TOP PHOTO: A flag folding demonstration and explanation of the meaning of the 13 folds of the flag was held during the ceremony on Thursday morning.

Veterans gathered for fellowship at a special breakfast and Veterans Ceremony hosted by H.R. Douglas Thursday morning.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – A special Veteran’s Day breakfast and bonfire was hosted by H.R. Douglas and his wife Lana on Thursday morning to honor local veterans. 

A crowd gathered at the Purple Heart Army Veteran’s home to fellowship with one another and honor veterans, both living and gone. 

Douglas and his wife began the event last year in “order to give something back to veterans.”

“Today’s event is to honor those that never came home as well as those who did,” Douglas said.

The ceremony began with a 21 gun salute by Honor Guard members and a solemn Taps played by Capt. Vivian Loudy. 

Veteran David Young (center) reads the oath of service as veterans renewed their oaths. Joining Young under the tent are left to right Clyde Douglas, Rick Siler, Mike Stanfield, Young and H.R. Douglas.

The event included the reading of several poems, as well as a flag folding ceremony explaining the significance of the 13 folds of the American flag. During the ceremony, there was also the “respectful retirement” of several flags which had become tattered. 

On behalf of the Jellico Honor Guard, Douglas presented the flag that had been folded to widow Joan Feeney in honor of her husband Donald, who was a veteran. 

Veterans pledging Allegiance to the flag.

Sgt. Rick Siler shared the Marine Corps prayer. LaFollette Mayor and Vietnam Vet Mike Stanfield spoke briefly, saying that veterans would be soldiers “until life leaves their body.”

“We’ll be veterans, and we’ll fight for this country until the day we die,” Stanfield said.

Honor Guard members attended the Veterans Ceremony and breakfast.

Veterans also renewed their oaths during the event while Veteran David Young read them aloud.

“That oath we swore to when we were 19 or 20 still holds true; it has no expiration date. It doesn’t stop, it doesn’t change, it was the same as the day we were sworn in,” Young said as all veterans present raised their right hands and renewed their military oaths of service.

“We were very proud when we wore that uniform when we were young and we’re still very proud,” Young said. 

Veteran H.R. Douglas presented Joan Feeney with a flag in honor of her husband Donald.

As the Pledge of Allegiance was said, Douglas and others saluted with pride.

“This is in honor of the flag. In honor of our country. I love our country; I literally shed my blood for what that flag represents, and I would do it again,” Douglas said. 

The names of Campbell County Veterans who died in Vietnam were read aloud to honor them. “Those are the real heroes, and we want to honor their ultimate sacrifice,” Douglas said. 

Captain Vivian Loudy presents Johnny Fly Campbell with an honorary Honor Guard membership.

Veteran Ronnie Wright read the names aloud – ” These are the heroes that didn’t grow old with us,” Wright said. 

Campbell County Vietnam Veterans who died in the war include:

Ronnie J. Daugherty

William D. Daugherty

Ernest Gibson

Lonnie L. Gibson

Woodrow Harris

George Heatherly

Robert J. Huddleston

James W. Hunley

John E. Lay

Bill B. Long

Earnest L. Lowe

Reece L. Marple

Jerry E. Perkins

Dickie Regan

Claude Reid

Lonnie J. Robbins

Carl L. Russell

Don Smith

Daniel E. Walden

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/12/2021-6AM)

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