WAKE UP AMERICA!!!
"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt - 1907
Harry Truman--On His Choice of Careers
Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference."
THERE'S A POLE THAT STANDS ON
OUR TOWN'S STREET
AND AT ITS TOP YOUR EYES WILL
MEET,
"OLD GLORY" PROUDLY FLYING THERE,
IN DEFIANCE OF THOSE WHO WOULD
IMPAIR
OUR LIBERTY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.
THEY ARE THE CAUSE OF ALL THIS
STRIFE.
THIS FLAG HAS A SPECIAL MEANING
TO ME,
BECAUSE WHEN I GAZE AT IT I
CAN SEE
SEVERAL FACES WHICH ARE ABSENT
TODAY,
BECAUSE THEIR LIVES THEY WERE
WILLING TO LAY
RIGHT ON THE LINE FOR OUR GLORIOUS
LAND.
FOR IT THEY WERE GLAD TO MAKE
A LAST STAND.
HI **GEORGE,
CORKY, DICKIE, BILL, AND MIKE,
AND WHO'S THAT GUY AWAY IN THE
BACK?
WHY SURE, THAT'S GOOD OLD PAPPY,
REMEMBER THE GUY THAT WAS ALWAYS
SO HAPPY?
GO AHEAD FELLOWS, LOOK RIGHT
UP THERE -
SEE 'EM SMILING, AS IF THEY
HADN'T A CARE?
DON'T WORRY FELLOWS, YOU DIDN'T
DIE IN VAIN,
WE'LL CARRY ON 'TIL THE ENEMY
IS SLAIN,
AND WHEN VICTORY COMES
OUR WAY,
WE WON'T FORGET THE ROLE YOU
HAD IN THE PLAY.
AND WHEN TAPS ARE SOUNDED AND
OUR CALL COMES TOO,
WE HOPE YOU WILL BE AS PROUD
OF US, AS WE ARE OF YOU.
(**Dedicated especially for George Heatherly'65, Dickie Reagan '66, Bill Long '67, Corky Huddleston '68 all KIA in Vietnam and Mike Copley '71 killed in Iraq. )
JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy
and his hair was falling fast
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories
of the past.
Of a war that he had fought and the deeds
that he had done,
His exploits with his buddies; they were heroes,
every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors,
his tales became a joke,
His Legion buddies listened, for they knew
whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old
Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier
died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children
and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going
his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though
a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies
lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim
that they were great.
Papers tell their stories, from the time that
they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed
and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare
of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his
fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war
and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up
his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which
he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service
that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up
his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps,
a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was
so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to
battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise
and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country
now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your
enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting
stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn
to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight
until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his
ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need
his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we
find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians
start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's
here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the
ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper
that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier
died today.
NOTE: This is by no means an entire listing
of the LHS Veterans. Former Alumni/family of Alumni responded to
an email request for information on the veterans they knew. In our
hearts, we love and respect all veterans. If you know
of someone who should be on this list, please send me at the least their
name, year of graduation/or would have graduated (if you know it), Branch
of Service, and Years of Service.
Howard
Sturm
US Naval Air Force 1941 - 1961
1940
Melvin
Sturm
United States Navy
Entered service in 1944 as a Navy Ensign. Served in the Pacific with Task Force 38 as Air Plot Officer on Admiral William F. Halsey's Staff. Two Battle Stars. The Flagship was the USS Missouri, BB63, and Ensign Sturm was present at the Japanese Surrender ceremony aboard the Missouri. Mel had wartime service aboard the USS Missouri and the Air Craft Carrier, USS Shangri-La. Also served post-war aboard the Battleship USS South Dakota, Heavy Cruiser USS Quincy, and the Light Cruiser, USS Springfield.
Hugh
Kyle Seals
United States Navy
Second Class Petty Officer--Radar
Man--served in WWII in the Pacific
Hiram
Sturm, MD
United States Navy
Graduated from U.T. medical school 1948. From 1951-1954 (Korean War) served as a Naval flight surgeon, attached to the Marines. During my time at Marine Corp Air Station, Cherry Point, NC, in addition to overseeing the medical needs of two helicopter squadrons and a fighter squadron, I was one of two doctors heading up the obstetrical team (100 to 120 babies monthly).The end of the Korean War in 1945, found me serving as Senior Medical Officer(though only a Lt.) as the flight surgeon for Naval Air Station New York, Brooklyn, NY
1943
Gordon
H. Arnold, MD
US Air Force 1943-1946
Gordon H Arnold, MD was in the class of 1943 and died in 2003 at the age of 77. He served in the US Air Force from 1943-46 as a gunnery instructor and B-24 gunner. After discharge he entered UT in pre med later getting his Doctorate of Medicine from UT Medical School in Memphis. He interned and did a residency in surgery at the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital in Florida. He practiced in Bradenton, Florida until his retirement in 1990.
