Honor, Glory & Pride

Honor, Glory & Pride Re me All mb gav eri e s ng t om ho e. S se w om ho e g se ave rve all d. .

Wednesday, June 29, 2022 A Supplement of the Elizabethton Star

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Veterans Walk of Honor

Photo by/Vance Johnson

It’s a wall of pride and honor

BY ROZELLA HARDIN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com

“See your name, Papaw? It’s right up there,” the young boy said to the elderly man as they paused to look at a brick in the Carter County Veterans Wall of Honor.

The man and his grandson were among a half-dozen or so persons checking out the names on the wall at the recent Memorial Day ceremony in downtown Elizabethton.

Close by was a lady who pointed to several names on the serpentine walls — perhaps a friend, a neighbor, or relative, or it could have been just someone she and the gentlemen with her knew. Regardless, it was a walk of pride for the visitors to the wall.

Probably no greater honor could come to the “Papaw” than to have his grandson point out his brick on the Elizabethton Wall of Honor. The grandfather’s name was inscribed on a granite plaque and placed on a wall with the names of hundreds of other veterans, who either live or have lived in Carter County. The wall honors both the living and dead, and those who served in all branches of the military.

The young boy’s papaw is just one of many veterans whose names are listed on the wall.

There are a lot of memories that a name evokes, and it’s kind of neat to stand back and watch as visitors to the wall hunt the brick with their name on it.

Across the street at the War Memorial, several persons were milling in front of the large granite stones that have the names of Carter County’s war dead inscribed on them.

Some with their fingers traced a name etched on the monument. They then walked away as quietly as they came.

Some who visit the War Memorial shed tears as they pause and read the names of the war dead. Among the names are fallen soldiers and sailors from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom. Some are buried on foreign soil, some at sea, and some — only God knows where they are buried.

But the day the young boy and his papaw eyed the elderly man’s brick in the Wall of Honor, they both smiled. He was one of those who came home.

There is something special and lasting

about seeing a name on the brick wall. It’s because the contributions of the men and women whose names are inscribed on the wall are special and lasting.

There are more than 5,000 names on the Wall of Honor — some you will recognize, others you will not.

They include the names of fathers and sons, husbands, brothers, sisters, cousins and neighbors. In one row on the wall are the names of my deceased brother, Raymond, and his three sons, Timothy, Michael and Robin, all who served in the military. In another row are the names of the Fenner brothers — Samuel Clyde, David, James, Paul, Harold Gene, Robert D. and William G., and a sister, Virginia G. David, the youngest, was a physician in Elizabethton for many years. Among the eight children, they served in all four branches of the military — Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Another set of brothers on the wall includes Douglas, Porter, Lloyd K., Robin and Roger Forbes.

Also among the names are those of former Judge Arden Hill and his first wife, Voretta Hill. He served in the Air Force, and she in the Navy.

The list goes on and on.

You are sure to know many of the names on the wall. Many are World War II veterans, others served in Korea and Vietnam, and many others served during peacetime. Some were wounded in battle and have carried their battle scars for a lifetime. Others were prisoners of war and took pride in sharing their stories with school children.

There are a lot of memories hiding behind the names on the Wall of Honor.

There’s a story behind every name engraved on the bricks — some of those stories we will never know.

A stroll along the Wall of Honor is like a stroll through time. There are even a few names of Civil War soldiers on the wall, as well as a few from the Revolutionary War. It doesn’t really matter the war or the branch of service. What really matters is that the names of the men and women inscribed on the wall have helped preserve America’s freedom. All Americans are indebted to them.

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Names of men and women inscribed on the wall that have helped preserve America’s freedom.

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Time does not erase memories of war and lives lost

BY ROZELLA HARDIN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com

There are some that things that time cannot erase — the memories of war and lives lost on the battlefield.

On an given day, there are visitors to the War Memorial in downtown Elizabethton.

