Military Veterans
"For as long as evil prevails throughout this world, good must not only be prepared to fight, but must win…"
Greetings Fellow Veterans,
Thank you for your service! You represent the greatness in America as only 1% of Americans serve in the US military. Your role in defending the Constitution and providing security for the US is a tradition underscored by volunteer service with few exceptions. The following are two of my favorite Veterans:
The following five Georgia Veterans are of great notoriety: Master Sergeant Tyeicha Nesbitt (Warner Robins, GA/West Point, MS) served in the 352nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (Macon, GA) died July 28, 2022 from metastatic breast cancer, allegedly, associated with her service in the Middle East. Staff Sergeant William Rivers (Carrollton, GA), Sergeant Breonna Moffett (Savannah & Bay Springs, MS) and Sergeant Kennedy Sanders (Waycross) died while deployed in service to our nation on January 28, 2024 as a result of a drone attack at Tower 22 in Jordon (near the Syrian border). They served in the 926th Engineer Battalion, Fort Benning, GA.
Without fail, I also memorialize four of my most favorite Veterans (left to right), my father Reverend Harold L. McColumn, Sr, an uncle, Master Sergeant Samuel Odom (US Army Ret), Lieutenant Colonel Pat Mahaffey (USAF Ret), and Senior Master Sergeant Bill Northenor (USAF Ret), my Junior ROTC Instructors from Northside High School, Warner Robins, GA.
Did you know… Georgia provides the most personnel (representative ratio) to the US Armed Forces? Approximately 700,000 Veterans reside in Georgia; 170,000 Active Duty. That number would increase if Georgia did not tax military retirement and active-duty military as does other southern states. Veterans retiring in Georgia would bring revenues, added stability in Georgia’s communities and the potential for leadership and technically experienced personnel contributing to Georgia’s communities. While Georgia provides a 65% tax release, effective 2026, this number must reflect 100%. Georgia and Kentucky are the only southern/southeastern states that tax Active Duty and Retirees’ salaries.
Who’s leading Veteran and National Security issues in Georgia? Georgia currently has little Veteran representation in the US House of Representative or the US Senate; neither of our current Senators have any military service or leadership in National Security issues.
Even more, Georgia has 9 military installations contributing immensely ($22B annually) to local economies and the strategic defense of our nation. In the event of a Base Realignment and Closure which has occurred in Georgia), Georgia does not have a Veteran Senator able to best communicate and/or negotiate the needs of our bases and fore knowledge on how to sustain them.
Prioritizing legislation in support of military priorities is critical to the security of our nation and economic prosperity. As a retired Veteran having served at the Senior level in the Army and in Air Force organizations, I am well-prepared to defend and support military personnel, military bases, Veterans and Contractors (with an emphasis on small business growth) by, with and for Georgia. My familiarization with strategic leadership, force structure, procurement and logistics is valued added for Georgia and supports the United States’ National Security interest.
My Priorities for the Department of War (DoW) and Veterans
- Georgia provides 100% state tax relief for Active Duty and Retired Military Veterans
- Grow Georgia’s influence in DoW by increasing Missions of all Georgia US Military Installations (Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Dobbins ARB, Fort Bennings, Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart (Hunter Army Air Field), Moody AFB, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Robins AFB
- Improve/Increase support to Georgia’s 700,000+ Veterans, i.e. mental illness, disability claims, medical support availability
- Provide Increased Oversight to Department of War Contracts to manage spending
- Modify Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to better manage spending and shorten contract award for all Federal Government Agencies
- Embolden Small Business support to the Department of War
- Support/Strengthen National Security