Tyler

THOMASVILLE — A group of Marines with a compassionate mission will be in Thomasville during the upcoming Veterans Day weekend.

The group — Brass Bonds — is made up of about a dozen Marines from throughout the country.

“We’re going to have a weekend full of fun things for veterans,” said Thomasville resident Nate Tyler, father of Justin Tyler, who is Brass Bonds co-chairman and a California resident.

Nate Tyler, who served in the Marines and is retired from the Army National Guard, said Brass Bonds travels around the country and networks with veterans who suffer from depression or other service-related situations encountered after returning to civilian life. Suicide prevention among veterans is among Brass Bonds’ objectives.

“When you’re in the military, you have a battle buddy who is not there at home,” Tyler said. “Back home, people don’t know what you went through.”

Tyler, who served with the National Guard in Iraq, said Brass Bonds members will arrive in Thomasville on Friday and eat dinner.

On Saturday, participants will receive spiritual training and take part in an exercise at the Thomasville Police Department firing range. Late Saturday afternoon, a cookout is planned, followed by the cutting of a cake in observance of the Marine Corps’ 243rd birthday.

“Sunday they will go to church on their own,” Tyler said.

Veterans will participate Monday in another firing range exercise. Lunch will be served afterward.

All activities are free to veterans.

Brass Bonds conducted exercises in Minnesota and California before coming to Georgia. Tyler’s son thought Thomasville would be a good host community, his father said.

“We want people to know we’ve been through what they’ve been through,” Tyler said.

For more information, contact Tyler at (229) 224-8783 or at natetylernt@gmail.com.

Brass Bonds can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820