Sometimes, they quietly walk along the Wall of Honor, searching for names. Across the street at the War Memorial where large granite black stones contain the names of those from Carter County, who gave their lives during America’s war, there are visitors almost on a daily basis.

Sometimes, they sit quietly on a bench nearby. Other times, they rub their hand across the marker and a name and then quietly walk away. Some memories linger, they just cannot be erased by time.

My family is fortunate in that it has no names inscribed on those memorial markers. Across the street, my four brothers’ names are etched on memorial bricks, denoting their military service. Three nephews have also served their country in the military.

I took time out recently to visit the Memorial and to read the names on those memorial markers. On the Vietnam marker were the names of a few friends from high school — Michael P. Oliver and Robert Shaffer. On other markers were names of people that I had written stories about for special Memorial Day and Veterans Day editions of the STAR from the past as well as “On the Wall” features of the past.

One of those stories was about Lt. John P. Keys, who was killed in World War II. He was the pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress. He and seven other members of his ninemember crew were killed in action after the aircraft was shot down during a bombing mission over occupied France near a small village called Perigny on August 8, 1944. That was three years before I was born.

Keys was 26 years old at the time of his death and has a memorial marker at Happy Valley Memorial Park.

Recently, an old friend, Ida Hinkle of Hampton, came by the STAR and left a bag which contained a half dozen old Spinnerettes (a small magazine printed monthly by the rayon plants from the late 1930s to the early 1950s). Inside one of the Spinnerettes was a story about Lt. John P. Keys and his crew. It was a radio broadcast describing a mission prior to his fateful 27th mission, when he crashed near Caen, France.

The story titled “An American Hero” is printed in its entirety. It was originally published in a Chicago paper.

–––––– “The pilot cocked his head and listened to the engines of his Flying Fortress

First Lt. John P. Keys and his 1944 bomber crew. All were killed except one. Keys is pictured on the far left.

1st Lt. John P. Keys

— the YEHUDI. German Focke-Wulf 180’s had knocked out two of his three engines and had scored hits on the third one — there was no doubt about that.

“The crippled Fortress was flying home from her successful raid on an aircraft plant at Leipzig. The Yanks had dropped their bombs square on their targets and started back to their English base when the Focke-Wulfs swarmed down on them and poured lead into the Fortress.

The pilot, Lt. John P. Keys of Elizabethton, Tenn., glanced at his instrument panel. The giant plane was losing altitude fast — zooming down at a dangerous speed.

“Throw out everything that can’t shoot,” he ordered his crew. The men gave up their thick flack suits, ripped out seats and discarded them, and tossed out guns and heavy armor plates.

But still the YEHUDI kept sinking — she fell from 23 thousand feet to 14 thousand. The radio operator, Sgt. Frank Thomas of Rutland, Vermont, crawled out of his trousers and shirt and tossed them overboard. As they floated out the window, he drawled, “My pants and my all I give to my country.”

“Staff Sergeant Joseph Constanza of New York got his feet caught in the ship’s slipstream while hurling out a few stray bolts and nuts.

Other crew members rushed to him and pulled him back in the plane just as suction almost dragged him out.

“Keys looked up and saw the Focke-Wulfs in the sky above him. Each minute he thought they would attack again. Meanwhile, the Fortress continued her downward dive, dropping to nine thousand feet. Lt. Keys worked over engines No. 2 and No. 3, but the only motor giving him any pull was No. 1. Keys was sure they were going to have to jump.

He was so sure that he laced his shoes up tightly. But he wasn’t going to desert the Fortress until it was absolutely necessary.

“We’ll ride our luck and see what happens,” Lt. Keys told his men. Then he added, “If you have anything else to throw out — throw it.”

“Cries of ‘Throw out the navigation,’ humorously followed that suggestion.

However, the navigator, who weighed 200 pounds, objected strongly, pointing out that he had a leave coming up the next day. Probably it was the guns that were tossed overboard, but it might have been the radio operator’s pants. At any rate YEHUDI leveled off shortly below nine thousand feet.

