April 2024
Veteran of the Month, April 2024
Master Sergeant Retired Wayne Collins
Wayne Collins enlisted in the United States Army in Atlanta, Georgia in October of 1976 and was assigned to the United States Army Signal School at Fort Gordon, Georgia. There he completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training as a Wire Systems Installer/Switch Board Operator Maintainer.
During his military service, Wayne served with the 24th Signal Battalion, 24th Infantry in Fort Stewart Georgia, 261st Signal Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division Wurzburg Germany,2nd Combat Battalion Basic Training Fort McClellan Alabama as a Drill Sergeant, 228th Signal Battalion, 5th Signal Command Frankfurt Germany, 1st Signal Brigade JCCC Soul South Korea, Regimental Basic Noncommissioned Officers Academy United States Army Signal School First Sergeant, 335th Theater Signal Command East Point Georgia, and Camp Doha Kuwait City Kuwait.
Wayne Collins received awards and decorations that include the Meritorious Service Medal (5th Oak Leaf), Army Accommodation Medal (4th Oak Leaf), Achievement Award (4th Oak Leaf), Desert Storm/ Desert Sheild Campaign Ribbon, Airborne/Air Assault Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Drivers Badge, American Red Cross Life Saving accommodations, Bronze Order of Mercury Regimental Signal Association, and the German Marksmanship Badge (Bronze).
After 22 years of service, Master Sergeant Collins retired while stationed at Fort McPherson Georgia.
Mr. Collins has lived in the City of Morrow for 13 years. He serves as the Chairman of Morrows’ Planning and Zoning Board and is the current Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5080 in Morrow Georgia. He is active with Neighborhood Watch, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and the Geezer Squad. Wayne is married to Katherine, his loving wife of 45 years; from this union are two children, Marcus and Tanisha, and two grandchildren Wayne Carter and Ryleigh.