MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Friday, veterans in Central Georgia and across the country attended parades and other celebrations, honoring their service. A church in Baldwin County brought a personal celebration to a local vet.
His name is Murry Lee Alford.
The 96-year-old is a United States Marine Corps World War II veteran.
"Just about anyone that was above 16 years old was in the service," says Alford.
He was signed up for the Marine Corps at the age of 17, joining his four brothers. While stationed in Guam, he served as a cook on the ship, but then he was sent out to battle in Iwo Jima.
His family recalls his story, saying while in Iwo Jima, he stepped on a shell-hole on the beach and nearly drowned. He luckily was saved by another soldier. When he was pulled to land, he remembers not having his rifle, but he says there were plenty of stray rifles on the beach from other solders who had been shot.
They say his unit also traveled to China.
"Thank goodness I'm still alive," Alford says
To honor him for his time served, folks from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints brought a special veterans day celebration to his home.
They presented him with "thank you" letters from students, a quilt, and tasty treats. They also sang him "God Bless America."
Through it all, Alford remained humble, saying he didn't want to be called a hero.
"I feel like I don't deserve this," Alford adds.
Tiffany Grimes is one of the members that honored him, and she says he does deserve it.
"My big pop was a veteran, too, and I think its incredible what they did for us, and not a lot of people take that into consideration," Grimes says.
Her grandfather also served in the Marine Corps, and she honors Alford because he would, too.
"He did it, too. He always, if he'd seen someone walking in the store or whatever, he was always walking up and saying, 'Oorah,' and, 'Semper fi.' I think it really important to acknowledge what these people gave to us," she adds.
Alford received his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps after two years.