September 12, 2023 – Chaplain Marty Watkins has been awarded the David Freyling Community Impact Award by the History of the Heartland and Cruise 11 to Remember 9-11. Watkins was presented the award on Sunday, Sept 10 while serving as Master of ceremonies for the Cruise 11 Prayer Service.
The David Freyling Community Impact annual award was created in memory of David Freyling. Mr. Freyling was a veteran and continued to serve his fellow veterans and community in many capacities until his death in 2018. Dave Freyling was the spokesman and emcee for the Cruise 11 event until his death.
“I am proud to present this Community Impact Award to Marty Watkins. In our world today we need more people like David Freyling and Marty Watkins,” said Ayn Owens, creator of the award. “I watched David Freyling go above and beyond to serve this community and I continue to see Marty step up to the plate to serve our community needs using his unique abilities and positive perspective.”
Mr. Watkins is very involved in the community in many aspects, including at the Salvation Army, teaching karate lessons, serving on the Macon County Ethics Commission, buying shoes for children in need, and serving as Chaplain of the Macon County Sheriff’s Department. He has also served as a corrections officer and Macon County auxiliary deputy. Watkins is a Richland Community College alumnus, a disabled Army veteran, and has served and continues to serve on several community organization’s boards or commissions.
