Local hero honored by Historical Society

By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Zell Miller speaks at the tribute to Eric England before helping to unveil the sculpture depicting England as a sharp-shooter. The Union County Historic Courthouse was the site of a special tribute Sunday, as guests packed the Candler-Duckworth Courtroom to honor retired Marine Master Sergeant Eric England, "history's greatest long-range shooter and legendary scout-sniper."

England, a native of Union County, served in the Marine Corps from 1950-1974. His service included time in Vietnam as a sniper with the 3rd Marine Division. England established his national marksmanship record at Fort Benning, Ga., in 1968. Not only has it never been broken, it is actually the longest standing shooting record in history at the National Rifle Association. England also participated on two Olympic teams.

Sunday's ceremony included the presentation of a sculpture depicting England as a sharp-shooter, and featured a guest list that included members of England's family, old army buddies, and former Georgia Governor and United States Senator Zell Miller.

Eric Rich, England's only nephew, began by explaining how much of an impact his uncle had on his life. "From a young boy uncle Eric has and always will be my hero," said Rich. "Whether it was him teaching me how to shoot, how to hunt or how to fish, I always wanted to make my uncle proud. Well today uncle, I'm proud of you."

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Eric England and artist Andy Davis stand next to the sculpture made in England's honor. Another speaker, Franklin Hunter, entertained the audience with childhood tales about England, always being careful to edit his stories enough to keep from getting England or Senator Miller into any trouble with their wives. One such story involved coaxing a drunk cat into a mailbox, before watching its inevitable dash in and out of a startled mailman's car windows.

When Senator Miller took the podium he spoke about England's early years in the military. "When Eric came home he was as sharp, squaredaway, and spit and polished as anything I had ever seen. He looked like he stepped off a Marine Corps. recruiting poster. I thought he was 10 feet tall," said Miller, "and I still do."

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Eric Rich (far left), England's nephew, Senator Miller and other guests pose with England at the reception following the Tribute cermony. Senator Miller later talked about going to the Baseball Hall of Fame with Hank Aaron, comparing England's stature at Quantico to the legendary homerun king's presence in baseball circles. People were "nudging one another and whispering, 'That's Eric England.' That's the kind of man we are honoring here today."

Another former Marine, Major Jim Land of the NRA, described England as "one of the most humble people I know." Land recalled that when England set his marksmanship record he immediately brushed it off. "It wasn't me, it was Old Yeller," England had said, referring to his trusty rifle which he had nicknamed.

Land went on to remark about how truly talented England was. "It almost wasn't fair," said Land. "He was so knowledgeable, so capable... his enemy was really handicapped. [But] the thing he did that was more important than any enemy he annihilated, he taught the youngsters how to use a rifle." Land seemed to capture the sentiments of all who spoke about England as he finished, saying, "Eric is one of the greatest Americans I know."

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam A custom-made cake to honor Eric R. England. Near the end of the ceremony, both Land and Senator Miller unveiled the sculpture, a donation made to the Union County Historical Society in honor of England's outstanding service to his country. The sculpture not only depicts England in his days as a sharpshooter, but also includes the signatures of many former Marines and replicas of marksmanship awards that England earned throughout his life.

As for England himself, he stayed true to his humble nature, speaking only briefly during the tribute to acknowledge others. England thanked the historical society, as well as the guests in attendance, before recognizing his military buddies and all those who currently have loved ones serving in the armed forces.