- November 22, 2024
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Ormond Beach resident Ruth "Sue" Garrett recently celebrated her 100th birthday at DB Pickles.
Garrett was born on June 11, 1922, in Coyteville-Fort Lee, New Jersey, and was one of the first people to walk across the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey in 1931, according to a proclamation presented to Garrett by Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington on her birthday. In 1945, she married Earnest Garrett and they had four sons: Peter, Roger, Michael and Scott.
Garrett has seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Following her husband's death in 1976, Garrett was in a relationship with Walt Osman that lasted over 30 years.
She loved to travel in her travel trailer all over the country and some of her hobbies over the years have included baking, making fudge and crafts. She also played the organ for numerous years and has CDs of her work, the proclamation details. Garrett has knitted and crocheted many blankets and baby sweaters, and currently collects dolls, enjoys listening to audiobooks and socializing with her friends.
Jeanette Gray, an Ormond Beach resident, recently visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia where she saw an official wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Her son, Army Staff Sgt. Damien Fraser, is a tomb guard.
According to a press release by AccentCare Home Health, where Gray works as a licensed practical nurse, being chosen to guard the tomb is one of the third least awarded badges in the military and becoming a sentinel is a very selective process. First, the soldiers must volunteer for the position and only 20% of applicants will make it through the first stage.
Once selected to train for the position, they must undergo rigorous testing, and only 10% will pass on to the next phase, which lasts six to nine months and consists of three more tests.
On May 28, Fraser was also invited to sing the national anthem for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300 Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for Memorial Day Weekend. He has sung the national anthem at different military functions for 11 years.
"Jeannette’s son honors veterans, domestic and foreign dignitaries and Americans while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," the AccentCare Home Health press release reads. "Her AccentCare family knows she is very proud of Damien. The company is proud as well! Congratulations, Staff Sgt. Damien Fraser and proud mom, Jeannette Gray."
On June 17, Bethune-Cookman University celebrated a Day of Giving, and as of Monday, June 20, the university raised over $118,000.
The university is asking alumni, stakeholders and community supporters to help it reach its fundraising goal of $200,000. The fundraiser is active through June 30.
“As we prepare for the installation of the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune statue in the U.S. Capitol building later this summer, we call on our Wildcat family to remember the words of Dr. Bethune and our motto: Enter to learn. Depart to serve,” said Sherry Paramore, vice president of institutional advancement in a press release. “We thank our alumni and friends of B-CU nationwide in advance for participating in the Day of Giving and supporting our students during this historic time.”
The funds raised will go toward supporting current and future B-CU students with scholarships, campus improvements, program updates and more. Visit Give.Cookman.edu or call 386-481-2950.
