaps the prettiest part of Georgia

At least there are hills and rushing streams where kayakers are often seen

Going south from Atlanta you move firmly into farming land

Everything from cotton, to peanuts and more are grown down there

Following I-75 to Florida takes you into the heart of tourist land

My sister lived for a while in Baxley.

It is a small community that had a trailer building plant

Once my family and I took a boat tour of the Okefenokee Swamp, Lake

And the water was so black

This water was prized by early sailing people as it seemed to last a long time

My mother was from Augusta which is known for the Master's Golf Tournament

This whole area is so prejudiced against especially anyone who is different

I remember in Statesboro when John Kennedy was killed

People cheering and clapping their hands

Once in Savannah I was put off a bus for sitting in the rear seat

Dumb me I didn't even know why it was an issue

Black people were good for BBQ, dirty music and laughing at

Well you understand why I didn't fit in

My wife, daughters and I have driven out through Jimmy Carter's town of Plains

We stopped once in Plains and walked a little of the town

People were very nice and we bought a few Presidential souvenirs

We have purchased many Claxton Fruitcakes in the Valdosta area

We have driven to Fort Benning and beyond

The country is mostly the same

We have walked down Stone Mountain in Atlanta and ridden the cable car up

From Savannah to Florida is a quick not very interesting drive

I remember my grandparents lived near Millen and roasted peanuts for me once

Football, hunting, prejudice, hot humid weather, strong poverty, limited vision

These are the memories I hold of Georgia!