The last few weeks of June were difficult for our AMVETS GA Post 44 members.
Please allow me to divert from the norm and reflect on our comrade, Carolyn (CJ) Jamison.
As I reflect on the privilege of serving with my AMVET sister, Carolyn Jamison (CJ), I quietly reminisce, replaying all the good memories.
I met CJ 8 years ago….
From the very beginning, she embraced and greeted me, stating, “ I’m glad you’re here, we need more females!
CJ and I were a part of the Grand AMVETS Ball Committee for our 4th Annual Veterans Gala event. CJ has a brilliant mind and brought so many great ideas to fruition, which were planned, implemented, and executed. The event was one of the most memorable, I believe, within my tenure with the AMVETS. We could not have pulled it off without CJ‘s brilliant creativity, her forward thinking, and her leadership skills.
As we would all agree, CJ was definitely verbal in a positive way when she needed to get her words across and meaningfully convince us that her way “was the best way”. She was right!
CJ was a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy for over 18 years.
A memorable moment for me was when CJ presented as our guest speaker, explaining the role of her voluminous duties of being on a naval ship in berthing compartments. Can you imagine that?
She shared stories of how she worked on several navy vessels.
I felt claustrophobic just envisioning working in tight quarters and small places, what a pioneer she was!
CJ worked tirelessly and was an active member of her church Greenforrest Community Baptist in Decatur, GA, and held several positions, from choir member, to finance officer to name a few. For over 50 years she was active in her sorority of Delta Sigma Theta, the Decatur Alumni Chapter. She was also a Silver Life member of the NAACP and very active in the DeKalb County branch 5192 for many years.
I will always cherish the two days before her transition, when our executive committee met for our virtual monthly meeting. I was a little late jumping onto the meeting, but as soon as I did, the board members all said hello, and CJ shouted out, with a smile on her face, “Young lady, you owe us $75.00!
I couldn’t do anything or respond accept laugh out loud. CJ hadn’t even said good evening. She didn’t play about our AMVETS finance funds! I owed $75 for the successful June Fish Fry, where through joint efforts we raised over $2,400.00.
I’m certain that I speak on behalf of the entire body of AMVETS GA POST 44 and all the many people who are blessed to have known CJ.
We will miss you CJ, and we will never forget you.
Respectfully,
Dazz Spencer (AMVETS GA POST 44 Historian)
Photo Credits of thanks to:
COL. Leola McNeil (Ret), AMVETS GA POST 44
W. Phillips, Engagement Mgr. (MITK)