Two Cars Among Golf Tourney Prizes

The 5^th Annual Sanford Lions Club Golf Tournament is set to tee off June 5 at Quail Ridge Golf Club and there will be chances to win not just one, but two new cars as hole-in-one prizes, according to Chairman Jim Romine.

He said Wilkinson Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, GMC of Sanford is offering one vehicle while Crossroads Ford of Cary is providing the second. “We greatly appreciate the support of these companies and many other Sanford area businesses who are helping the Lions bring much needed services to the blind and sight impaired as well as disadvantaged youth,” Romine said.

He added there is still time for golfers and teams to sign up for the fun event and for local businesses to help by being hole sponsors. For $100 an attractive permanent sign bearing the business name will be placed at a tee for all to see and afterwards will be presented to the business for display. Interested golfers or businesses can contact Romine at 774-1173 or at jromine@windstream.net, or any Lions Club member, many of whom have been canvassing the business community for support.

At the May 13 regular Lions meeting, a special program of remembrance, honor, and history was presented by the family of Lion Russel Mann whose brother, Joe H. Mann, lost his life in Belgium at the Battle of Bulge in January 1945. To commemorate the 65^th anniversary, Russel Mann and sons Tom and Tucker along with Tucker’s son-in-law Drew Smith, last year retraced the steps of Joe Mann’s army division from Normandy in France to the Ardennes region in southeastern Belgium where he was killed by a sniper.

The journey was one of deep emotion as well as extensive research. From military records of Joe Mann’s division, to contacting survivors of his unit, to excellent records kept in Europe at local libraries and public offices, Russel Mann was able to stand at the spot where his brother gave his life while fighting for peace. They also were shown where he was interred for two years at an American cemetery.

In 1947 Joe Mann’s remains, along with thousands of other American soldiers, were returned to the U.S. and he was laid to rest in his home of Jonesboro. Five other Lee County soldiers’ remains accompanied that shipment. An outstanding photo slide show highlighted the presentation, depicting the American cemeteries and many memorials erected honoring American soldiers and key wartime sites.

President Richard Hendley presided and Russel Mann gave the invocation. Richard Holshouser led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.