Wednesday day of remembering our heroes, sharing their stories

Veteran Charles McNeeley’s banner was the first one hoisted when the banners were first hung in 2023.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – “Remember our heroes. Share their stories,” said U.S. Army Colonel Marvin Bolinger, retired, during a special ceremony. The colonel’s words did not fall on deaf ears as a healthy crowd of gathered on South Tennessee Avenue Wednesday afternoon to do just that. Members of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148, of which Bolinger is a member, hosted the “Local Heroes” program in front of City Hall.

“This banner dedication ceremony is to remember, honor and salute our local heroes of Campbell County,” said Colonel Bolinger.

See the full photo gallery from WLAF’s Charlie Hutson HERE.

Vanessa Dupuy, her mother, Bobbie Archer (right) and friends sang the National Anthem.

The ceremony began and ended in efficient military fashion opening with prayer from veteran Paul Hilliard followed by the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Vanessa Dupuy and friends sang the anthem. Veteran Ed Housley, President of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148, led the pledge. The colonel recognized the veterans and Gold Star Families in attendance as well as local leaders and City of La Follette personnel for supporting the ceremony and events surrounding it.

Rain held off for Wednesday’s ceremony.

The story of Private First Class Jacob Queener was shared by Bolinger. “It wasn’t uncommon for brothers to fight in World War II, and that was the case of the Queener brothers, Jacob, Millard and Clayton.. Jacob was killed in combat at Luxemburg,” said Bolinger. The colonel read a letter from Jacob’s commanding officer and closed by saying ” he served and died while doing his job.” PFC Jacob Queener was laid to rest at Bakers Forge Cemetery.

South Tennessee Avenue was also lined with onlookers.

A few of the other war heroes from Campbell County were mentioned. James Elvin Goins was captured by the Germans in WWII and was held in a prison camp. “He returned home and had a career at one of the local shirt factories. Carl and Tom Stiner, brothers, served our country at the very highest levels; Carl a Four Star General and Tom a Full-Bird Colonel,” said Colonel Bolinger.

Bolinger shared some impressive numbers reflecting Campbell Countians rich heritage of service to country. “In World War I more than a thousand served and 39 died while 4,000 were involved in World War II where 150 lost their lives. Many served during Korea and Vietnam with 12 Campbell Countians paying the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War, four each from La Follette and Jellico, two from Caryville and one each from Newcomb and Pioneer,” said Colonel Bolinger. “Remember our heroes, let their service never be forgotten” he added from the War of 1812 to the Middle East.

A sun baked crowd looked and listened.

Yesterday’s ceremony kicked off the Memorial Holiday period as banners, hung high above the streets of La Follette, including South Tennessee Avenue, were noted by the colonel. “The banners salute and honor a hero and tell the story of a Campbell County hero,” said Bolinger.

Though the lion’s share of those remembered on Wednesday served in the U.S. Army, Bolinger turned to a Navy tradition, the seven solemn tolls of a U.S. Navy honor bell (below), to highlight the ceremony.

The colonel explained the seven tolls. Toll one: The Choice to Serve- This toll represents the veteran’s willingness to sacrifice their life for their country; a dedication to which few are called. Toll two: Camaraderie- The second toll represents the friendships, family, and unity that bond all service members together. Toll three: Patriotism- The third toll represents the veteran’s pride in their country, a duty to protect it, and the joy in celebrating the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. Toll four: Respect- The fourth toll represents the respect given to a veteran by their community, earned by them and owed by us, for their service. Toll five: Dignity- The fifth toll represents the dignity with which a veteran’s community treats their fallen hero. Toll six: Honor- The sixth toll represents the honor that is due to a veteran when they have died, given by their fellow service members and community. Toll seven: The Value of Life- The seventh toll represents the ultimate sacrifice that the veteran has made. Whether killed in action, or after long years of quiet service, the value of a veteran cannot be adequately described by words alone.

Bolinger, a La Follette High School Alum, made special reference to the young men from LHS who lost their lives at Vietnam. They are Bill Brooks Long, Corky Huddleston, George Heatherly and Dickie Reagan.

Left to right are Emma McCarty, Pam Thompson, Helen Cordell, Helen Ross, Gail Brown, Sandra Brady and Marvin Bolinger.

Sandra Brady, Gail Brown, Helen Cordell, Helen Ross and Pam Thompson Webb read the 60 names of those remembered under Wednesday’s mostly sunny sky. Emma McCarty rang the bell twice after each name was read for camaraderie representing the friendships, family, and unity that bond all service members together. See the full list of names HERE.

What began with a goal of 30 is now more than triple that of having banners to remember and honor our heroes showcased in town. Banners are now displayed on the street light hangers in Downtown LaFollette. The banners will remain along Central Avenue and other downtown streets through the Independence Day celebration. The banners highlight the heroes who served in the various wars of our nation.

A 21 gun salute ahead of taps closed out Wednesday’s ceremony.

Community Trust Bank’s downtown office hosted a reception for the veterans, family and community members after the ceremony. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/16/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)