Dave
Arnold
US Navy
I was in the class of 1945 and entered the Navy just prior to graduation. I trained at the Great Lakes Training Center to then be assigned to the destroyer tender USS Yellowstone AD 27. We cruised some in the Pacific and later in the Atlantic to Newport, RI where I left the ship for discharge in the summer of 1946 and after that I served in the Navy inactive reserve for 5 years. I attended UT under the GI bill and graduated with an Engineering Degree in 1950 later to retire in 2000 as a Vice President of Computer Sciences Corporation. I am still actively doing consulting to industry.
Evan
Sturm
US Navy
Seaman -- Served aboard a Destroyer Escort.
1948
John
Milton Childress
US Air Force
Born June 21, 1930 in LaFollette,
TN. Graduated from LaFollette High School in 1948 and
the University of Tennessee
in 1952. Served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force during
the Korean War. Resident
of Clinton, TN for 45 years. Member of First Baptist Church. Retired
from Martin Marietta Energy Systems on December 31, 1989, after 35
years of company service in computer related work. Avid sports fan.
Active in local youth sports programs during younger years. Underwent
heart-bypass surgery at Vanderbilt Hospital in 1974 when that type of operation
was relatively rare. Underwent bypass surgery again in 1994 and 2001.
Wife of 54 years- Kathryn, formerly
of Brownsville, TN
Son- Milton of Charlotte, NC
Daughter- Susan Corrigan
of New Berlin, WI
Grandchildren- Alex, Gracie,
John, Tyler, Emily and Caroline
Sister- Betty Lou (Childress)
Snow, LHS Class of 1949, Pittsburgh, PA
Bobby
Roger Douglas
US Army
1950
Bill
J. Cox
US Air Force 1947 - 1950
Served in the US Air Force from
1947-1950 at the age of 14. Upon returning to LaFollette, Bill graduated
with the class of 1950.Bill Cox has been the owner of Alco Builders
Realty for 42 years in LaFollette.
Byron
Poe
US Navy Seabees
Harold
D. Parks
US Army April, 1953 - May, 1955
I was Army PFC Harold D. Parks from April 1953 until May, 1955. I attended basic training at what is now Ft. Gordon, GA. I then attended the Signal School at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. where I spent 33 weeks in the Radar Repair Course. I was then sent to the 7773rd Army Unit in Piermesens, Germany where I served the remainder of my enlistment. While there, I worked in a large Signal Depot where we repaired various types of electronic equipment. I also spent 45 days on leave and passes and visited England, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, France and Italy. I met some wonderful people just about everywhere I went. I especially enjoyed working with the German civilians in the depot and trying to ski in the Bavarian Alps. I learned a great deal in my first extended "visit" away from LaFollette. I enjoyed my tour and found my niche in electronics. I graduated from The University of Tennessee in 1959 with a BSEE.
I now live (for the past 34 years) in Fredericksburg,VA with my wife of 46 years, Syble Dalphene Perkins
Parks, LHS Class of 1954. I am retired from
The Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, VA. Dalphene and I now garden
a lot, dance at least once week and I still do some fishing.
1952
Henry
"Pete" Poe
US Navy Seabees
Charles
Wayne Seals
United States Army 1953
- 1956
Marshall
Roy Bailey
US Army
Robert
Chadwell
US Army
Ben
Cooper
US Army
John
Faulkner
US Army
Homer
Foster
US Army
Charles
Fugate
US Army
Wayne
Gibson
US Army
Jack
Higdon
US Army
Jerry
Hunter
US Army
Kyle
Hutson
US Army
Robert
McCulloch
US Army
Willard
Tibbs
US Army
Charles
Wender, MD
US Army
Willie
Wilson
US Marines
Robert
L. Bruce
US Army
Carl
Roberts
US Air Force
After graduating from LaFollette High School, I joined the US Air Force. After basic training, I was sent to technical school in Biloxi, Ms. for 6 months. Upon graduation from the Air Force Security Service School, I was assigned to Bremerhaven, Germany where I spent almost three years in electronic intelligence gathering. At that time, I was honorably discharged from the Air Force in December 1958. I then graduated from the University of Tennessee and continued my civilian life. >
Willie
Fred (P.J.B.) Wilson
US Army
Retired from the US Army after 21 years service having served in Korea and Vietnam. He served in the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers Division. He won several medals including two Bronze Stars, two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Parachutists Badge and Expert Marksman with the Rifle.