Then the crippled Fortress ran into help — a flight of United States Thunderbolt Fighters. “’Look at those beautiful sons of guns,” Keys shouted to his men.

“They looked and they grinned, and they used a few strong words. With the Thunderbolts as an escort,

Did you know?

July 4th is a day when Americans celebrate their independence, but it’s also a day to commemorate two men who played vital roles in procuring that independence. Both John Adams, the second President of the United States, and his successor Thomas Jefferson passed away on July 4, 1826. The two men had an interesting relationship that became increasingly complex as the nation they helped to found developed. According to History.com, Adams and Jefferson were confidantes in the 1780s.

But as time wore on, each man developed a different view of

YEHUDI limped along on her one good engine. And Keys brought her home safe.”

It was not long after that mission that Keys and his crew, except for one man, died in a mission over France.

Much like this mission, which occurred in June 1944, Keys and seven members of his nine-member crew two months later were killed in action after their aircraft was shot down during a bombing mission over occupied France.

Lt. Keys was the holder of the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

He enlisted in the Army on December 26, 1941, and received his training at the following fields: Moody Field, Valdosta, Ga.; Hendrix Field, Sebring, Fla.; Bainbridge, Ga.; Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Ala.; Carlstrom Field, Arcadia, Fla.; Dyersburg; and Kearney Field, Nebraska.

On Aug. 30, 1943, he received his wings as a pilot with the rank of Second Lieutenant. He picked his crew at Salt Lake City, Utah in October 1943. From there he went to Dyersburg, then to Kearney Field, Neb., and on April 2, 1944, he flew to England. In June 1944 he received his rank as First Lieutenant. He was on his 27th mission when he failed to return to his base.

Keys was working in the engineering department at American Bemberg when he entered the military.

–––––– War often seems so far physically from us, but regardless of how far we are from the battles, they still affect someone around us. The most recent was COVID-19, which has claimed over one million Americans.

There are still heroes. The heroes of today are nurses, doctors, and EMTs who were on the healthcare frontlines.

Many of them, too, died of COVID. We never have to look far to find a battle, and when we find the battle, we find heroes. They live among us every day. Just like the people who visit the the War Memorial in downtown Elizabethton and read the names etched on the brick. Apparently, they, too, sacrificed in the past to war.

what the United States government should be, creating a rift in their relationship that was only widened by the 1800 presidential election. The men ran against each other in that election, which is still considered one of the more contentious elections in American history. Jefferson ultimately claimed victory, a result so unnerving to Adams that he left Washington, D.C. prior to Jefferson’s inauguration. The two men would ultimately reconcile, exchanging more than 150 letters before dying within hours of one another on Independence Day in 1826.

Honor them by remembering...

FREEDOM - is their gift to us

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All gave some, some gave all…several local men killed in World War II service

BY ROZELLA HARDIN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com

TA X S E R V I C E

World War II touched every part of the world, even Carter County.

Among the names listed on the World War II marker at Elizabethton’s War Memorial Park is that of Sgt. Alvin L. Pierce. The 25-year-old was killed in action in North Africa on May 9, 1943.

He had been awarded the Silver Star for heroism.

Sgt. Pierce, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Pierce of Elizabethton, had joined the service Feb. 12, 1940, and received his training at Ft. Devens, Mass.

He was a member of the National Guard before enlisting in service.

Following his death, his parents received a letter from Staff Sgt. W.M. Sims, a friend of their son. The two had met in Florida while in training and had become bosom pals. His letter told about Alvin’s death.

In part, it read: Around May 10, Al was hit by matching-un pellets, and died on his way to the ambulance.

“On his fatal mission we were in another sector, and my information is by way of his outfit. Al volunteered to assist his captain in trying to clear out a fortified German position which was at the time surrounded and isolated.

This position was on a high mountain surrounded by flat country and a lake.

“He is buried near Mateur, very close to the place where he met the supreme test.

