DAR presents Community Service Award to John Tapley

During the February meeting of Governor David Emanuel-Adam Brinson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Carol Canady presented John Tapley with the Community Service Award. This prestigious award recognizes a person for their outstanding contribution to the community through voluntary service. John Tapley certainly represents what it means to give back to the community.

John is a veteran and chairs the Veterans of the Library group that meets every Monday morning at the Franklin Memorial Library for coffee and breakfast. Fifteen years ago when Virginia Bolton began the group, it consisted of 4 to 8 people. When Covid hit, the group was unable to meet. With the assistance of John Tapley, the group was revitalized and now averages an attendance of around 50 every week. Passionate about how veterans can impact the community, he worked hard to increase the number of attendees and to find projects that supported the community. One such project is Wreaths Across America.

Three years ago, under the guidance of John, the veterans undertook the project of Wreaths Across America locally. Sponsorships were sought to provide wreaths in December to be placed by the group in honor of or in memory of a loved one who served in our armed forces. What started with a few wreaths three years ago has now grown to over 2,000 wreaths being placed this past December. The community is very proud to see the wreaths across the county.