1955
Joseph
H. Childress
US Air Force 1961 - 1974
Served as an officer in the Reserve and Regular Air Force from 1961 through 1974. Then served in the Army Reserves and Army National Guard from 1982 through 1990. Retired from the Army of the United States with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1990.
Lowell
Griffith
US Army
Of my total 8 year obligation with the U.S Army, I served 2 years, 2 months and 20 days on active duty. My active duty time was pulled at Fort Jackson South Carolina, Fort Gordon, Georgia and Metz, France. I served 5 years, 2 months and 8 days in the army active reserve and then I was assigned to the inactive reserve for the remainder of my time. The majority of my time was served in the 504th Military Police Battalion which was a combat MP unit in Fort Gordon, Georgia and Metz, France. My active reserve time was mostly spent in the Headquarters Company of the 334th Field Artillery Battalion in La Follette, TN. My highest rank was Sgt. E5.
Ronnie Goins
Earl Lawson
Jerry
Poe
US Marines
Allan
Powell
US Navy
Served in September 1955 thru April of 1958. Attained 3rd class Petty officer--PH3
Glen
Ridenour
US Army 1955 - 1958
I joined the army shortly after graduation in 1955, spent a good portion of that enlistment in Korea, and did not return to LaFollette until 1958. Due to the lack of employment in Campbell County, I re-entered the army in 1960, served in Japan, U.S. Strike Command, in Vietnam, and lastly as an Army Recruiter in Kansas.
After college graduation from TPI in Cookville, served in the US Army from May, 1960 - May, 1962
1956
Don
Bruce
US Marines
Buddy
Scott
US Navy
1957
Lowell
Lester Chadwell
US Air Force 1958 - 1963
Served in the USAF from November 19,1958 until August 17, 1963, as a Chaplain Services Specialist, stationed at Lackland AFB, TX, Chanute AFB at Rantool, Illinois, Osan Air Force Base in South Korea, and with the Headquarters Squadron of the famous "Top Hat" First Fighter Wing at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan where I met my wife of almost 41 years.
Everette
Orick
US Marines
Tony
Willoughby
US Air Force 1957 - 1961
Served in the U. S. Air Force from June 7, 1957, until June 7, 1961. He completed basic training at Lakeland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Medical Laboratory Technician School at Gunner Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Served in Savannah, Georgia, and spent 3 years at 48th TAC Hospital, U. S. Air Force Europe in Mildenhall, England.
James Collinsworth
US Navy 1956 - 1966
Ralph
Anderson
US
Army
Served in the US Army from 1957-1959 as a specialist of the 510 Honest John Rocket Battalion, Vincenes, Italy.
Marion
Faulkner
US Army
Larry
Dean Seals
United States Navy
Ralph
Bratcher
US Navy 1959 - 1988
After high school, I joined the Navy where I spent the next 29 years retiring in 1988 in Charleston, South Carolina as a Senior Chief with 30 years credited service.
During my career in the Navy, I spent 17 years with the Marines with the Fleet Marine Force. I served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam receiving a Purple Heart for wounds received in action in August 1965 and a Bronze Star with the Combat "V" for Heroic Acheivement in October 1965 while serving with the 3rd recon Battalion.
I served in many parts of the world during my career including many small islands such as Nicosia, Cypress(Embassy Duty), Diego Garcia, in the middle of the Indian Ocean and Palau in the Micronesian Islands.
I also took advantage of the Navy's Educational opportunities , receiving a Bachelor Degree in Healthcare Services and a Masters Degree in Healthcare Management. After retiring from the Navy, I accepted a position at the Medical University of South Carolina as Administrator with The Storm Eye Institute. I remained there until 1994, when I accepted my present position, Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer with Pee Dee Cardiology Associates, P.A. in Florence, South Carolina.
