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Huntingdon Hosts Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

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The City of Huntingdon hosted its 18th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Thomas Park on East Main Street in Huntingdon at 10 a.m., Monday, May 31.
Huntingdon native Major General Tommy H. Baker, the commissioner of Tennessee Department of Veteran Services and deputy adjutant general for Tennessee National Guard, was the featured speaker.
Major General Tommy H. Baker serves in Governor Bill Lee’s cabinet as commissioner for the Department of Veterans Services, effective immediately.
Baker formerly served as interim commissioner for the department. He remains the Deputy Adjutant General of the Tennessee National Guard, responsible for the training and supervision of over 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen.
He enlisted in the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1980 as a 19 Delta Calvary Scout in Troop B, 230th Cavalry in Huntingdon and was commissioned in 1985 from the Tennessee Military Academy.
He deployed to Kuwait in 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and again in 2008 as the commander of the 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Baker earned his bachelor’s degree in public administration at the University of Tennessee-Martin. He later earned a master’s degree in business administration and military management from Touro University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.
He resides in Huntingdon, Tenn. with his wife, Camille, a consultant to Head Start. They have two adult children, Hillari and Cody, and a daughter-in-law, Niti.
General Baker spoke about the commitment each member of the armed forces makes when he or she enlists. They sign a blank check to give whatever it takes to defend their country. The men and women who served, some were called, some volunteered, all are heroes, said Baker. He said Memorial Day is a day to cherish our freedoms and to remember those whose lives were lost in service to the country. He noted 2274 names are inscribed in the war memorial in Huntingdon to denote those whose lives were lost.
Mayor Dale Kelley welcomed everyone to Thomas Park, the former home of the railroad depot, where many soldiers boarded the train destined to begin their journey in service to the country.
Tera Townsend sang the National Anthem and a patriotic medley.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 276 of Clarksburg placed the memorial wreath and Randy Crossett raised the flag to full staff at the end of the program.
Jacob Harris, pastor of Huntingdon First Baptist Church, provided the closing prayer.