Published: May 08, 2008 04:13 pm            

Veterans wish former county veterans officer a fond farewell

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

His last official day was March 15, but Cherokee County veterans wanted to give former county veteran officer Jim Foreman a proper sendoff — which they did Tuesday night at Rusk VFW Post 3406.

“We appreciate his work and his efforts and we wish he hadn’t left,” VFW member Bob Brannon said before Foreman, his family and several county veterans enjoyed the lavish dinner laid out Tuesday night.

Foreman tendered his resignation to Cherokee County commissioners, citing health reasons, in February. He served as the county’s veterans officer since Nov. 1, 2002.

“I am proud to have done the job for them (local veterans),” Foreman said. “It’s a big job in this county, because we have so many vets here and because this county really does an excellent job of serving its vets, too.”

Foreman said his case load had nearly doubled since he was hired.

“There’s on average about 5,000 vets in this county,” he said. “And this county continues to provide people into the service of the country.”

Local veterans couldn’t say enough good things about Foreman’s dedication to the office.

“He’s a good man,” said Oakland veteran M.E. Byers. “He’s traveled all over this county helping people, when they weren’t able to get to his office on their own.

“He’s the best (veteran officer) we’ve ever had,” Byers said.

And that dedication didn’t end March 15.

“We’re going to continue doing what we can for our vets for as long as possible,” Foreman said.

The county has not filled Foreman’s position at this time.

Cherokee County commissioners expressed their gratitude and appreciation of Foreman’s work as county veteran service officer in February.

“It’s with great reluctance that I make the motion to approve his resignation,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Moody Glass said.

County Judge Chris Davis added, “We hate to see you go. You’ve done a fantastic job.”

The motion was approved unanimously by the court.

“I think it says a lot about his dedication when he gets as much support from the citizens as he (Foreman) does,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin Pierce said in February. “Anytime anything was needed, people from outside the office would call to tell us. That’s a testament to his dedication.”

        

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