I am married to the former Jo Lynn King of Jacksonville, North Carolina, whom I met while stationed with the Marines at Camp LeJune, North Carolina. We have been married for 22 years. I have one son, Ralph E. Bratcher, II who will retire from the Navy this November.
Benny
Goins
US Air Force
I served in the Air Force for
a little over 21 years. I was stationed in several stateside bases and
abroad including Greenland, Spain, France,Portugal & Vietnam in 1968
& 1969.
Buddy
McCreary
US Army
Glen
Miller
US Air Force 1959-1963
Tom
Petitt
US Army 1960 - 1963
Joined the US Army in Jan 1960 for three years. Took my training at Fort Hood Texas. Was in the Infantry. Spent my time in Germany. This was before Vietnam. Got out of Army and went to school and finished at ETSU.
Don
Phillips
US Army Reserves
Served in the U.S. Army Reserves from June 1962 until May 1969. I was a Private in The Combat Engineers and was on active duty during the Cuban Crisis of 1962.
Darryl
Ross
US Air Force
Roger
Sebby
US Army
Served in the US Army. Roger went on to UT to get a degree in Food Technology & Science, and operated S & W Laboratories until his death in 2004. He married Marilyn Peters in 1968. They lived in Powell, TN.
Gordon
McWhorter
US Marine Corp. 1961 - 1966
Larry Hatmaker
US Army October 1959 - October 1962
Served as a Russian linguist attached to US Army Security Agency
Ken Kincaid
Jo Anne
(McCloud) Myers
USAF 1960-63
Lackland AFB Hospital Squadron
Hugh
C. Spradlin
Captain - US Army MSC
1965-1968
My tour in the U.S. Army, Medicinal Service Corp encompassed Jan 1965 to 1968. I took the Medical Officers basic training in Jan '65 for eight weeks at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. My first duty station was also Ft. Sam with a "strike" field unit. I was a platoon leader for nearly one year and was chosen to attend the Medical Supply Course, also at Ft. Sam. After completing this training, rumors came often and frequently about the buildup in Viet Nam. I knew with my new military occupational specialty (MOS) that I could very well be one of the men going over seas. The assignment came in Jun 66 with a transfer to Ft. Bragg to join a unit having orders for that theater of operations. It was a medical clearing company that was just like MASH of TV fame. But for size purposes we had enough beds for 240 patients and could load everything up on trucks and move in about 24 hours.I served in Viet Nam at Tuy Hoa and Chu Li, for those other vets that will read this.
After returning to the states
in September 1967, I was again stationed at Ft. Sam and finished my service
there. I discovered upon returning to civilian status that veterans
were not appreciated and some people acted like it was our fault that we
served our country. Just for the record, I am proud to have served
and appreciated the service of other men and women during that era.
But let us stand with our vets and honor their service to our country.
Henry
L. Carter
US Army 1966 - 1968
U.S. Army August 1966 Thru August
1968. Service Areas: Fort Knox, KY; Fort Carson, CO; Southeast Asia.
Hometown: Kokomo, IN;
Employment: Engineer, DaimlerChrysler Corp.
Paul
Bailey Francis, Jr. MD
US Navy 1969 - 1971
Paul Bailey Francis, Jr., MD,
served in the US Navy Reserve Medical Corps on active duty from July 6,
1969 through June 24, 1971. He received training at the Field Medical Service
School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC, from July 6, 1969 through
July 25, 1969, and was stationed at the Navy Hospital, Naval Air Station,
Pensacola, FL, for the duration of his active duty. He was discharged from
active duty with the rank of Lieutenant Commander and remained on inactive
reserve until honorably discharged in 1991. During his active duty, he
was involved in the treatment of many soldiers who had been evacuated from
Vietnam with various medical illnesses.
Kenneth
Heatherly
US Navy 1961 - 1967
1961 THRU 1967--Service areas: San Diego, CA, Cuba, Atlantic Coast (United States and Europe), Mediterranean Sea Area
Ron
Higdon
Virginia National Guard 1967
- 1972
I served as an officer in the Virginia National Guard. After Officer Candidate School, I became the Commanding Officer at the Rocky Mount, NC unit.
