Gilmer High School head football coach presents the number 27 football jersey to Rick and Lucy Harris, parents of 1st Lt. Noah Harris. Also involved in the ceremony were Harris’ girlfriend Ashley Case, and Harris’ sister Kym Munier.

Harris honored during first home game, jersey retired

by John W. Peeler
jpeeler@timescourier.com

Gilmer High School paid tribute to the fallen former GHS standout 1st Lt. Noah Harris, by retiring his number 27 football jersey during a pregame ceremony, Aug. 26, at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium.

Head football coach Rob Stowe presented the jersey to the parents of Harris, Rick and Lucy Harris, both of Ellijay.

1st Lt. Harris was killed in action, June 18, while on a mission, and died when the Humvee he was riding came under attack by rocket-propelled grenades. 1st Lt. Harris was awarded the purple heart for injuries resulting in his death.

An accomplished athlete at Gilmer High School, Harris served as captain of the GHS Bobcat football team, won the Golden Helmet Award during his senior year, and was high school state wrestling champion in 1999 after being the state runner-up in 1998. He was a Georgia state scholar athlete of the year 1999, and a 1999 Honor Graduate at GHS. Harris was also known for his participation in drama while at GHS, and many other honors. While a student at the University of Georgia, Harris was also the captain of the University of Georgia cheerleading squad.

In addition to retiring his jersey, the Gilmer Touchdown Club sold t-shirts honoring Harris, with the proceeds from the sales going to the Noah Harris Memorial Fund. The t-shirts were printed by Team Sales of North Georgia, Inc. in Jasper GA.

The shirt, with a picture of Harris in his football uniform, and one of him in his desert Battle Dress Uniform on the front with the words “From a Gilmer Bobcat...To An American Hero, In Loving Memory of 1st Lt. Noah Harris, KIA 06-18-05,” on the front, and his name and number 27 on the reverse side, sold during the game.