24 | www.cbaofga.com | Spr ing 2014

Pinnacle Bank’s Anne Harris Supports Soldiers after Handling the Greatest Loss, a Child Killed in War

Just 15 days shy of his 28th birthday, Staff Sgt. Blake M. Harris

was killed in Iraq on March 15, 2007. Blake was on his second tour in Iraq and had been in the Army for almost ten years. The Staff Sergeant had been in Iraq for six months when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated, taking his life along with three others.

“Blake loved his job. He wanted to be a

soldier from age 6,” said Blake’s mother, Anne Harris, Assistant Vice President at Pinnacle Bank in Elberton. “We signed papers with him when he was 16 to go into the Army after graduation from high school.” Just one week after he graduated from Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Georgia in 1997, Blake left Georgia for Boot Camp in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. From there he went to Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) at Ft. Lee, VA and then to Paratroop school at Ft. Benning. He was installed into the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg, NC.

Three deployments and nine years later, Anne had become a pro at shipping care packages to her son overseas. Although postage for these packages was not cheap, Anne didn’t mind because she knew her son loved receiving them. Items in the packages that she sent to Blake were things he couldn’t get at field supply areas on base or things that he liked and missed having available.

The last box Anne had shipped to her son for his birthday in 2007 was returned back to her because

of the tragic incident, but it was far from the last package that she would send to soldiers abroad. That June, Anne decided to send care packages to men from Blake’s unit who remained in the war zone in Iraq. The first 12 boxes were filled with items that had been donated by her and her fellow employees at Pinnacle Bank.

Blake’s father and Anne’s husband, Paul Harris, started spreading the word about the initiative that his wife had started. The following year Paul’s employer at the time, Athens Regional Hospital, also wanted to get involved in the project. Throughout the next five years, the number of boxes sent out to troops overseas continued to grow in the “Salute the Troops” program as it was now known. The goal of “Salute the Troops” was to make the lives of the fierce protectors a little easier while away from home. In 2013 alone, 225 boxes were sent to troops in Afghanistan and over $4,000 was donated to help with postage and to purchase items in short supply.

“This project has meant so much to me because I know how much my son enjoyed getting packages from home,” said Anne. “Knowing the guys receive the items they needed but couldn’t obtain in some of the field supply areas is always a joy. This was my way of continuing to show my support for our soldiers.”

Blake Harris in his

military uniform

Anne Harris visiting her son's grave at Arlington

Cemetary in 2009

Blake was a member of the 1st Calvary Division of the U.S. Army and had served previously as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan and the 1st Armor Division in Baghdad. He is survived by his parents, his wife Brandy Harris and son Tyrus, his brother Eric Harris and sister Holli Harris Bynum. Over 1,000 people attended his memorial service at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, GA. There were many people who spoke of Blake’s love of life, his immense love for his family, his mischievous nature, his beautiful smile

and his dedicated service. The burial service was held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, where Brigadier General R.D. Jones presented Blake’s family with Blake’s “Purple Heart and Bronze

Star” and other medals and pins of honor for his outstanding service to his country. The memorial flag was presented to Blake’s parents and also to his wife and son. The service included friends, comrades, and the impressive Arlington Honor Guard and ended with the twenty-one gun salute ringing through the cemetery followed by the playing of Taps. Anne commented, “I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to a fallen soldier than to be laid to rest

beside other fallen comrades that also gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of those that could not defend themselves.”

In 2014, Anne will change efforts to campaign for donations for the Wounded Warrior Project in lieu of packages. The Wounded Warrior Project’s mission is “To honor and empower Wounded Warriors.” Various events and programs to benefit the cause are held all over the U.S. throughout the year. Donations may be sent to Anne Harris c/o Pinnacle Bank, P.O. Box 430, Elberton, GA and checks should be made payable to Salute the Troops.

Blake and his mom Anne after boot camp graduation in 1997.

Pinnacle Bank’s Anne Harris

Anne Harris grew up in Royston, Georgia and shortly after graduating from Athens High School she began her career in Banking at C & S National Bank in Athens. Anne “grew up” in the banking industry and the past 45 years, she served in various positions such as teller, personal banker and lender to Vice President of Collection and Recovery. The majority of her banking career was focused in Collection and Recovery Management.

For the past nine years, Anne has been with Pinnacle Bank in Elberton. At Pinnacle Bank, she has served in Regulatory Compliance. Anne is now Assistant Vice President of Bank Secrecy Act/Anti- Money Laundering/Office of Foreign Assets Control (BSA/AML/OFAC). In this role Anne feels that she is honoring her son by doing her part to help our government keep watchful eyes on potential terrorism.

Anne and Paul Harris have been married for 38 years and have three children, Eric, Holli and Blake and three grandchildren. They live in Royston and attend First Baptist Church of Lavonia where they both sing in the choir.

Anne and Paul Harris - Memorial Day 2013

“A hero is someone who has

given his or her life to something

bigger than oneself.”

Joseph Campbell

Blake, Brandy and Tyrus Harris in 2005 prior to him

leaving for Germany