LONNIEDELLIS

Born in Savannah, Georgia and the second of six children to Jessie Eugene (Preacher) Ellis Jr. and Willene Rewis, Lonnie was raised primarily in Bulloch County. He attended and graduated from Statesboro High School in 1989 then promptly joined the United States Marine Corps.

Corp Life would go on to grow him though recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC from Sept 1989 to where he graduated from Boot Camp on the the 12th of Jan, 1990 with a great outlook, ready to serve his country.

Next came Marine Combat Training and Marine Corps School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, NC where he was assigned to Golf Company 2nd Battalion 8th Marines at Camp LeJuene, NC. Prior to deploying with 8th Marines on a Mediterranean Float, He was assigned to a Casualty Replacement Company and underwent more infantry training in preparations for deployment to Desert Shield/ Desert Storm. After the war, Lonnie returned to Camp LeJuene where he completed his service and moved to Illinois. 

While living in Illinois, Lonnie joined the American Legion and the VFW. He served in many levels at the local Post, County and District of the American Legion. He also graduated from the American Legion College in 2000. 

Lonnie rejoined the military in February of 2008 and was sent to FT. Sill, OK where he underwent retraining on the basics of being a soldier. He was then stationed at FT. Lee, VA where he was trained in fueling techniques of Planes, Helo's, Tanks and the various other vehicles in the Army. Lonnie was then sent to FT. Leonard Wood, MO to learn how to drive semi's. Upon completion of this school in Aug 2008, he was assigned to the 5th Squadron 7th Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Stewart, GA. In December of 2009, Lonnie deployed to Iraq again.

While deployed to Iraq, Lonnie wrote a book of Poetry titled "War and Peace and Poetry." It is a book of of moving writings that catalog the variety of emotions service members and their families deal with during deployments. It was published by Trafford Publishing in December of 2010 and hit the shelf six days prior to his return from Iraq. Lonnie reintegrated at FT Stewart upon his return and left the Army on the 16th of Sept 2012. 

Lonnie is the proud father 2 stellar boys and a smarty pants daughter. He is also the proud grandfather of 2 awesome granddaughters.