Joe Worrell is an avid supporter of United States military veterans and is included in that group himself. However, his enthusiasm goes beyond personal experience. He is a proud serviceman who loves his country, those who have served and those who continue to serve.
While working for the City of Magee with support from then Mayor Jimmy Clyde, Worrell began honoring vets in 2008 with a Veterans Day Service that featured guest speakers and a meal. When he retired from the city three years ago, Worrell took the program with him. Now in its 15th year it is hosted by Goodwater Baptist Church. The Magee Volunteer Fire Department provides the meat for the lunch, and the ladies of the church provide the rest.
This year’s event was held on November 10. Worrell welcomed everyone in attendance, made opening remarks, and lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem. Goodwater Pastor Bro. Jacob Webb opened in prayer and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for being here. You did what you did so that I can do what I’m doing. Without what you’ve done I could never do what I’m doing. A John Adams quote said ‘I must study war so that my children have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.’ Thank you.”
Guest speaker was Holly Plunk-Williams, the Mommy and Me Director of Beauty from Ashes Recovery Center in Magee. She is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The mother of two sons, Plunk-Williams is also in ministry school with the Church of God.
After thanking Worrell for the opportunity to speak thanking each of the veterans in attendance, she said, “Y’all have paved the way for people from my generation and those that have come behind y’all to really dig in and want to join the military, to serve other people selflessly, without hesitation.”
Plunk-Williams was born and raised in Calhoun County, Miss., the daughter of a deputy sheriff. Her father and grandfather are also retired military. “I felt like I was predestined to join the military. I was the oldest so I felt like that was on me. The Navy stood out to me more than any other.”
Her desire to join the military was solidified when Plunk-Williams went to Washington, D.C., the summer between her 6th and 7th grade school years. She saw all the monuments and the White House, but the turning point, she said, was Arlington National Cemetery. “Standing out there in those fields looking at all that, it changed everything.”
She entered boot camp January 2, 2006. After completion Plunk-Williams received her orders to attach to the USS Enterprise.
Plunk-Williams was discharged in 2008 but not after developing a habit, drinking. “They say drink like a sailor and my group was determined to live up to that. I learned a lot of lessons during my time in the military. My service left lasting effects on me and I will never be the same. But I do thank God for His saving power and His redemption.”
After 12 years as an alcoholic and drug addict Plunk-Williams found sobriety. “November 25, 2020 was the last time I ever drank or took a pill. I have been free now for three years. God delivered me from the grips of alcohol and addiction. I am in ministry. I am teaching other women how to be moms and teaching other veterans, both male and female, that there is hope through something other than drugs and alcohol. Our hope is found in Jesus alone.”
Worrell’s closing comments touched on the lack of people who serve or sign up for military service. He shared staggering statistics: 11.4% of the US population served during World War II. Today it is less than 1%. He added that he would like to see an ROTC program brought into Simpson County Schools to help address this need.
Jimmy Clyde closed the program with Taps.
