February 13, 2020

– Guests: Christy McMillion, Executive Director; Tanya Kopp, Activities Director of the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center |  The 5th Annual “Taste of New Orleans” Fundraiser, hosted by the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center will be held, Thursday, February 20th from 6pm-8pm at the Jacksonville Community Center Banquet Hall, 5 Municipal Drive in Jacksonville.  Provided will be great food, live jazz music, a King cake giveaway, and fun & fellowship.  Proceeds will benefit the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center, a place for senior adults to socialize, have a hot meal and stay active.  The center provides entertainment, transportation and other activities & services for any person over the age of 60.  For tickets, call 501-982-7531 or purchase your $20 tickets on site at the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center, 100 Victory Circle in Jacksonville.

– Guests: Albert Morgan, Jr., Retired Army Veteran | Nearly 50 years late,  Albert Morgan, Jr., Army Veteran was finally able to pin on his Bronze Star he was awarded in 1970 for Vietnam War combat operations covering September 1 to November 1 of that year.  It was through the office of U.S. Senator John Boozman that the medal ceremony took place on Veteran’s Day in November 2019 at Chafee Crossing in Fort Smith.  Morgan was drafted at 19 and inducted into the Army in 1969. After months of training, he arrived in Vietnam and was involved in numerous enemy fire exchanges. It was just after a fiend of his was killed that he prayed to God to protect him and not let him get killed or lose any limbs.  He vowed to do whatever it took in order to get back home alive.  He was honorably discharged in 1971 and later became ill with diseases caused by Agent Orange. He is physically challenged with sarcoidosis of the liver, lungs, lymph system, joints, skin, and heart.  It was through a search for compensation that led him to receiving boxes of records, where he came across an official copy dated November 4, 1970 of the award of the Bronze Star medal. Morgan is now fully decorated with various medals, including the Bronze Star.  He still battles health ailments and the challenges on receiving compensation form Veteran Affairs Healthcare.