————— Many of the young men from Carter County who died during World War II were initially listed as missing in action. Among them was Jimmy Peoples, who met death on a life raft.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Lon Peoples, Jimmy’s family was notified in June 1943 of his death. James Edward Peoples was initially reported missing in action as a result of not returning from an airplane flight while in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The family later learned that their son had died from

Cpl. Paul Shultz

exposure on a life raft.

Jimmy, who would have been 20 on July 30, 1943, was on duty on a ship stationed in the Atlantic area. He had been in service two years, volunteering June 29, 1941, and was sent overseas in August 1942.

————— Another name on the World War II monument is that of S. Sgt. Robert H. Hilton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hilton. Sgt. Hilton was reported missing in action May 14, 1943, and in September 1943, was declared killed in action over Belgium while on a bombing mission.

Sgt. Hilton, 20, was an employee of American Bemberg Corp. prior to volunteering for the Air Corps. He entered service July 12, 1942, and took his basic training at Keesler Field, Miss.

Hilton was graduated from aerial gunnery school and received his wings at Fullman, Wash., on Nov. 15, 1942.

He was assigned to a bombardment squadron as an aerial gunner on a Flying Fortress and was sent overseas in April 1943.

Sgt. Hilton was one of many brave soldiers in his family. In World War I, his father, and three uncles, Lon, Bernie, and Bob, served with honor in Co. G, 117th Infantry, 30th Division in France, all of whom returned home safely.

—————

Cpl. Paul Shultz was killed near Lenz, Austria on March 2, 1945.

He was a flight engineer on a bomber when his crew was forced down.

Cpl. Shultz went into service July 1, 1943. He had his training at Miami, Fla., Keesler Field, Miss., San Diego, Calif., Charleston, S.C., and Mitchell Field, N.Y., before going to Italy in December 1944.

He, a sister, Sgt. Mary Shultz, and three brothers, Sgt. Ernest X., S/Sgt. Earl, and Cpl. Clarence Shultz, served in World War II. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shultz.

————— Lloyd H. Morrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Morrell, lost his life while he trained for combat overseas during World War II. He died April 3, 1943, when his plane crashed near Macon, Ga. Morrell was 20 years old at the time of his death. He volunteered for service in the Air Corps in July 1940 and had studied and trained in the various branches of aviation until a few months before his death. Union graduation, he stood fourth in a class of 220 young men.

————— PFC Walter Shields was killed in action in Luxembourgh in January 1945.

Pvt. Bill Whitson was killed in action near St. Lo, France on July 14, 1944.

William E. Denny was killed in action in January 1945.

S/Sgt. Ira J. Hardin was killed in an accident in Guam, served in the Marshalls and Gilbert Islands.

Harry Nave had been company clerk for Co. A. 117th Infantry. He had transferred out of aviation cadet and was killed in his training program at Roswell, N.M., in March 1943. He was the first to die from the company of local men.

(All had served with Co. A, 117th Infantry (Elizabethton National Guard) ————— All total, 155 Carter Countians were killed in World War II.

Getting to know the Declaration of Independence METRO ­— The Declaration of Independence is a formal document that served as the signatory colonies’ statement that they were now “free and independent States.” It is a vital document in American history.

On July 1, 1776, delegates from the original 13 colonies, making up the Second Continental Congress, met in Philadelphia to vote on Richard Henry Lee’s motion for independence. After some deliberation, ultimately 12 of the 13 delegates voted in favor. In recognition of those 12 delegates, here are 12 facts regarding the Declaration of Independence.

1. The drafted document was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, two days after freedom from Britain was approved. However, most delegates signed the document on August 2, 1776, while others signed on a later date.

John Dickinson and Robert R. Livingston never signed the Declaration of Independence.

2. John Dunlap was the official printer of Congress at the time. He worked all night and into the morning of July 5 to produce the large, single-sided sheet, known as

Metro Photo

a broadside. About 200 copies of Dunlap’s broadside were made.

