Local man serves during President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in Plains, GA

Todd Child of the Georgia State Defense Force (attached to GFAB South 4th Battalion) served the Georgia Department of Defense during former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in Plains, GA, alongside members of the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and State Guard.

Child has been a Pike resident for more than 20 years and has been a teacher in the Pike County Schools for most of that time. He was deployed to Plains, GA to help with President Jimmy Carter’s funeral from Jan. 2-9 and he helped set up parking areas and other facilities to handle the large crowds expected.

“I was also the NCOIC (non-commissioned officer in charge) responsible of the security at the media field beside Maranatha Baptist Church where President Carter’s funeral service took place,” said Child. “The media field is where all the approved state and national media gathered for the event. I was responsible for checking credentials and making sure no one entered without them. For security concerns that afternoon, I also had to make sure no member of the media left the media field without prior approval.”

The GSDF worked in coordination with the Secret Service and Homeland Security. As a result of the events in New Orleans and Las Vegas just days before, security was at a heightened level of awareness.
“Soldiers had to constantly keep their head on a swivel, looking for any signs of possible danger. I received a brigade challenge coin for my performance during the deployment,” said Child. “It was an honor to be part of such a historical event. When the hearse drove by with the casket and I was standing at attention saluting, I couldn’t help but stick my chest out a little more with pride. It was amazing. I was a senior in high school when Jimmy Carter was President. Working the funeral brought it kind of full circle for me.”