“I moved to Historic Brookhaven in 1996 when I married my late husband Patrick. We raised our two boys in a house on Club Drive. Harrison was born in 1997, and Ian in 2000. They loved being able to walk up to Capital City Club and being within close proximity to their many friends from Sarah Smith Elementary School, Westminster (Harrison), and Holy Innocents’ (Ian).

 

“After losing Patrick to cancer in 2021, I was fortunate to be able to stay in the neighborhood and move literally just around the corner to The Bellaire townhomes.

 

“The neighborhood has evolved and changed so much since 1996. Reading Stroll Historic Brookhaven has introduced me to so many new neighbors I would otherwise know nothing about. It’s fascinating to see all the young families raising their children in this wonderful enclave we call home, and it brings back so many happy memories! I love reading about their different family traditions, background, and interests. Each family has a unique story to tell!”

 

-Diane Jones

SIDEBAR TO WHY I READ

HEAD = Welcome Home Harrison!

 

Harrison Jones, a Navy pilot and son of Bellaire Lane resident Diane Jones, recently returned home from 326 days at sea on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. In May, the ship completed the longest deployment of any warship since the Vietnam War.  

 

The USS Gerald Ford left Norfolk, VA, in June 2025, only four months after Harrison married Emma Laura Gash. While first sent to the Mediterranean for routine training, the ship redeployed to the Caribbean for Operation Absolute Resolve (which removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro) last October. Then earlier this year it was sent to the Mediterranean and Red Sea, where it launched jet strikes against Iran. During its last deployment, the ship endured a major fire. No sailors were hurt, and all were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation upon return to the United States.

 

Stroll Historic Brookhaven thanks Harrison for his service! Diane is happy to have him stateside and threw a welcome-home bash with all Harrison’s Atlanta friends.