3. The University of Virginia owns two copies of a rare early printing of the Declaration. It is on display in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. It is believed the copy once belonged to George Washington.

4. Benjamin Franklin, George Read, Roger Sherman, Robert Morris, George Clymer, and James Wilson signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

5. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were hidden at Fort Knox during World War II, two weeks after Pearl Harbor was attacked.

6. Despite what the movie “National Treasure” will have one believe, the message on the back of the document is visible and reads “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.”

7. Richard Stockton, a lawyer from New Jersey, was

a signer of the Declaration who later recanted his support of the American revolution.

He subsequently swore his allegiance to King George III after being captured by the British.

8. In 1989, an original Dunlap Broadside was found hidden behind a picture a Philadelphia man bought at a flea market for $4. It later sold for $8.1 million.

Ultimately, 26 copies of the original prints have been found.

9. The United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th, even though independence was accepted on July 2nd.

10. Early on, not everyone in America was supportive of the Declaration of Independence. Partisan politics led to discord. Federalist John Adams was feuding with Republicans and Thomas Jefferson. The anniversary date of the signing was not widely celebrated until the Federalists were no longer involved in politics.

11. The one-year anni-

versary of Independence Day and the celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence slipped the minds of Congress in 1777.

When they remembered it was July 3rd, they planned a last-minute celebration on July 4th, and each year thereafter.

12. John Trumbull’s painting “Declaration of Independence,” which was made into a lithograph replica by Ralph Trembly, hangs in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. It is a fictional depiction of the five-man drafting committee presenting their draft to Congress, and not the signing. The painting shows 42 of the 56 signees, since Trumbull couldn’t get likenesses of all involved. The men featured in the painting were never all in the room at the same time during the Declaration’s debate and signing.

The Declaration of Independence is a key document in American history, and its words are celebrated each Independence Day.

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Notable events that have taken place on July Fourth METRO — Residents of the United States spend July 4th celebrating the country’s independence. Though July 4 has served as America’s Independence Day for centuries, many other significant and memorable events have taken place on the fourth day of July.

• 1744: The Treaty of Lancaster is signed in Pennsylvania. The treaty dictates that the Iroquois will cede land between the Allegheny Mountains and the Ohio River to the British colonies.

• 1776: The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress. July 4 actually marks the day the final wording of the declaration, which had been submitted on July 2, was approved.

• 1802: The United States Military Academy officially commences operations. Located in West Point, New York, the USMA is the oldest of the five American service academies.

• 1826: On the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Independence, the second and third presidents of the United States, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, respectively, pass away. Both men were instrumental to American success during the American Revolution.

• 1831: Samuel Francis Smith’s “America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee)” is performed in public for the first time. The performance took place during a children’s Independence Day celebration in Boston.

• 1845: Naturalist and essayist Henry David Thoreau

moves into a cabin on Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. His experiences there would later be detailed in “Walden Pond.”

• 1913: President Woodrow Wilson addresses veterans of the American Civil War at a reunion marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

More than 50,000 veterans of the war, including roughly 9,000 Confederate veterans, attend the reunion.

• 1939: New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig announces his retirement to a crowd at Yankee Stadium, informing them he feels he is “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Gehrig had recently been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease that would later be widely referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”

• 1983: Twenty-four-year old New York Yankees lefthander Dave Righetti throws a no-hitter against the rival Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Righetti struck seven of the first nine batters he faced and even overcame a delay in the eighth inning when umpire Steve Palermo suffered a knee injury. Outspoken Yankees owner George Steinbrenner did not attend the game, as he was in Florida celebrating his 53rd birthday with family.

• 2004: The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower is laid on the World Trade Center site in New York City. Now known as One World Trade Center, the building formally opened in November 2014.

Why isn’t July 2 the day to celebrate American independence?

