Campbell County female veterans among the many on Wednesday’s HonorAir Flight #35

Left to right are Campbell County female veterans U.S. Army Captain Vivian Loudy, U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sergeant Tiffany Heredia and Libby Thrasher-U.S. Air Force.

KNOXVILLE, TN (WLAF)- It was quite the experience on HonorAir #35 for three Campbell County female veterans. The trio was among more than 140 female veterans who were flown to Washington, D.C., last Wednesday and visited the memorials built to honor their service and sacrifice. Captain Vivian Loudy, U.S. Army, Gunnery Sergeant Tiffany Heredia, U.S. Marine Corp, and Elizabeth “Libby” Thrasher, U.S. Air Force, had a personal volunteer escort in Debbie Doerfler.

See the full photo gallery HERE.

Left to right: Laura Norwood of Loudon, a Desert Storm Veteran, Tina Sheppard of Powell, Debbie Doerfler, Elizabeth Thrasher, Tiffany Heredia and Vivian Loudy.

“This was a lifetime experience for me,” said Vivian Loudy. The 1967 La Follette High alum started her 11 year military career with the Tennessee National Guard, the 278th, based at Knoxville. That unit is currently being deployed to Kuwait, according to Loudy, who lives in La Follette.

Vivian Loudy with Debbie Doerfler

As a 36-year old, Loudy, who earned her nursing degree, went in as an officer. “As a nurse, soldiers treated you like a God, we were so respected, the healthcare professionals,” said Loudy. She was inspired by her father, a World War II veteran, and her aunt who was in the Women’s Army Corp.

Loudy’s three children lived the military life with her. “They’d see me lace up my boots, put on my uniform each day and go off to the base,” said Loudy.

Left to right are Heredia, Loudy, Sheppard, Thrasher and Norwood at the Korean War Memorial.

“The trip was the most amazing experience, the respect and admiration I felt, a very honorable experience,” said Loudy. She also enjoyed the comradery with the all female flight.

Though Debbie Doerfler did not serve, her 93-year old father is a Korean War Veteran. “He still serves with the honor guard in his Oklahoma home town,” said Doerfler.

Doerfler, a hospice nurse of 16 years with Covenant Health, was selected on her second try to be a volunteer escort for HonorAir. “This is a way for me to give back, and I so enjoyed hearing the stories. I had a fabulous time. It was the best experience of my life,” said Doerfler.

Massachusetts native Tiffany Heredia, who now days makes her home at Jacksboro, served in the Marines from 1999 to 2018. Her service includes Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) at Afghanistan in 2010. Heredia, now employed at Y-12, was a gunnery sergeant in the USMC.

Massachusetts native Tiffany Heredia, who now days makes her home at Jacksboro, served in the Marines from 1999 to 2018. Her service includes Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) at Afghanistan in 2010.

Heredia’s grandfather was a prisoner of war, and her brother also served while she was in JROTC in high school.

Loudy, Sheppard, Norwood, Thrasher and Heredia stand in front of the female veterans memorial.

“It was great to listen to the stories of the older female veterans, one of the best parts of the trip. My favorite was the WWII monument. The women’s memorial was cool,” said Heredia.

“I recommend the trip to any female veteran. It was definitely a great experience,” said Heredia.

WLAF was not able to make contact with the third female veteran from Campbell County, Libby Thrasher.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/30/2024-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)

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