Post office dedicated to war hero

(Top Photo) The Hazlehurst Post Office held a renaming ceremony on Tuesday morning, in honor of a local hero who gave his life in World War II.  Peter B. Perkins, Jr., and Ann Perkins Shoemake unveiled the display situated in the southwest corner of the Hazlehurst Post Office honoring their uncle, Marine First Lieutenant Alvin Chester Cockrell, Jr., who was killed while battling the Japanese at Guadalcanal on September 24, 1942. Also pictured are, from left, Charles D. Shoemake, current postmaster Jim Davis and John T. Armstrong, Jr. Shoemake and Armstrong were the catalysts to get Congress to rename the post office, dating back to 2001.  The post office is now officially called the First Lieutenant Alvin Chester Cockrell, Jr. Post Office Building.

(Bottom Photo) Shoemake presents Postmaster Davis with the official Congressional proclamation renaming the building. At bottom right, the Hazlehurst JROTC presents the colors.  Renee Berry sang the National Anthem.  Rev. Anna Fleming-Jones of Hazlehurst UMC led the invocation.  ‘Taps’ was performed by C. J. Sills, a student at Wesson Attendance Center.