Charles "Yogi" Briggs
US Navy 1961 - 1965
Hospital Corpsman
Frank
Moore
US Air Force 1961 - 1965
Mickey
Nichols
US Marine Corp
Tom
O'Lenick
US Navy May, 1962 - July 1966
After electronics school in Millinton, Tenn and flight crew training in San Diego, CA, I joined Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4) in Naha, Okinawa. VP-4's primary mission was to patrol the coasts
and sealanes off mainland China,
North Korea and later briefly in the Gulf of Tonkin. Our secondary mission was
the detection of Russian submarines. I spent time in Okinawa, Hawaii, Japan,
Taiwan, and the Phillipines with side trips to Guam, Midway, Hong Kong,
Figi, Australia, New Zealand, and American Samoa; but once a year I always
managed to get back to LaFollette to see Granny Gunter.
Jerry
Queener
US Army
Howard
St. John
US Air Force
J. W.
Faulkner
U S Army 1962-1982
Retired Army veteran with 20 yrs service from 1962- 1982. He was a Sgt 1st class and was in Army Aviation. He was the flight engineer, crew chief, door gunner and aircraft inspecter. He was also in Vietnam with the 135th Assualt Helicopter Co. He along with the late Donna Smith ( class of 1962) raised 3 kids while traveling the world. Then again retiring from the Dept of Corrections for the State of TN.
Wayne
Leach
US Army 1963 - 1969
I served in the U. S. Army from
1963 for six months, then the reserve until 1968 when I was called to active
duty and served from June 1968 to March 1969. I was honorably discharged
in March 1969. I live in LaFollette, married JoAnn Evans, have two children
(Michael andMichelle). I retired from BWXT/Y-12/Oak Ridge in 2002 after
32 years
of service.
Mack
Orick
US Army 1967 - 1969 Vietnam
Sammy
G. Willoughby
Roger Conner
US Navy 1966 - 1986
Attended Navy flight training in Pensacola, FL in 1966; completed jet training at NAS Kingsville, TX in 1967 Flew 64 combat strikes against enemy targets in Vietnam from onboard the USS Kitty Hawk in 1969 in the A6 Intruder. Later served as jet flight instructor at NAS Meridian, Ms.; Catapult Officer onboard the USS Lexington in Pensacola, FL; Safety Officer of NAS New Orleans flying the T39 and flew the DC-9 in both Norfolk, VA and Memphis, TN.
Ronald "Gene" Bruce
US Navy 1961 - 1964
Bill W. Hendon, D.D.S.
U.S. Army 1967-1969
Ft. Sam Houston, TX; Ft. Hamilton, NY;
General Douglas MacArthur’s Dental Clinic-Lower Manhattan, N.Y.C.; One year in South Korea along DMZ.
After service: Supervising Dentist Saskatchewan Dental Plan, Supervising Dentist Department of Northern Service, Zone Dental Officer- Northwest British Columbia, Regional Dental Officer Manitoba Region-Department of National Health and Welfare, Canada, Supervising Dentist-National School of Dental Therapy Canada, Associate Professor of Dentistry University of Toronto;
Private Dental Practice in La Follette, TN until retirement in 2007.
James
Boyd Francis, MD
US Air Force 1973 - 1975
Joined the US Air Force Medical Corps in October 1973. He received 2 weeks of orientation at Wichita Falls, TX. He served as a General Medical Officer at a clinic on the K-2 base in Taegu, Korea, from November 1973 until May 1974, when the base was downsized, and he was reassigned to the Air Force base in Kunsan, Korea. In November, 1974, he was assigned to duty at the Air Force base in Minot, North Dakota, where he served on the staff of a regional hospital until October 1975. He was discharged from active duty with the rank of Major.
Dwight
Goodman
US Air Force 1963-1967
Dwight trained as a Russian Linguist
at Syracuse University and while operating out of England, Germany, Italy,
Greece, Turkey, and Iran flew over 200 aerial missions against the former
Soviet Union during the height of the "Cold War". A replica of the reconnaisance aircraft C-130 from his squadron shot down by the Soviets stands at the National Vigilance Park at Fort Meade, Maryland. To see this replica, click on this link http://www.nsa.gov/vigilance/index.cfm
Joe
Green
1964
Louie Chaniott
David
Disney
US Air Force 1965-1969
Aerospace Defense Command, 343rd Fighter Group Security Police Squadron, Duluth Air Force Base Duluth, Minnesota.
Clell
Huff
US Army
Clell was in the Viet Nam War. He went into service in 1966 to 1968. He currently lives in Griffin, Georgia.
Cecil
Eugene Anderson
US Army 1966 - 1969
Served in Vietnam, and was an Army Tank Commander in the National Guard for many years after the war.
