Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack Lloyd honored for service
By Grace Leonhart, 11/12/15 12:25 AM
HOPE–Brigadier General (Ret.) Herbert ‘Jack’ Lloyd was honored for his
longtime service to his country at Hempstead Hall Tuesday evening.
The introduction was given by Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton
and presentation of the colors was done by the 39th Infantry Brigade
Combat Team, Arkansas National Guard.
The National Anthem was sung by Rhealey McDonald, who is a Spring Hill
High School student. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Hempstead
County Judge Haskell Morse. The invocation was given by Pastor John
Nations and three people welcomed everyone, including Chancellor Chris
Thomason, UAHT; Mayor Dennis Ramsey, City of Hope, and Hempstead
County Judge Haskell Morse.
Recognition of special guests was brought by Colonel Michael Spraggins,
Commander of the 39th BDE Combat Team and dinner was served by the
Hope High School AJROTC and others.
A tribute to all veterans, POWs, Gold Star Families and presentation of
Honor and Remembrance Flags, along with the introduction of guest
speakers was by Michael Spraggins, Sheriff Singleton, and Gary Chambless.
Those families who were presented flags of remembrance included the
family of Thomas “Chad” Rosenbaum, Carlo Robinson, and James William
Holt.
General Barry R. McCaffrey spoke of Lloyd and their longtime friendship,
which began on the battlefield. He also spoke of the many times that Lloyd
showed that he cared about his soldiers by being so generous and kind.
Milton Bearden, who is also a longtime friend of Lloyd’s, spoke next and
told the audience of various incidents that Lloyd showed bravery all over
the world.
Bearden also spoke of others who were on the stage to honor Lloyd.
MSGT. Hank Lopez was with Lloyd when he went to speak to a leader of a
country and the leader said that he was going to kill them. Lloyd told the
leader that he was there to write a book about him and the leader changed
his tone.
Dr. Admir Seferovic, who was one of the 48 Bosnian interpreters that Lloyd
brought to the United States to further their education, was also on stage.
Seferovic is presently a medical doctor in Tyler, Texas and got his start of
his education with Lloyd’s help.
Colonel Nguyen Minh, who was in the South Vietnamese Army and worked
closely with Lloyd was also on stage and Bearden told the audience of
battles hard fought. The two men have remained friends for many years.
Lloyd took the mic and told the audience several stories about what war
was like and what he had been through.
After Lloyd surrendered the mic, Gary Chambless and Sheriff Singleton
gave a detailed description of the monument which was unveiled at the
courthouse on Wednesday. Chambless and Singleton originally came up
with the idea of the monument.