Trent McKinnon, a Marine Corps veteran, introduces the Blue Star Memorial on the behalf of ABAC Student Veteran Organization.

TIFTON — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College held a book signing and lecture from Col. Ralph Puckett to showcase his book “Ranger: A Soldier’s Life.”

In honor of the Blue Star Memorial Ceremony, ABAC brought Puckett for a lecture on the importance of serving our country.

“America cannot be the land of the free, without being the land of the brave,” said Puckett.

Puckett trained Clark Welch who was in command of Medal of Honor recipient and Tifton native Harold B. “Pinky” Durham Jr.

Welch reported the brave heroic acts of “Pinky” Durham to Puckett.

“I was in Vietnam at the time of “Pinky” Durham’s heroic acts while the students and others in this country were doing everything possible to hinder our efforts in Vietnam,” said Puckett. They were demonstrating and burning their draft cards, while we had soldiers dying for the cause.”

The audience asked Puckett questions about his life, and current situations the troops are facing.

One audience member asked Puckett the factors he believed define the American soldier.

“The best thing he has [the American soldier] is love of country and love of his fellow man,” said Puckett. “That soldier will do anything possible to look after his buddy.”

Another member from the crowd asked him about his stance on allowing female soldiers into combat arms.

“It’s been forced in my opinion, largely by politics to please this group or that group,” said Puckett. “Anybody and everybody who is capable to meeting the requirements, mental and physical, should serve in these positions.”

One of Puckett’s personal stances is that everyone should serve in national service however they can.

“Everyone needs to serve,” said Puckett. “Not necessarily in the military, but in some line of work that assists our country. Give something to our country in return of being here.”

Puckett is a decorated Korean and Vietnam War veteran and an inductee to the Army Ranger Hall of Fame. He graduated in 1949 from the United States Military Academy and has a master’s degree in personnel administration from George Washington University.

Puckett goes around to speak on the behalf of honoring veterans.

ABAC has been named a military friendly college and a Purple Heart College for increasing their initiative to serve ABAC veterans who have served our country.

“I want future generations of ABAC students to know that we respect the honor, the integrity, and the valor of those who serve in the armed forces of our country,” said ABAC President David Bridges.

The Blue Star Memorial serves as a tribute to everyone who has served in the Armed Forces. The ceremony took place one year after ABAC built their Freedom Gallery.

The gallery tells the story about the life of “Pinky” Durham who is an ABAC alumnus and Tifton High School graduate.

“The Freedom Gallery is a tribute to all the brave men and women who place themselves in harm’s way every day so that all Americans can be free,” Bridges said. “It is a key component in our new Veterans Initiative.”