William
Anderson
US
Army
Ronnie
Beeler
US Army 1969 - 1971
Marvin
Bolinger
US Army 1969 - 1963
1969--Ft Benning, Georgia--2LT, Infantry officer; 1970--Ft Hood, Texas--1LT--also Republic of Panama for Jungle School; 1970-1971--Republic of Vietnam, CPT--served as an infantry platoon leader and company commander with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam; 1974-1990--Army Reserves--Major thru LTC; 1990-1991--Desert Storm, Fort Campbell, Ky---LTC; 1991-1993--Army Reserves; Retired as Colonel.
Richard
Brown
US Army 1970 - 1971
Served two years as a Military Instructor in the Army's Field Medic Training Program at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas during the Viet Nam conflict 1970-71.
Mike Cassell
John
Goins
US Army 1965 - 1967
Vietnam from October 1966 to October 1967 with the 1st Battalion, 44th Artillery and 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery.
George
Heatherly (KIA)
US Army
SP4-E4 -Army-Regular; 4th Infantry Division; 22 years old; Caucasion Male; Married; Born on Apr 13, 1947; From LAFOLLETTE, TENNESSEE; Length of service 1 year; His tour of duty began on Mar 08, 1969; Casualty was on May 14, 1969 in Pleiku, South Vietnam; Hostile, Ground Casualty Other Explosive Device; Body was recovered.
Steve Hale
US Marine Corp 1965 - 1969; Air National Guard 1970 -1974; Army National Guard 1975 - 1978; US Navy Construction Battalion 1978 - 1993; Retired after 27 years.
Don
Johnson
US Army--864th Engineer Battalion 1966-1968
Don
Kinder
US Army Artillery 1967-1970
Harold
Lovett
United States Marine Corp
Jerry
Leach
United States Marine Corp
Don
Kinder
US Army 1966-1968
Siler
McCarty
US Army 1966 -1968
Verlin
McCulley
US Army Engineers
1966-1987
Denny
Prater
United States Marine Corp
Sept 1965 to Sep 1969
Vietnam May 1966 until July 1967 Chu Lai, Da Nang, DMZ, & Inland areas. Sgt E-5 at release Honorable Discharge
Boyd
Stagnolia
US Army E5 1965 - 1967
Ray
Sweat
US Army 1968 - 1969
H870 Trans Vietnam
Richard
Turney
Lt. US Army 1966 - 1968
Lawrence
Williams
US Army 1966 - 1969
I was assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic training. Completed training in September and was assigned to communications school in Fort Gordon, Georgia. I was stationed there until the end of April '67 and received orders for South Vietnam (May 67-May 68). My places of duty there were Pleiku, Qui Nhon, (when my brother in law J.T. Lomgmars of LaFollette was also on duty), Da Nang, Phu Bi, Hue City, and Dong Ha (DMZ). Spent my last year of service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. E.T.S.'d as an E5/SP5.
James
Woodson
US Army 1965 - 1967
Joe
Ellison
U.S. Coast Guard
From Wells Spring Community. Married to former Dale Greene. No Children. Last 25 years with Eaton Corporation - several positions in OH, NC, MI, CO, and now living in Hendersonville, TN.
Jimmy
Goins
US Army
David
Hicks
US Army
Gail
(Minton) Brnich
US Air Force
Served at Kessler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi and Ramstein AFB in Germany
Bill
Parrott
US Army
Dickie
Walter Reagan (KIA)
US Army
SGT - E5 - Army - Regular 101st
Airborne Division 21 year old Single, Negro, Male
Born on Feb 03, 1949 From LUMBERTON,
NORTH CAROLINA (Originally LaFollette);
His tour of duty began on Oct
14, 1969; Casualty was on May 06, 1970 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam; Hostile,
Ground Casualty Artillery, Rocket, or Mortar; Body was recovered.
Charles
Scott
US Army 1968 - 1970
I was in the United States Army from December 1968 until September 1970. I served with the 9TH Infantry Division in Viet Nam from May 1969 until May 1970 in the Mekong Delta. My battalion base camp was located in Rach Kien, South Viet Nam, which is in Long An Province about 50 miles south of Saigon. I am a career law enforcement officer. I retired in December 2003 from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and accepted the appointment of "Chief Deputy Sheriff" with the Campbell County Sheriff Department. I have been in law enforcement for 35 years.
