Lt. Col (ret) George Judson (Jud) Whitlock, a former pilot of Marine One and Marine Two, will be the guest speaker for the 2024 Veterans Day ceremony.
The ceremony is hosted by the City of Andalusia at the Covington Veterans Monument immediately following the Chamber of Commerce’s 10 a.m. Veterans Day parade.
Whitlock is a native of Memphis who was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis.
After completing The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Va., he reported to flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, where he was designated a naval aviator in 1977.
Whitlock spent 22 of the next 24 years in the cockpit, and accumulated 5,300 accident-free hours in eight different aircraft.
Highlights of his career included selection to command two squadrons, one a tactical, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 (HMH-462) at MCAS Tustin, CA, and one a training, Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 301 (HMT-301) at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI. Additionally, he was selected to be assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), where he became a White House Aircraft Commander and was a Marine One Co-Pilot and Marine Two Pilot during the Reagan/Bush administration. While assigned to HMX-1, one of his primary duties was as White House Liaison Officer (WHLO), and he was honored to perform advance work for Pope John Paul II’s trip to Los Angeles.
He performed various other flying assignments including Standardization Officer, NATOPS Model Manager, and multiple assignments in both the Operations and Maintenance Departments of tactical and training squadrons. He was the Executive Officer of HMH-462 during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, commonly called the first Gulf War.
Staff assignments included two tours at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) in the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Division, where he served as the Head of Officer Career Counseling and the Head of Prevention and Education Programs.
He retired from the Marine Corps in January of 2000 with more than 24 years of service. Personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (two gold stars), Navy Commendation Medal (two gold stars), Air Medal (strike /flight numeral 3), Presidential Service Badge, Sea Service Deployment ribbon (with three stars), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
After retiring, Whitlock used his experience in Marine aviation at Headquarters Marine Corps, Training and Education Command (TECOM), as a contractor supporting the Aviation Standards Branch (ASB) in Quantico, Virginia. During this time, his extensive background in the Training and Readiness (T&R) process for training aircrew led to the design, development, and fielding of the Core Competency Resource Model (CCRM), an analytical process/model that objectively links training standards and readiness reporting levels to resource requirements. For the past 16 years, the CCRM Flight Hour Module has been the Marine Corps sole source justification tool for submission of Marine Corps flight hour budget, a $6.0B requirement.
He and his wife, Gayle, moved to Andalusia in 2014. They are the parents of Dr. Shannon (Ronnie) Levitzke, Kyle Whitlock, and Megan (Matt) Brady, and the grandparents of 8 Jocelyn, Tyler, Mia, Abby, Claire, Paige, Molly, and Harrison.
Whitlock said his retirement goals include spoiling his grandchildren and reducing his handicap in golf.
The Andalusia City Council last week approved an agreement with The Cottages at Packer Field, LLC to build 20 two-bedroom and three-bedroom cottages on the property currently known as Packer Field, and bordered by Packer Avenue and Snowden Drive.
City administrator John Thompson said the project is the culmination of years of work.
“We know that we have lost population in recent Censuses, and we believe the reason has been the lack of housing,” Thompson said. “We know we’ve lost at least one economic development project because we didn’t have housing available for the people who would have needed to relocate here.”
Thompson introduced Frank Thomas of Montgomery, who will build the workforce houses through the Cottages at Packer Field, LLC, and Kathleen M. Ferrell, CPM, of Enterprise, who will manage the rental properties.
Ferrell said the houses will be leased at “market rate.” The two-bedroom homes are approximately 1,200 square feet and will rent for about $1,525. The three-bedroom homes are approximately 1,450 square feet and will rent for $1,795.
“Our criteria for renting are strict,” she said, adding that tenants must have been employed for six months, show proof of income of at least three times the rental amount, and provide landlord references.
The City of Andalusia has had a long-held agreement to use Packer Field for its recreation programs, but the City’s Capital Improvement Cooperative District actually acquired the property within the last two years.
The agreement approved recently calls for the Cooperative District to deed a portion of the property to the LLC for the initial construction. Once those houses are built and leased, a second phase is expected to follow. The City Council will rebate the non-education sales taxes collected on construction-related purchases made within the City.
Once an engineering study is completed, the City and developers will decide whether the first phase will front on Snowden Drive or Packer Avenue.
The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday appointed Dr. Charles Eldridge to the Andalusia City Board of Education.
Dr. Eldridge was appointed to fill the vacancy in the District 5 position created by the untimely passing of longtime board member Dr. David McCalman. The Code of Alabama requires the City Council of the City of Andalusia to fill a vacancy within 30 days.
“Dr. McCalman served this community well, both as a physician and on the board of education,” Mayor Earl Johnson. “Dr. McCalman led the board through some important projects, and he will be missed.”
