Iraq war veteran honored by Red Bay council

At Monday’s meeting of the Red Bay City Council, National Guard Specialist Jordan Seahorn addressed the council and expressed his thanks for all the outpouring of concern and support he has received from members of the city during his service in northern Iraq.

Seahorn has spent the past eight months in Mosul, Iraq involved in an advise and assist role with the Alabama Army National Guard’s 214th Military Police Company out of Alexander City.

“Since I’ve been gone, I’ve been checked on by Mr. [Brad] Bolton, my family at the police department, and Mrs. McNeil’s Spanish class who sent care packages to our unit,” Seahorn said. “I’m very appreciative of everyone in Red Bay who has been concerned about me and the rest of my unit, and I just wanted to come here to thank you.”

To show his appreciation, Seahorn presented Mayor Bobby Forsythe and the city council with a 1st Calvary Division combat patch that Seahorn wore while carrying out his mission in Iraq. He also presented the city with a certificate from his commanding officer.

“Both the patch and the certificate will be proudly displayed at city hall,” Forsythe said, while the crowd at the meeting gave Seahorn a standing ovation. “There is no way we could have the words to tell each of our servicemen and women how thankful we are for their service.

“It’s people like Jordan who make it possible for us to even have a city council meeting here tonight. We have our freedoms because of their sacrifice.”

Seahorn said the unit would be stationed in Mosul until the end of May, and he will return to Iraq on Thursday.

In other business, the city council:

• Accepted the resignation of Judy Malone from the Franklin County Board of Equalization. The opening will be posted for two weeks, and those wishing to sign up may do so at Red Bay City Hall.

• Rescheduled the next meeting of the city council to Tuesday, Feb. 22 due to President’s Day on Feb. 21.

• Approved to pursue a $100,000 line item grant from ADECA.