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FROM OUR PUBLISHER
My parents have
a photo of my Uncle
Irwin holding me.
I was just a toddler so
I don’t remember him
well, but I’ve heard lots
of stories about him.
He and my Aunt Candy had only been married a year and
a half when he got orders for Vietnam. He was a flight pilot and
flew missions in his F-4 Phantom jet. Irwin was nicknamed “Ace”
because he was tops in his crew of pilots.
His was a young life, a “new” husband and had just been ordained
a deacon where he and Candy were members in Virginia Beach, VA.
Then the tragic news came. His plane exploded during a maneuver
of his final mission. He was given a memorial burial at sea.
We owe more than we can imagine to the military who have
given all to preserve our freedoms. I will forever be grateful for their
ultimate sacrifices.
It would be most fitting to take time to remember the price of
our freedom this 4th of July. So many still carry the scars of the cost.
HOMETOWN STAFF
PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Tahya Dobbs
CFO
Kevin Dobbs
CONSULTING EDITOR
Mary Ann Kirby
IN THIS ISSUE
The Way We Were 6
Out of the Wreck I Rise 12
A Peaceful Mission 20
Top 40 Under 40 26
Hometown Family 56
On Military Service & Family Life 66
Neighborhood Eats 80
Shannon’s Home of Hope 84
Rankin’s Red Carpet 97
The Time Coin 114
SPECIAL PROJECTS
MANAGER
Brenda McCall
SPECIAL PROJECTS
ASSISTANT
Caroline Hodges
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
Alisha Floyd
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Kim Cochram
...see you around town.
LAYOUT DESIGN
Daniel Thomas
3dt
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Othel Anding
ADVERTISING
ASSISTANT
Jodi Jackson
www.facebook.com/hometownrankinmagazine. For subscription information visit www.htmags.com or contact us at info@HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 / 26 Eastgate Drive, Suite F / Brandon, MS 39042
All rights reserved. No portion of Hometown Rankin may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Hometown Rankin is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers or editors.
Hometown Rankin maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Hometown Rankin is funded by advertising.
Hometown RANKIN • 3