Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and community partners pose with the veterans and their gifted backpacks at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

Operation Holiday Honor: A Path to New Beginnings
Supporting Veterans with Care, Resources, and Opportunities This Holiday Season

The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office hosted Operation Holiday Honor: A Path to New Beginning on Monday, December 16th at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. This heartfelt initiative was dedicated to honoring veterans while providing vital care, resources, and opportunities this holiday season. The event focused on uplifting veterans, particularly those in incarceration, by connecting them to support systems aimed at fostering new beginnings.  

Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff David Jones opened the program with a warm welcome and thanked the military veterans for their service. Following this, Deputy Nedra Handia, who curated the event, delivered an overview of its purpose, emphasizing its goal to provide essential care and resources while acknowledging the sacrifices and challenges faced by veterans.  

Col. Michael A. Williams, a veteran and the jail commander for the Adult Detention Center, delivered inspirational remarks, underlining the importance of community collaboration in supporting veterans on their journeys.  

Michael Wilson from the Get To Work Foundation addressed attendees, sharing opportunities for skill-building and employment while encouraging veterans to utilize available resources for personal growth. Mark Eister of The Warrior Alliance spoke about the importance of organizations in helping veterans transition successfully into stable, productive lives. Vietnam veteran Dan Hydrick, representing Hygun Group and a long-time mentor of the Cobb County Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court, reflected on perseverance, community support, and the significance of honoring service, delivering a powerful message of hope and determination.  

A highlight of the program was the presentation of backpacks, courtesy of United Military Healthcare, Inc. Each backpack symbolized care, respect, and the tools to embark on a fresh start, serving as a practical reminder that these veterans are seen, valued, and supported.  

The event ended with a reception where veterans and stakeholders gathered to connect, share stories, and build meaningful relationships. 

Operation Holiday Honor: A Path to New Beginnings not only delivered practical resources but also conveyed a powerful message of hope and support during the holiday season. This initiative exemplified the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing commitment to honoring veterans and ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to move forward with dignity and confidence.  

Social Media Engagement:

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Photo Credit: The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office

For more information on the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office:
https://www.cobbsheriff.org

For more pictures of the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event, use the link below:

Photos & Videos

:: Courtesy of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office::

Dan Hydrick (vietnam veteran - Hygun Group) speaks about encouragement to the military veterans at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

Chief of Staff Jones gives a warm welcome to all of the stakeholders and overviews the program at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

Col. Williams gives some heartfelt remarks to the military veterans at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

Deputy Cruz shares a laugh with the military veterans at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

Michael Wilson (Get to Work Foundation) shares resources and job opportunities that will be readily available for the veterans upon their release at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event. 

Mark Eister (Warrior Alliance) shook each of the veterans hands and thanked them for their service at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

A veteran in our care gets interviewed by the media at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

Deputy Handia speaks on why she came up with Operation: Holiday Honor in support of our veterans.

Military veterans ranging from branches of the Air Force to the Army listen in as the speakers pour into them at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

Mr. Wilson passes out pamphlets and cards to the veterans at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

Lt. Col. Bains and Deputy Handia display the backpacks and show what’s inside -  toiletries, non perishables and undergarments at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.

 
Mr. Wilson speaks to a veteran to expand on information about the “Get to Work” program at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event. 

Cake was served to show our appreciation to the veterans in the Adult Detention Center at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event. 

Chief of Staff Jones (far left), the veterans (middle) with their backpacks and Col. Williams (far right), smile for the camera at the Operation: Holiday Honor veterans event.