I reside in Eagle Bluff Estates,
with my wife of 32 years, Shirley Scott. I have two children, Amy, who
resides in Clarksville, Tennessee, and Jennifer Lambert, who resides in
Glade Springs and is employed at the Campbell County Sheriff's department.
David
Stittums
US Marines
Ben Heatherly
Viet Nam Veteran. I served in the Air Force from May 1969 to Feb 1973. I have an honorable discharge and I was a Staff Sergeant at discharge. I went on to graduate from the University of Central Florida with a BSBA in 1978. My son is now a Veteran and has made a career in the Air Force. Visit my web page at Ben Heatherly
J.V. Russell
US Marines 1967 - 1973
J V Russell served in the Marines from 1967-1973.He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, stationed at Marble Mountain as an electronics technician. He left the Marines with the rank of Sergeant.
Denis
Brock
United States Army--1969-1971
SGT E-5 US Army Special Security Group; Asst. Chief of Staff for Intelligence, ACSI, DA; Pentagon, Washington, DC USARV, Long Binh(MACV), South Vietnam XVIII Airborne Corp; Ft. Bragg, NC AIT; Ft. Gordon, GA Basic Training; Ft. Jackson, SC.
Sharie
(Hausser) Russell
US Army 1974 - 1995
After graduation from LHS in 1967, and Carson-Newman College in 1971, Sharie returned to the faculty of LaFollette High School, teaching freshman English, and drivers' education for almost 3 years. In April of 1974, she left her teaching job to accept a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Women's Army Corps. After graduation from WAC Officer Basic, Sharie was assigned to the Military Police Corps, where she spent the remainder of her 21-year career. During that time, she served in a variety of locations, including Ft. Eustis and Ft. Story, VA; Taegu, Korea; and Mannheim, Germany.
As a Captain, Sharie commanded
the First MP Company at Ft. Irwin, CA. As a Lieutenant Colonel, she commanded
over 1200 soldiers in the 701st MP Battalion at Ft. McClellan, AL from
1992-94. She culminated her career as the Chief of MP Branch at the U.S.
Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM) in Alexandria, VA, retiring in August
of 1995. Sharie currently resides on the shores of Lake Logan Martin in
Lincoln, AL and works for Battelle Memorial Institute, developing training
programs on weapons of mass destruction and anti-terrorism for the Department
of Defense and other government clients.
Bill
Brooks Long (KIA)
US Army
CPL - E4 - Army - Selective Service;1st Cav Division (AMBL); 20 year old Married, Caucasian, Male Born on Apr 06, 1949; From LA FOLLETTE, TENNESSEE; His tour of duty began on Sep 08, 1969; Casualty was on Jan 29, 1970 in Tay Ninh, South Vietnam; Hostile, Ground Casualty Multiple Fragmentation Wounds; Body was recovered.
Ronnie Wright Spec. 4 321st. Transportation 1st. of the 50th. Mechanized Infantry. Served in Viet Nam from Dec. 1969 to Nov. 1970, including time spent in Long Bhen, Quan Loy & Phant Thiet. Awarded (2) Bronze Stars
Steve
Goins
US Marines 1969 - 1970
Robert
Joseph "Corky" Huddleston (KIA)
US Army
SGT - E5 - Army - Selective Service;
198th Light Infantry Brigade; 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male Born
on Oct 08, 1949; From LA FOLLETTE, TENNESSEE; His tour of duty began on
Mar 04, 1970; Casualty was on May 12, 1970 in Quang Tin, South Vietnam;
Hostile, died of wounds Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device; Body was
recoved.
Don
Banister
US Army 1969-1971
Charles
Bratcher
US Army 1973-1979
Warren
G. (Butch) Hatfield Jr.
Sgt. US Army 1970 - 1972
Mannheim, German MOS 11ER6; Done my job, nothing more, nothing less !! A learning experience that has never left me !! Extremely PROUD to be a Veteran and even more PROUD of ALL OUR VETERANS !!
Roger McCarty
U S Army 1969-1971
After graduation on 5/19/69, I turned 18 on 8/9/69 and was in the US Army on 08/11/69. Larry McCarty and I went in the Army on the Buddy Plan. We went to Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC.
My MOS in th Army was 71H20 Personnel Specialist. I went to Vietnam on 28 July 1970 and left Vietnam on 23 July 1971. I was in the 84th Engineer Battallion (Const). I spent 1 year, 11 months, and 14 days in the US Army with 1 year in Vietnam from July 1970 - July 1971. When I came out of the Army on 24 July 1971, my rank was Specialist 5th Class.
