Search and Rescue Team Member Bryan Anderson, who was one of the divers who searched for the bodies of Vinson and 11-year-old Joshua Perry, awarded the medal to Vinson’s family during the funeral service for Vinson.
“We, the Albany-Dougherty Rescue Team, have determined that Gary Dewayne Vinson, Jr. has met the requirements to be awarded the Medal of Valor by the Albany-Dougherty Rescue Team,” Anderson said.
The several hundred people at the funeral service gave Vinson and his family a resounding standing ovation after Anderson announced the award.
Mayor Willie Adams issued a mayoral proclamation that was read at the funeral, recognizing the “heroic efforts” of Vinson.
“Mayor Adams said that D.J. was not allowed to reach his full adult potential,” Anderson told the mourners after Adams’ proclamation was read. “I can’t say I agree with that because I believe God put D.J. on Earth to save that young boy he saved on Sunday afternoon.”
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop’s spokesman, Kenneth Cutts, read a letter to the family that was written by Bishop.
“His remarkable heroism will never be forgotten,” Bishop wrote. “Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
“What matters in this life and what we will all be judged by is what we have done in this life in terms of service to humanity,” Cutts said.
Hall & Hall Funeral Home Director Joseph Jones said about 400 people attended the service for Vinson, many of whom did not know him personally. During the service, John 15:13 was frequently quoted: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.”
Several friends of Vinson’s also spoke during the service, telling their favorite memories and talking about their lost friend.
“I know you have a special place in heaven where heroes live,” one friend said.
Vinson, a Sylvester resident, was fishing on the Flint River Sunday. Two boys — Joshua Perry, 11, and his brother Matthew, 10 — had been playing in the water fountain near the Flint RiverQuarium when their curiosity led them to the river’s dangerous waters.
Their father had been watching their sister at the nearby play park, but had warned the two to stay at the play fountain. It was just as he noticed the boys had not heeded his instruction that Krystal Reaves ran up from the river, yelling that two boys were in trouble in the river.
Her husband, Jonathan Reaves, who had been snorkeling in the river and was told to grab the boys as they were being towed by the current. Reaves had Joshua on his back and Matthew on his arm.
But the panicked Joshua fell from Reaves’ back and into the water, clutching at Reaves’ snorkeling mask as he fell.
Vinson, who had linked hands with friends to help Reaves and the boys ashore, jumped into the river in an attempt to save Perry. He and the youngster drowned.
Perry and Vinson died of accidental drowning, County Coroner Emma Quimbley later said. Perry’s body was found Sunday evening and Vinson’s was found Monday morning.
Perry’s uncle, Moultrie Police Chief Frank Lang, thanked Vinson’s family for his efforts.
“Had it not been for him, I would have lost both nephews,” he said.
Funeral attendee Jimmy Rush said he didn’t know Vinson personally, but it was Vinson’s display of Christ-like love that drew him to show his respects.
“It’s just touching. That love just doesn’t have any boundaries,” he said. “By him not even thinking about it, it just drove him out there, just like Jesus told us to do.”