Five more all-star businessmen and community leaders – Mark Culver, David “Mit” Kirkland, Dr. Press Thornton, Jr., Samuel Mason Torrence and Hugh Wheelless, Jr., – joined the group Tuesday as the 2022 class was officially inducted and celebrated in front of a large crowd during a banquet ceremony.
“And what have I done?” Culver said. “I’ve done what you’ve elected me to do. I get up every morning doing the job you’ve asked me to do. And isn’t that what all the politicians should do? Isn’t that what all the elected officials should do? “It’s indeed an honor to stand here before you and to be recognized alongside such distinguished honorees, present and past,” Kirkland said.
One of his sons, King Thornton, made the acceptance speech on stage. In a touching moment as he was given a medal to hang around his neck like the other inductees, King called up his son and asked him to take it to his mother in the audience, Evelyn, who was married to Dr. Thornton for 61 years. “Sam was very involved in the community here in Dothan,” Shaw said. “He was at the Chamber of Commerce when some of the greatest growth that took place .