TOP PHOTO:  Noah Asher (left) and his daughter Cheryl Allen take a minute to visit.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – When I saw Noah Asher wearing his Korea Veteran cap, I couldn’t pass up the chance to visit with him a few summers ago.  WLAF shares Asher’s story on this week of Veterans Day.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – You couldn’t help but notice his bright orange shirt, friendly smile and, of course, his Korea Veteran cap.  Noah Asher was leaving the CVS Pharmacy when we caught up with him early Saturday afternoon. “Here feel this bicep.  Now shake my hand.  Squeeze it!  I mean really squeeze it,” said Asher as he proudly showed off his strength at almost 86-years of age.  He was quick to let me know that he didn’t smoke or drink or anything like that; reasons he credits helping him keep up such strength.

Asher flexes his bicep

Born at Straight Creek, Kentucky, the US Army veteran was only 18-years- old when he enlisted in 1951.  Soon afterwards, he found himself in the Korean War.

“I met Noah a long time ago.  He would make fishing rods, and I bet he’s made me a dozen or more over the years,” said Danny McCulley.  McCulley, a veteran himself, is the Commander of the Campbell County Honor Guard.  McCulley said Noah served in the Guard before he did, and then they served together.  McCulley said, “He’s (Noah) a really good person.”

Asher said, “What we went through over there is showing up more and more on me now and has been for a while.”  His daughter Cheryl Allen added, “He nearly froze to death (in the snow, ice and frigid temperatures) while in Korea.  Frostbite has taken its toll, and it still bothers him when it snows.  He also suffered hearing damage.”

Asher said, “This military tattoo on my left forearm served as a way to identify me had I been killed in action.”

He’s lived  in Campbell County, up the valley from La Follette, for more than 35 years.  Between the war and moving here, he worked for GM, where he retired.  Asher served for several years as a proud member of the Campbell County Honor Guard.

Thank you for your service, Corporal Noah Asher.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/29/2019-6AM-UPDATED – 11/07/2019-6AM – UPDATED 11/08/2021-6AM)

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