The Declaration of Independence and July Fourth are indelibly linked. But you may need to be an American history buff to know that the link is less direct than it may seem. The Continental Congress declared American independence on July 2, even though the final wording of the Declaration of Independence

had yet to be approved. That approval came two days later, which is why American independence is celebrated on July 4. Furthermore, the Declaration of Independence now on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., was not signed on July 4. The signatures on that document, which have been a

source of pride for descendants of the signers for centuries, were written on August 2, a full month after the Congress declared its independence from Great Britain. And in a reflection of life in the 18th century, Great Britain did not even receive the declaration until November of 1776.

America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful Land of the Free But who made that possible For you and for me The boy next door The friend down the road My what Bravery These young men showed As they left behind Their families so dear I wonder if their hearts Were filled with fear The fear of not knowing The enemy they’d face Or Prayers to the Father For His Saving Grace Each Life has its Story All by itself But some are forgotten Like a Book on a Shelf Let us not take for granted

Just what they all gave As we walk slowly by That Quiet, Lonely Grave

Those homes are now silent That once held great noise From the visits and laughter Of those dear precious boys Hearts are now broken Lonely and sad Stripped of the Dreams Of their son or their dad Those paths won’t be walked By those tired worn feet Nor will we be greeted By their warm smiles so sweet These are all memories Too many to measure We’ll hold oh so tightly Oh my, what a Treasure If for some reason You fail to see

The sacrifice they made For you and for me Look in the face Of that Mother so sad Whose son gave his Life And all that he had

Look at the wife Who now walks alone Or the child who wonders Will my dad come home We need to be thankful For these unselfish souls Stand up for our Country And the Freedoms she holds They gave their Lives So the least we can do Is Continue to Fight For the Red, White and Blue Nancy Diane Berry…….July 4, 2006

Fourth of July party tips METRO — More than 332 million people live in the United States, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. There’s a good chance that, come July 4th, a considerable number of those individuals will be hosting or attending parties to celebrate American independence.

This year those planning on a July 4th fête can consider these tips as they prepare to celebrate with family and friends.

• Borrow a second grill. Those tasked with grilling often find themselves standing there for hours over hot flames. Cut down on time at the grill by adding an extra cooking surface.

That’s easily achieved by having more than one grill going simultaneously. Cook fast-cooking items like hamburgers and hot dog on one grill, and reserve the other for sausages and chicken, which may need more time to reach safe levels of doneness.

• Stop peeking. Resist any urge to check the food too often.

Every time you flip, press or move the meats, you compromise flavor and could make the food dry out.

• Lure insects away. Bees are attracted to sweet smells, but wasps and hornets are drawn to meats. Put a saucer of very sweet soda and some chicken scraps in a far corner of your yard to attract yellow jackets and other stinging insects to that area, drawing their attention away from guests and their meals.

• Hire a lifeguard. If your party will involve time spent in a pool, consider hiring a lifeguard or designate someone to

observe pool activities. Party hosts may be distracted by other duties, and one can’t count on guests to watch what is going on in the pool. For safety’s sake, a dedicated set of eyes on swimmers can prevent injuries and accidents.

• Give neighbors a heads-up. Parties and barbecues on July 4th are largely expected, but you can offer a courtesy to neighbors by informing them of your plans, including the start time and proposed ending time. If you are close with neighbors, consider inviting them to participate.

• Skip the fireworks. Even if fireworks are permitted where you live, it’s best to avoid the potential safety hazards and leave fireworks displays to the professionals. Shooting off fireworks in neighborhoods causes debris to rain down on guests or land in pools, and it may even be ingested by pets or wildlife. Even sparklers can be dangerous, as they burn at 2,000 F. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says sparklers account for around 60 percent of injuries among children under five during summer festivities.

• Create a patriotic playlist. Use your favorite music streaming service to curate a music list that features America-specific songs, songs about summer and general party tunes. Be sure the music is in the background and does not overpower the conversation.

July 4th plans are heating up. When hosting a party or barbecue, keep it simple and safe.

