Veterans Park to honor Rep. John Gibson

By Caitlin Wolfe

DouglasNow.com

At Wednesday’s Veterans Park Committee meeting, a major topic of discussion was how to honor John Strickland Gibson who was once a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia’s 8th district. 

Born in 1893 and died in 1960, he was a Douglas resident and largely responsible for the G.I. Bill that was signed into law on June 22, 1944. This law would help to benefit millions of veterans with funds for college, unemployment insurance, and housing. It has been decided by the committee to honor Rep. Gibson by placing a plaque or monument in the Veterans Park.

It was also noted in the meeting that the committee plans to make a donation to the annual Wreaths Across America event that is held in December, and also place a wreath on the Fallen Soldiers Statue and the 63rd Army Air Force Flight Training monument during that time.  

The annual Gopher Tortoise Festival was discussed in the meeting as well. This festival will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at the Central Square Complex in Douglas from 9:00am to 6:00pm. The festival features live music and shows all day, arts and crafts, kids activities, pet adoptions, food trucks, and more.