Two warriors from two eras of American history address crowds in McKenzie and Huntingdon on Memorial May, May 29. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Jarrett (left) spoke in Huntingdon and Air Force retired Col. James Harding spoke in McKenzie.

Two warriors, two eras. Carroll County's Memorial Day events in McKenzie and Huntingdon were marked by the comments of two great men, each borrowed from the other's community. Retired Air Force Col. Jim Harding of the Leach community, outside Huntingdon, addressed McKenzie's "A Day of Remembrance" morning service while Army Sgt. 1st Class David Jarrett, of McKenzie, spoke to a crowd gathered in Huntingdon on the evening of Monday, May 29.

Harding was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. The daring rescues of the much decorated airman, recipient of the Air Force Cross, were documented by the History Channel along with his own harrowing ordeal when he was shot down and forced to employ his survival skills pending his own rescue. Rather than recount his exploits, however, Harding took up the cause of his brothers.

"I've seen the crosses—thousands and thousands in France, Italy and all over the continental United States," he said, calling attention to the vast numbers of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who have died in the cause of freedom. He declared Americans must rally for their warriors and not for the tactics of a cowardly enemy, quoting John Stuart Mill, who in the 19th century said, "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

Jarrett said he had discovered in the rigors of war a new family of brothers, sisters, and parents—steel bonds forged among those with whom he served in Iraq. Just five months home from the war, he was platoon sergeant to a group of young soldiers whose days and nights were spent scouring the roadside desert for a faceless enemy--the homemade bombs planted by those intent on disrupting the emergence of a new Iraq. Jarrett served alongside the men he led; his own vehicle was just behind the one in which Dusty Carroll was riding when an IED explosion ended his life scant months before the crew was scheduled to come home.

Reflecting on generations of brothers and sisters in arms who made the ultimate sacrifice, Jarrett said, "I continue striving every day to make this the land of the free because they were the brave...today we live in the land of the free because they were the brave."

The sweltering heat of the day did little to dissuade crowds from attending the patriotic events, both of which also featured quality entertainment. In McKenzie, Shaun Thompson sang the national anthem, Bethany Ellis sang "God Bless the U.S.A." and Cruise Control performed into the afternoon as crowds remained in the downtown park, spelled by Tera Townsend. At Thomas Park in Huntingdon, the eight-man ensemble, A.W.O.L., performed the national anthem, "America", and "We Say Thank You". Dr. Tim Tucker sang an alternate verse of "The Star Spangled Banner".

Both services were also blessed by prayer, in McKenzie delivered by National Guard Sgt. 1st Class George Nolen, who recently served in Kuwait, and in Huntingdon by The Honorable Walton West. Cathy Edlin led Boy Scouts Troop 78 in a ceremony honoring the memory of Carroll Countians killed throughout America's wars prior to the laying of the wreath by World War II veterans Odell Pate (Army) and William "PeeWee" Newton (Navy). Huntingdon Church of Christ Youth presented to veterans, widows of veteran, and active duty personnel and their wives patriotic bandanas in tribute to their sacrifices. Both events recognized veterans with corsages of red carnations courtesy of area florists. Color guards, Taps, and 21-gun salutes were professionally performed by Tennessee Army National Guard soldiers.
 

McKenzie's "A Day of Remembrance" Bethany Ellis sings “God Bless the U.S.A. at McKenzie’s memorial service.

Cathy Edlin directs a ceremony during which Boy Scouts of Troop 78 place ribbons on the “Wall of Remembrance”.

McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester salutes the flag as Shaun Thompson sings the national anthem.

Local scouts sit ready to place ribbons on the “Wall of Remembrance, below.”

McKenzie’s favorite sons, now old, bear the wreath to be placed at the Carroll County War Memorial in McKenzie. World War II veterans Odell Pate (left, Army) and William “PeeWee” Newton (Navy) made the ceremony more poignant by their reverence.

WW II veterans Odell Pate and “PeeWee” Newton stand before the war memorial as Spec. Robert Lovell salutes and Iraq War veteran Bobby Gulledge stands in repose. Gulledge was wounded in the IED attack that killed Sgt. Dusty Carroll.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary man the refreshment table.

 

Town of Huntingdon Memorial Day Service   Above, Lonnie McCullough and Bill Vines enjoy comraderie before the event begins. Vines and Lowell Merrell were the oldest veterans present at 86.

Huntingdon employee Mary Barnhill enjoys the evening. The employees of both towns were indispensable in bringing the events to the people of Carroll County.

Huntingdon Council member Melissa Powell helps her father, Jim Dick Crews, rise for the national anthem.

Bruceton veterans Lloyd Teague and Lowell Merrell hail from V.F.W. Post 4349.

Master Sgt. retired Earl Jarrett receives a red carnation. Father of speaker David Jarrett, Earl had the most years in service at the event—42.

Talented local vocalists make up the eight-man ensemble known as A.W.O.L.

Tennessee Army National Guard soldiers prepare to post the colors at the Huntingdon event. National Guard soldiers acted as color guards for both Carroll County events.