Savannah, Ga., July 12, 2013 - The Georgia Historical Society will present the Thomaston-Upson Archives with the Roger K. Warlick Local History Achievement Award for Archivist Claude Burgess' project "Finding the Greatest Generation Across the Oceans."

"We commend Claude and the members of the Thomaston-Upson Archives for their efforts to find Upson County soldiers who lost their lives abroad during World War II and were laid to rest in foreign lands," said W. Todd Groce, President and C.E.O of the Georgia Historical Society. "Because of their efforts, caretakers and archivists at eleven cemeteries, in seven countries, have requested information and will be working with the Thomaston-Upton Archives to tell the stories of thirty-four Upson County men buried in their soil."

The Warlick awards, named in honor of former Georgia Historical Society President Roger K. Warlick, are given each year by the Georgia Historical Society and serve to honor those affiliate chapters who demonstrate, through their efforts, original projects or ideas that utilize historical resources in new and interesting ways and make local history relevant and meaningful to the community, allowing audiences to make the important connections between the past and the present.

"It is as if the heavens opened and down poured this honor, so grand, which found its way to me," said Claude Burgess, Assistant Archivist at the Thomaston-Upton Archives. "My words so weak, yet this honor so great; futility results in my effort to sufficiently convey my gratitude and joy.  This is sincerely an honor of a lifetime of which I hope brings forth not my work but rather the sacrifice of those who in brave glory fell defeating tyranny so impious; as well as those of another land who watch so compassionately over the ground last reserved for their body but not for their soul."

"This project by the Thomaston-Upson Archives demonstrates not only collaboration with cemeteries around the world, but will also serve as a template for other archives and historical organizations that want to create similar programs," added Groce.

The Thomaston-Upson Archives' mission is to preserve, manage and maximize access to recorded local history. The reception and ceremony will be held on Tuesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Thomaston-Archives, 301 South Center Street in Thomaston.

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