Local veteran marches in front of Bulloch Courthouse

United States Army and Marine Corps veteran Benjamin Franklin Whittington, Jr., 59, of Statesboro, left, shares a moment with Georgia Southern University student Sean Parchem, 19, of Marietta while marching in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse Thursday. Whittington, who served combat duty in Vietnam, wanted to raise awareness about about veterans' healthcare issues, protest the cost-of-living pay increase Congress voted for itself this week, and other government issues. Parchem, who's father also served in Vietnam, wanted to take the time to thank Whittington.

031209 VET PROTEST 1 web — United States Army and Marine Corps veteran Benjamin Franklin Whittington, Jr., 59, of Statesboro, left, shares a moment with Georgia Southern University student Sean Parchem, 19, of Marietta while marching in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse Thursday. Whittington, who served combat duty in Vietnam, wanted to raise awareness about about veterans' healthcare issues, protest the cost-of-living pay increase Congress voted for itself this week, and other government issues. Parchem, who's father also served in Vietnam, wanted to take the time to thank Whittington.

United States Army and Marine Corps veteran Benjamin Franklin Whittington, Jr., 59, of Statesboro marched in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse Thursday. Whittington, who served combat duty in Vietnam, wanted to raise awareness about about veterans' healthcare issues and protest the cost-of-living pay increase Congress voted for itself this week.