You guys are AWESOME!  You showed up, all the way to Fayetteville, NC, and showed out!
 
Friday Night Meet and Greet there were so many relatives; we had an overflow to another room.   The night began with a Welcome, Prayer and Blessing of the Food as well.  Then it was FOOD, FOOD and more FOOD---SCRUMPTIOUS, DELECTABLE, just simply DELICIOUS!!!  From the Pulled Pork Sliders, Asian Slaw Pasta Shells, Shrimp and Grits, Grilled Chicken Skewers to the Strawberry Shortcake---not to mention The Presentation, SUPERB! Frances Pledger was one happy camper; she was the $220.00 winner of the 50/50 Raffle.  There was also a heated Family Feud Game going but at the end “THE GRANT’S” walked away with the TROPHIES.  Socializing and just catching up from 2018 carried the night through.
 
Saturday Morning was simply BEAUTIFUL!  Everyone (dressed in tees, visors and white attire) came out to the AIRBORNE and SPECIAL OPS MUSEUM.  This museum takes visitors through the history of airborne and special operations soldiers from 1940 to the present day.  I believe we all found it very interesting just seeing how our Military Troops sacrifice their lives daily protecting us.  Immediately following was our Picnic near the lake. Card games, kids having fun walking the trails and FOOD, FOOD and more FOOD a second time! Much socializing and just fun being among FAMILY!
 
Not sure which event was everyone’s favorite but I think our Black & White Saturday Night Family Banquet at Fort Bragg Military Base topped it off! President Linda Duncan accepted A Proclamation presented to our Family from a City Council member; Rhonda Anthony did a Memorial Tribute with a “Soulstirring Tearjerker Poem”;  Presentations by Linda Duncan to: Annie Grant, Evelyn Jackson and Frances Pledger---“Oldest Family Members” and to the “Graduates”---Brandon Pledger-College, Mykeria Riggins-8^th Grade and Alauna Bass-6^th Grade.  Remarks were given by Jimmie Williams and “Pass the Gifts” with 17 winners.  Then it was FOOD, FOOD and more FOOD once more!  Thereafter, it was Dancing the Night away, from the 5 year olds to the Seniors, having fun until the night ended.
 
Sunday’s Worship Service was at First Baptist Church, where Ellison Ellison is a member.  Immediately following, Lunch at the Golden Corral Restaurant.  Then it was good-byes until next year and everyone went their merry ways!
 
ACCOLADES TO: COUSIN TONY HOWELL AND COUSIN THOMAS FITZGERALD, III “TONY”
Although they couldn’t attend, these guys thought it not robbery to send a $200  donation each to support the Family Reunion.
 
SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO COUSIN DONNA DOPSON!
Donnas’ Resilience and Determination to make our 2019 LIMITED EDITION ANTHONY-ELLISON FAMILY PICTORIAL DIRECTORY “EXCEPTIONAL” truly paid off!  Her job enduring the telephone calls, changes in directory, adding pictures, etc. genuinely deserves a “HAT’S OFF AWARD”!
 
OVERALL, WE JUST WANTED TO SAY “THANK YOU” AND LET YOU KNOW HOW APPRECIATIVE WE ARE FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE THIS YEAR.  HAVING SAID THAT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU, YOU AND EVEN YOU AT NEXT YEAR’S FAMILY REUNION!!
   
 
Love and Blessings,
The Reunion Committee