The annual Veterans Day Program will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Washington County Courthouse square in Sandersville.
The keynote speaker for this year’s program is Command Sergeant Major Tommy L. Dunn.
Born to the parentage of Willie James Dunn and Geraldine Paradise, Command Sergeant Major Tommy L. Dunn, a native of Washington County, Sandersville, GA has much to add to his list of accomplishments during his 30-year military career. CSM Dunn retired from the United States Army in November 2001 after serving 30 years. He entered the Army on June 28, 1971 as an infantryman shortly after graduating from Washington County High School. He attended basic and advanced individual training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
During his career, he has held numerous leadership positions including team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, and command sergeant major of an Infantry Battalion. He also performed the duties of a drill sergeant and a reserve officer trainer (ROTC) at Penn State University.
CSM Dunn completed the Primary Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course, First Sergeant Course, and the United States Army Sergeant Major Course Academy Class 37. Other courses included the Drill Sergeant Course, Airborne Course and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Course.
CSM Dunn’s overseas assignment includes tours of duty in Alaska, Korea, and two tours in Germany. His stateside assignments include Fort Benning, Georgia, two tours at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Bliss Texas, Fort McClellan, Alabama, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Penn State University.
CSM Dunn’s awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (6th Award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), the Expert Infantryman Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, and the Parachute Badge. He was also awarded the Order of Saint Barbara and the Other of Saint Maurice, the Legion of ERIT, NAIO Medal, Kosovo Labret Reba, Republic of Korea Payer Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal (10th Award).
CSM Dunn served as Command Sergeant Major of the First Raider Brigade at Fort Steward. He was deployed with his unit to Kosovo in May 2001 for six months. This was his last assignment before retiring in November 2001 and returning home in Sandersville, GA to live close to his family.
The Veterans Day program is an annual event sponsored by the American Legion Post 94 and the American Veterans Post 110.