Similarly, he said, Dr. Eldridge has served the community in many roles.
“Almost everyone in Andalusia knows Charles Eldridge as ‘Dr. E,’ “ the mayor said of the long-time Andalusia pediatrician. “In both his professional and civic life, he has spent his efforts helping children.”
Eldridge currently chairs the Public Education Building Authority board, and in that role, led the effort to raise more than $1.1 million in private donations for the renovations of the Andalusia High School stadium and auditorium that were completed in 2019.
He previously also has served on the board of Andalusia Health, and the Covington County Child Advocacy Center.
Eldridge is expected to be sworn into office at the board’s next meeting.
Andalusia Public Library announced this week that it is migrating its digital services to Libby, the award-winning reading app from OverDrive, which allows patrons to access “Libby Extras” content as well as the library’s digital books.
Andalusia Public Library Director Sara Mixson said with Libby, APL patrons will have access to more than 51,000 titles through Camellia Net, a consortium of 150+ libraries across the state of Alabama.
“We are very excited to provide this service for our patrons. This new platform will greatly increase our collection and improve our accessibility,” Mixson said.
APL patrons with a valid library card can access a new variety of content that entertains, educates and provides unique digital experiences in addition to the library’s ebooks and audiobooks, including digital magazines. The content is available with the Libby app, or by using the following links:
• camellia.overdrive.com
• libbyapp.com
• apl.tlcdelivers.com
The locally selected collection offers content for readers of all ages from virtually every subject ranging from mystery, romance, children’s, business and more.
PIN numbers are automatically set to patrons’ zip codes.
This service is compatible with all major computers and devices, iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [U.S. only]. All titles will automatically expire at the end of the 14-day lending period and there are no late fees. Readers can also download titles onto Libby for offline use.
Patrons currently using APL’s CloudLibrary service will be able to finish reading current selections but will need to migrate to Libby to continue enjoying ebooks, Mixson said.
For assistance with the app, or to obtain a library card, patrons may visit Andalusia Public Library Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. or call 334-222-6612.
Four former Bulldogs were inducted into the Andalusia High School Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Andalusia City Hall Friday afternoon.
JOHN HENRY DANIELS, Class of 1961, known as “Big John,” played for the Ralph J. Bunche Wildcats football team from 1958 to 1960 as a defensive end, offensive end, and middle guard, leading them to winning seasons, including an undefeated 1960. He valued his time there, learning valuable lessons on and off the field from Principal CC Baker and Coach J.C. Hall, who provided guidance akin to father figures alongside his parents and community. Big John embraced the school’s motto, “Make Sure You’re Right, Then Go Ahead,” instilling the same values in his eight children.
Waverly “Boot” Flowers, Class of 1974, was a two-year starter at defensive tackle at AHS, contributing to the team in both 1972 and 1973, including the Bulldogs’ run to the state runner-up title in 1973. In his senior year, Flowers was named All-SAC, earned Honorable Mention All-State recognition by the Birmingham News, and was honored as Andalusia’s Best Defensive Lineman. He was a
two-year starter on the defensive line at Livingston University and was named Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Pioneer Bowl, a nationally-televised playoff game in 1975. In basketball at AHS, he earned a spot on the First Team All-State Tournament Team in 1973 and was named All-SAC in both 1973 and 1974.
Leon Hattaway, Class of 1980, was a three-year starter (1977-1979), playing a variety of positions, including corner back, running back, wide receiver, punt returner, kick-off returner and kicker. He was a member of Andalusia’s 1977 State Championship Team. The Montgomery
Advertiser named him First Team All-State after his junior and senior seasons. He also was named All Conference in 1978 and 1979. He was named Andalusia’s Best Defensive Back his junior year and Andalusia’s Most Versatile Player his senior year. He was a three-year letterman in baseball, making First Team also All-Conference after his junior and senior seasons. He was named Andalusia Baseball’s Most Valuable Player and permanent Team Captain in 1980. He played college baseball at LBW.
DAVID MOORE, Class of 1966, was a three-year letterman from 1963 through 1965. Moore played as both an outstanding center on offense and linebacker on defense during the 1963 and 1964 seasons, but moved to tackle in 1965 when he was named AHS Best Blocking Lineman and Team Captain. He was named First Team All-Conference and an All-State Honorable Mention by the Birmingham
News in 1965. Moore attended the Marion Military Institute where he started at nose guard in 1966 and tackle in 1967. He was also president of the “M” Club at Marion.
Andalusia High School Football Hall of Fame Committee members select honorees each year. Committee members are Lucky Cope, Robert Cremer, John Jones, David Moore, Joe Nix,
Larry Brown, Will Sconiers, Lex Short, Jimmy Wilson, Jackie Woods, Jr., Kyle Gantt, Trent Taylor, and
Ray Wilson.