‘This park is to honor our flag, honor our country and honor our veterans’- said Veteran H.R. Douglas

Vietnam Veteran H.R. Douglas with Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1148 addressed the county commission at Monday’s workshop asking for support for their new project of a Veteran’s Park in Caryville. The park would feature a giant American Flag on a 60-foot pole with other military service flags surrounding it. The VVA is currently fundraising and taking donations for this project.

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Representatives with the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) addressed the county commission at Monday’s workshop regarding a project for the community and asking the county for financial support.

The project is for a Veteran’s Park including the installation of a large American Flag that will be located facing I-75 adjacent to Caryville Cares Playground and will also include military service flags as well.

Vietnam Veteran H.R. Douglas with VVA Chapter 1148 addressed the commission on Monday evening to let them know of their “exciting new project” and invite them to “share in making it happen.”

According to Douglas, the city of Caryville “has graciously offered to provide land for the installation of the flag. The property is TVA owned. They have also been gifted a 12×24 American Flag that will be displayed on a 60-foot commercial-grade flagpole. 

“With the help of your donations we are planning on creating a Veterans Park with all the Service Flags, seating and a wall or similar way to honor the local members of our community. We believe this will become a local landmark for our area, drawing people to the park to spend time and enjoy our community,” Douglas said.

The Vietnam Veterans of America is a 501C corporation, making donations tax deductible.

The local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America currently has 114 members and “is one of the fastest growing chapters in the country,” according to Douglas.

“This park is to honor our flag, honor our country and honor our veterans. Hundreds of thousands of people will see it over a years’ time as they drive by on I-75. It will be well-lit and professionally done and something the whole county can be proud of,” Douglas said. 

Commissioner Rusty Orick said he “applauds” what they are doing. All commissioners gave Douglas a standing ovation after he finished speaking about the project.

 Orick asked how much the endeavor was going to cost.

“We’re going to have to raise between $50,000 and $100,000,” Douglas said.

“I will support you as much as I can. Our nation is falling away, and our young children need to see this,” Orick said.

Commissioner Scott Kitts and Commissioner Dewayne Kitts both commended the project.

Commissioner Dewayne Gibson also said he believed it was the perfect location and was in support as well.

Orick said that this project “stirred his heart” and asked if some of the funding from the county’s recent sale of the PTO building and property could go towards this project. 

“I think the county commission needs to empower Johnny to see if we can pull some funding from that fund. It was set aside for Industrial Development,” Orick said.

Multiple other commissioners said they were in support of this.

“Can we expedite this, I want to be a part of this,” Commissioner Scott Kitts said.

“When you come down that interstate and you see that Flag, it’s going to change you. People traveling by here will see that and they won’t forget that” Orick said.

Commission Chairman Johnny Bruce said he would talk to the finance department about it tomorrow.

Douglas said VVA chapter 1148 would be doing additional fundraising for the project.

Checks should be made to Vietnam Veterans Group Flag Fund. Donations can be mailed to: VVA Flag Fund, P.O. Box 1148, LaFollette, TN 37766.  Donations can also be hand delivered to any of the officers or VVA board members.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/09/2024-6AM)

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