Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery & Hero Wall

10/29/2026

🇺🇸 95 YEARS YOUNG AND STILL FULL OF STORIES! 🇺🇸
What an incredible afternoon at Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery & Hero Wall!
Today, we had the honor of welcoming Master Sergeant Jack McCorkle, United States Marine Corps, 95 years young, for a very special interview conducted by Jayne Jones of the Union County Historical Society, with Jeanne Ford McGill joining us for this memorable occasion.
And let me tell you, Jack has some STORIES! 😎🇺🇸
From his years in the Marine Corps, serving as a drill instructor and his experiences during wartime, to his involvement as one of the original members of the North Georgia Honor Guard, Jack took us on an unforgettable journey through history.
One of the most meaningful parts of our conversation was hearing Jack recall his years working alongside Frank and Florence “Flo” Ford, helping with Holly Hill Cemetery during its early days following its opening in 1991 and supporting the North Georgia Honor Guard. His firsthand memories offer a wonderful glimpse into the people, friendships, and dedication that helped build a lasting tradition of honoring our veterans.
And, of course, Jack shared plenty of personal adventures along the way — including a few stories about his girlfriends! 😂❤️
Here's something that made the day even better: Jack actually picked Jane up and drove her out to Holly Hill himself! At 95, this Marine is still on the move! 🇺🇸
A heartfelt thank-you to Jayne Jones and the Union County Historical Society for taking the time to help us capture these priceless memories.
And a huge thank-you to Lisa McGill for directing and recording the interview! Lisa will also be handling the editing and production to bring Jack's incredible stories to life.
🎥 STAY TUNED! We'll be sharing this special interview in the next couple of days, and trust us, you won't want to miss it!
📸 We're also sharing some treasured photographs from the early days of the North Georgia Honor Guard and Frank and Flo Ford — a wonderful look back at the people and history behind the stories Jack shared today.
These are the voices, memories, and personal experiences that make our nation's history come alive. Preserving them is at the heart of our mission.
Once a Marine, Always a Marine! 🇺🇸❤️
Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery & Hero Wall
Honoring America's Heroes — Preserving Their Legacy.
Georgia Honor Guard Eastern DivisionMarine Corps League - Unicoi Detachment County Historical Society

10/25/2026

🇺🇸 HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED.

We are proud to recognize the North Georgia Honor Guard – Eastern Division for their unwavering dedication to honoring our nation’s veterans with dignity, respect, and military tradition.

These dedicated men and women continue to make a meaningful difference for veterans and their families throughout our community.

Thank you for your service and commitment. We are proud to stand alongside you! 🇺🇸❤️

10/22/2026

10/20/2026

🇺🇸❤️ A SPECIAL CONVERSATION WITH LIVING HISTORY! 🇺🇸

We are honored to share this special interview featuring Dr. Coral May Grout, American Legion Auxiliary National President, and Florence “Flo” Ford Gerrard, our 101-year-old World War II veteran!

Two remarkable women sharing a moment we will treasure for generations to come.

🎥 A very special thank-you to Lisa McGill for her outstanding work producing this beautiful interview!

Preserving their voices. Honoring their stories. Keeping history alive. 🇺🇸❤️

Dr. Coral May Grout & Florence Ford GerrardA special interview fe...

10/17/2026

🇺🇸👑 101 YEARS YOUNG AND STILL STEALING THE SHOW! 🥉

Windy? Cold? No problem! You can’t keep a World War II veteran down! 🇺🇸

Our very own Florence “Flo” Ford Gerrard, 101 years young, braved the chilly weather to join today’s Sorghum in the Mountains Festival Parade in Blairsville!

And guess what? QUEEN FLO WON THIRD PLACE! 🥉🎉

🚙 A HUGE thank-you to Tim Ford and Blue Ridge North Georgia Ford for providing the awesome Ford Maverick Tremor, complete with an electrical outlet to keep Flo cozy under her electric blanket!

🍁 Special thanks to Julie Hughes for providing the beautiful fall decorations that made Flo’s parade entry shine!

And to our wonderful Blairsville community — THANK YOU! ❤️

The smiles, cheers, kindness, and willingness to help one another reminded us once again why this mountain community is so special.

101 years young, a little chilly, a whole lot of spirit, and now a THIRD-PLACE PARADE QUEEN! 👑🥉

From all of us at Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery & Hero Wall, congratulations, Flo! We love you! 🇺🇸❤️
Blue Ridge North Georgia Ford

10/13/2026

When a community stands together, incredible things happen. 🇺🇸

Berney Jarosz of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, GA 25-3, and Marty Armoto generously donated their time and expertise to help move our food trailer and pavilion electrical project forward at Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery.

Berney shows up almost every week to lend a hand, and this time he went well beyond the call—digging by hand, squeezing into tight spaces, and tackling demanding work. His professional expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to top-quality workmanship made an enormous difference.

We are deeply grateful to Marty for donating his professional services and helping with the permitting and inspection process in support of our veterans.

Berney and Marty, thank you for your generosity, hard work, and dedication to HHVC. You are helping us build a place where veterans, families, and our community can gather. We appreciate you both! ❤️🇺🇸

10/13/2026

⚓🇺🇸 251 Years of Honor, Courage, and Commitment!

Today, we proudly honor 13 U.S. Navy veterans laid to rest at Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery & Hero Wall, along with a fallen sailor who never made it home.

Behind every photograph is a hero, a family, and a story that deserves to live forever.

Their service is our history. Their memory is our responsibility.

Happy 251st Birthday, United States Navy! 🇺🇸⚓

10/13/2026

⚓ 🇺🇸 HAPPY 251ST BIRTHDAY, UNITED STATES NAVY! 🇺🇸 ⚓

October 13, 1775 – October 13, 2026

Today, as we celebrate 251 years of the United States Navy, we pause to honor 13 of our own Navy veterans who are laid to rest at Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery & Hero Wall in Blairsville, Georgia.

These are not simply names from history. These are the men and women entrusted to our care, whose service, sacrifices, and memories are forever part of Holly Hill.

They served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and throughout some of the most defining chapters of our nation’s history.

Today, we proudly remember our Navy veterans resting at Holly Hill:

⚓ William F. Barrett

⚓ Russell T. Berglund

⚓ Elda M. Brown — WWII Navy WAVE

⚓ William M. Caswell

⚓ Robert P. Freytag

⚓ Maurice O. Hudson

⚓ Allan David Jones

⚓ Bruce L. Karr

⚓ Jules Clifford Maleske

⚓ Jimmy Earl Morrison

⚓ Robert Harold “Bob” Ness

⚓ Wilbur Malcolm Reeves

⚓ Anthony Frank Vitale

Each name represents a life, a family, a story, and a promise that their service will never be forgotten.

To the families of these veterans, thank you for allowing Holly Hill to be their final resting place. It is an honor and a responsibility we hold close to our hearts.

We also remember a sailor who never came home.

John Francis “Jack” Heckel lost his life aboard the USS Juneau on November 13, 1942, during World War II. His remains were never recovered. His brother, Raymond Thomas Heckel, rests here at Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery.

Although Jack is not buried here, his sacrifice will always be remembered alongside his brother.

Some heroes rest beneath a headstone. Others rest beneath the waves. All deserve to be remembered.

To every Navy veteran, every active-duty sailor, and every family who has stood beside them, we extend our heartfelt gratitude.

From our Holly Hill family to yours, Happy 251st Birthday, United States Navy!

⚓ Fair Winds and Following Seas.

🇺🇸 Holly Hill Veterans Cemetery & Hero Wall
Blairsville, Georgia

Honoring Their Service. Preserving Their Stories. Never Forgetting.