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This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.

- Elmer Davis

Hubert Shepherd Army 1943-1944

Daddy you are loved and missed every day. You were one of the best. You served us well. Thank You. Glenda Collins

Elbert Ford Price Jr.

Howard Hardin

Army 1966-1967

Army 1943-1945

Your family loves and misses you every day “Jake”. You are one of our heroes.

You gave all you had.

7th Infantry Third Division, Purple Heart, WIA Colmar France, Anzio, Italy Oak Leaf Cluster

Glenda Collins

Jerry Owens

Specialist 5th Class Claude Harold Timbs Army 1964-1967

Thank you for serving our great country. You are a special brother and uncle.

We love you.

Army - Served 2 Years

Chad Ellis

U.S. Marines 1964-1968 Achieved rank of Sergeant E5 and served two tours in Vietnam.Thank you for your service to our country.

In Memory of Eugene Davis

Larry Stout (Unaka High Graduate)

Army- Served 2 Years

Air Force - Served 4 Years

God bless you for serving on Pork Chop Hill laying in snow for days for our freedom. We will never forget and love you.

Thank you for the many parachutes sewed, airplanes upholsted and safety for our boys using them.

Jack Garrison

Army - Served 9 Years

Thank you for serving our country. You are what keeps America Free. Thanks for being my dad.

We are so proud of your service. We love and miss you so much.

Love, Amanda

Danny, Jackie, David and Family

Louis Vaughn “Von” Taylor Air Force - 1954-1958 Forever our Hero.

Forver in our Hearts!

Thelma, Suzanne, Lisa, Eddie, Logan, Pat & Lauryn Grace

J.N. Taylor

Army - Served 4 Years We are so proud of your service. We love and miss you so much.

Cissy, Willie, Diane, Danny, Jena, Jeff, Mark, Tammy and Daniel

Fletcher C. Gouge Jr.

U.S. Navy - Served 21 Years My brother and I are very proud of our father, retired Navy Chief Petty Officer. He served honorable for this great country of ours.

Carmon Frank Simerly

Marine - Served 2 Years 8 Years Guard Thank you so much for your time serving our country.

We love and miss you.

Lucille, Kim, Joyce, Joe-Anna and Coo

Stanley A. Bowers U.S. Army - Vietnam - 2 years

Thank you so much for the faithful service and love you so freely gave for our country.

A Purple Heart recipient. Your smile, your kindness will never be forgotten.

Love you more everyday.

Herman Peters

Chief Master Sergeant Freddie A. Bradshaw

U.S. Army - 1942-1945

Thank you for your 30 years of honorable service to our country. We love you.

Thank you for always showing us your love to God, family & America. We miss your words of wisdom & encouragement. We love you & miss you everyday.

U.S. Air Force - 30 Years

Dee, Meshell, Bryan, Emily and Wyatt

Beulah, Della, Ella & Lynn

Michael S. (Steve) McNeil

Army - 1970-1972 National Guards 1972-1974

Wanda Ruth Bowers (wife)

LTC Steven Crowe Army - 21 Years

Larry William Tipton

U.S. Navy Coral Sea - 4 Years Thank you for serving our country. Your loyalty is a blessing to me.

You are my Hero. I love you.

Your wife, Wilma

Dean Lunceford

Ray Combs

U.S. Army - 25 Years Thank you for your 25 years of honorable service to our country. We love you.

Bud, Jason, Kimmy, Skyler, Jerelene and the members and friends of Fish Springs Baptist Church

World War I

Carl Wallace

Served in Vietnam Thank you for our freedom.

Love Diane & Family

Thank you for our freedom.

Love Diane & Family

SSG Richard Markland (Retired) U.S. Army National Guard Served 23 Years

Thank you for your service.

We are very proud of you.

Love, Your Family

Thank you son for serving our country for our freedom.

You are very special to us.

Our Hero. We love you.

Mama & Larry