Lewis County sent 15 soldiers to Arizona in support of the US Border Patrol from July 29 to August 19.

Operation Jump Start was ordered earlier this summer by President George W. Bush to support the US Border Patrol. The order's intent was to slow the amount of drug trafficking, illegal alien crossing, and smuggling on the Southwestern Border.

Kentucky's "Workhorse Battalion" (201st Engineer Battalion) was called to duty in this supporting role. The engineer troopers conducted various missions on the border to include; road maintenance and construction, construction of vehicle barriers, and personnel barriers.

According to the US Border Patrol, they have seen a near 50 percent reduction in illegal alien crossings and drug smuggling activities as of early August.

The contingent of Lewis County soldiers from the 201st Engineer Battalion included the following soldiers: HHC, Ashland, CPT Danny K. Prater, CPT James B Richmond and PVT Carolyn Maynard; B CO, Olive Hill, SFC Scott Owens, SSG Brian Thomas, SSG Brian Spencer, SGT Eric Bolander, SPC Joseph Owens, SPC Jeremy Denton, SPC Stephen Bilyeu, SPC Josh Brown, SPC Ryan Hilger, SPC Robert G Owens III, SPC Darrin Cushard and PVT Jacob Butler.

On Saturday, August 12, 2006, Cova and Shannon Maddox hosted a surprise 90th birthday party in Vanceburg for Emma Jordan.

In attendance were family and friends from Vanceburg, Ashland, Northern Kentucky, Mansfield, Ohio, Lima, Ohio, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Orlando, Florida.

Family members were able to guard this secret for over a month and what a surprise this was for her! Most family members spent the evening in Vanceburg and enjoyed breakfast Sunday morning hosted by Jim and Shirley Hamilton. All are looking forward to coming back for the 25th Annual Pig Roast/Family Reunion during Labor Day Weekend.

Emma received a variety of gifts, such as a Cracker Barrel rocking chair, a large rock for her garden engraved with "Emma Jordan 90 and Rockin'", a "World's Greatest Mom" throw and 13 balloons, which the family released in honor of family members that have ascended to the heavens.

One of her nieces gave her a heartfelt letter, which said this: "It goes without saying that you are a very special mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Our experience at your home has instilled the importance of family to us from a very young age, and those memories can never be taken away. We just need to remember them and keep our families as close as possible even as difficult as it is in today’s world."

In addition, Carol Rice Allen, Democratic candidate for State Senate, presented Mrs. Jordan with the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the title of Kentucky Colonel. 

The Governor and the Secretary of State give the Commissions for Kentucky Colonels to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation. 

One Governor, in an address to the Honorable Order, said, "The name Kentucky Colonel has become synonymous with strength of character, leadership and dedication to the welfare of others. Just as Isaac Shelby declared his trusted militia members to be his Kentucky Colonels, I see in you those things that place others above self". 

Visit the Kentucky Secretary of State Website (http://sos.ky.gov/executive/kentuckycolonels.htm) and the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Website (http://www.kycolonels.org/) for more information on this prestigious honor.