1970
John Floyd
Steve
Gillium
US Navy
Bobby
Johnson
US Army
Gary Nelson
Jimmy
Parrott
US Army
Glenn
Petree
US Army
David
Petree
US Army
Allen
W. Seal
US Army
Ft. Knox, KY for basic, Ft. Gordon, GA for AIT, then served with 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas where he was honorably discharged after 2 years of service.
Steve
Stout
US Army
Terry
Wilson
US Air Force
Mike Copley (killed--Iraq)
Coke
Poe
US Army 1973 - 1976
Coke Poe entered the United States Army in November of 1973 and was assigned to the United States Army Security Agency, a military branch of the National Security Agency. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and was trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Gordon, Georgia. His first assignment was as a multi channel communications technician at a border site on the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. His duties there included operating and maintaining classified equipment used to monitor North Korean and Chinese activities and troop movements. Coke's stateside duty included a 12 month tour at Fort Devens, Massachusetts serving at the U. S. Army Security Agency Training Center and School until his honorable discharge in November of 1976.
Raymond
McGhee
Serving in Iraq 2005
David
Russell
US Army 1975 - 1978
Entered the Army 1975, Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC. AIT at Fort Gordon, GA, trained as a Telecommunications Specialist. Overseas tour Ui Jong Bu, South Korea, 1976 -1977. Received honorable discharge from active duty 1978. Currently serving in the Army Reserve, Battlefield Projection Group, 1st BDE, 87th Division, Birmingham, Alabama as a battlefield systems simulation coach and NCOIC.
Paris
Ward
Serving in Iraq 2005
Linda
Anderson
US
Army 1975 - 1995
My assignments included Korea, Germany, Alaska,and Hawaii.
Linda Bratcher
Ken Bruce
Clyde Shoffner
Bob
Stooksbury
US Air Force
Bob Stooksbury joined the US Air Force in October 1979. Upon completion of Basic Training, he was assigned to a rapid deployable unit in South Korea. While in Korea, he earned an Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service and the Air Force Expert Marksmanship Award. In 1981, he was relocated to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona and remained there until October 1993. During that time, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal, and three Air Force Commendation Medals for Meritorious Service. Additionally, he was awarded the Air Forces' highest award for Individual Leadership. He was then assigned to Robins Air Force Base in central Georgia in 1993. Two years later, he was moved to Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, Alaska where he earned the US Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Southwest Asian Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.
During his 24 years of service, Bob has earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Occupational Education, Business Administration, and Public Health. He also holds degrees in Engineering and Environmental.
Gary
Wisner
Unsure of Graduation Year
1st
Lt. Henry (Hank) Hamblin Jr.
US ARMY 1986 -
Presently Enlisted as a Private in 1986 and worked his way up to Sergeant FirstClass. He is now an Infantry Officer who was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is proud of his heritage and his hometown of LaFollette. He is currently a Company Commander at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Robert
Carroll
US Army 1963 - 1969 Vietnam
I Am the Flag
Of America
I am the flag of the
United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's
tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's
halls of justice.
I fly majestically over
institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power
in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth
and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow
banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized
all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle
of every war for
more than 200 years:
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox,
San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France, the
Argonne forest, Anzio, Rome,
the beaches of Normandy, the
deserts of Africa, the
cane fields of the Philippines,
the rice paddies and
jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan,
Korea, Vietnam,
Guadalcanal, New Britain, Peleliu,
and many more islands.
And a score of places long forgotten
by all but those
who were with me.
I was there.
I led soldiers - I followed
them.
I watched over them.
They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo
Jima.
I led my
troops.
I'm presently in the mountains
of Afganistan
and the hot and dusty deserts
of Iraq and wherever
freedom is needed.
I was dirty,
battleworn and tired.
But my
soldiers cheered me
and I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and
trampled on the streets
of countries I have helped set
free.
It does not hurt for I am
invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned,
torn and trampled
in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those
Whom I've served
in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I
am strong.
I have slipped the bonds
of Earth and stood watch
over the uncharted frontiers
of space from my
vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are
yet to come.
When I am torn into strips
and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the
battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast
to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling
arms of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen
son or daughter,
I am proud.
My name is Old Glory.
Dear God -Long may I wave.
(author unknown)