Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, Roy Drinkard and Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs at Friday evening’s event where Drinkard received a key to the city and a special certificate from Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN – In a brief ceremony on a cool and breezy Friday evening on First Avenue, Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs presented developer Roy Drinkard the key to the city of Cullman as part of the city’s Veterans Day weekend activities. In addition to his numerous business ventures, Drinkard, at 97 years of age, is the oldest living United States Marine.
The ceremony was led by Dennis Berse, and featured Jacobs, Sheriff Matt Gentry, Sgt. Christopher Cross from the Cullman Armed Forces Recruiting Center, and local Sons of the American Revolution chapter President Hal Thornton.
Berse presented Drinkard a certificate sent by Gov. Kay Ivey, which referred to Drinkard as a “respected Alabamian who has served his community and the state of Alabama with dignity, honor, and grace.” She thanked him for his service to the state and to his nation.
Jacobs presented Drinkard the key to the city, along with a certificate, noting his nearly 70 years of service to the Cullman community, and his distinction as the oldest living Marine.
Drinkard spoke briefly after receiving the awards, saying, “I always tell the people of Cullman and Cullman County, and the surrounding area, I love you. I love you very much. I love the home I live in, and I’m proud to be an American, proud to be an Alabamian, proud to be a Cullman Countian. Thank you so much.”
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