Lt. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, Third Army/ARCENT commanding general presents a Third Army Command coin of excellence to Gen. (Ret.) Ronald H. Griffith, a LaFayette, Ga., native, at the ninth annual Armed Forces Day Barbecue in LaFayette on May 19, 2012.

The event, sponsored by Chapter 12 of the Northwest Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance, allowed friends, families and strangers an opportunity to strengthen relationships through shared stories of service and dedication.

Brooks said he last visited LaFayette more than 16 years ago while serving as Griffith's aide-de-camp.

Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Mylinda Durousseau