A day of remembering our heroes, sharing their stories

Campbell County has always been very patriotic with citizens answering their nation’s call

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – On this 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the 12 men of Campbell County who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Republic of South Vietnam were especially remembered and honored at Thursday’s annual Banner Dedication Ceremony. “Remember our heroes. Let us carry their names, their stories and their spirit with us ensuring that their sacrifices are not forgotten,” said U.S. Army Colonel Marvin Bolinger, retired, during this special ceremony. The colonel’s words did not fall on deaf ears as a healthy crowd gathered on South Tennessee Avenue Thursday afternoon to do just that. Members of Vietnam Veterans of America 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 Marvin Bolinger (above).

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

The ceremony began and ended in efficient military fashion opening with prayer from Chaplain Paul Hilliard, a member of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148, followed by the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Pam Olivio 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.

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.

Of those Campbell Countians who served as boots on the ground in Vietnam, 12 made the ultimate sacrifice. “They were our friends, our neighbors, our classmates, our cousins and indeed our brothers,” said Colonel Bolinger.

John Earl Lay from Jellico was the first Campbell Countian to make the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Others who gave all are Daniel Edgar Walden of Jellico, Earnest Gibson from Pioneer, Lonnie Junior Robbins out of Caryville, Reece Leslie Maple of Jellico, Ronnie Joe Daugherty from Newcomb, Earnest Lon Lowe out of Caryville, George Glen Heatherly from LaFollette, Lonnie Lowell Gibson-Jellico, Bill Brooks Long of LaFollette, Dickie Walter Reagan from LaFollette, Robert Joseph “Corky” Huddleston out of LaFollette. See the more about these 12 soldiers further down this page.

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 Thursday 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.

Chig Cole Brady, Gail Herrin Brown, Helen Cordell Connor, Helen Ross and Pam Thompson Webb read 166 names of those remembered under Thursday’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.

What began with a goal of 30 is now up to166 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.

Community Trust Bank’s downtown office hosted a reception for the veterans, family and community members after the ceremony.

John Earl Lay-Jellico

PFC John Earl Lay was the first Campbell Countian to make the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.  PFC Lay was an infantry soldier who served in the 1st Cavalry and was killed on 29, January 1966, after serving in Vietnam for five months. PFC Lay was 19 years old.

Daniel Edgar Walden-Jellico

PFC Daniel Edgar Walden was an Infantry soldier who served in the 1^st Infanrty Division and was killed on 11, April 1966, after serving in Vietnam for 36 days.  For his heroic actions, PFC Danny Walden was presented the Silver Star, the third highest of the nations awards for valor and gallantry.  According to a newspaper article in the Knoxville News-Sentinel on November 24, 1966, the citation said that PFC Walden’s company was in combat with a batallion sized Viet Cong unit.  PFC Walden observed a gap in the defensive perimeter and immediately positioned to fill that gap.  The Viet Cong had recognized the gap and had massed to exploit the weakness.  As the Viet Cong approached, Walden then stood up in defiance engaging the enemy with his automatic weapon and hand grenades.  Although wounded, Walden continued to fire eliminating the approaching enemy.  Walden gave his life, but in so doing, he saved the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers and helped prevent the enemy from overrunning the site. PFC Walden was 21 years old.

Earnest Gibson-Pioneer

SP4 Earnest Gibson was an Infantry soldier who served in the 25^th Infantry Division and was killed on 8, august 1966, after serving in Vietnam for four months.  SP4 Gibson was 23 years old.

Lonnie J. Robbins-Caryville  

PFC Lonnie Junior Robbins was a Tactical Wire Communications Specialist who served in the 25^th Infantry Division and was killed 18, September 1967, after serving in Vietnam for barely two months. PFC Robbins was 19 years old.

Reece Leslie Marple-Jellico

SSG Rreece Leslie Marple was an Infantry soldier who served in the 9^th Infantry Division and was killed on 11, May 1968, after serving in Vietnam for 11 months. SSG Marple was 22 years old.

Ronnie Joe Daugherty-Newcomb

PFC Ronnie Joe Daugherty was an Infantry soldier who served in the 9^th infantry division and was killed on 24, May 1968, after serving in Vietnam for one month.  PFC Daugherty was 19 years old.

Earnest Lon Lowe-Caryville

SFC Earnest Lon Lowe was an Infantry soldier who served in the 1st Cavalry Division and was killed on 15, October 1968, after serving in Vietnam for nine months. SFC Lowe was 28 years old.

George Glen Heatherly-LaFollette

SP4 George Glen Heatherly was a Combat Engineer who served in the 1^st Infantry Division and was killed in Vietnam on 14, May 1969, after serving in Vietnam for barely two months. SP4 Heatherly was 21 years old.

Lonnie Lowell Gibson-Jellico

PFC Lonnie Lowell Gibson was an Infantry soldier who served in the 4^th Infantry Division and was killed on 28 September 1969, after serving in Vietnam for almost three months. PFC Gibson was 20 years old.

Bill Brooks Long-LaFollette

CPL Bill Brooks Long was an Infantry soldier who served in the 1^st Cavalry Division and was killed on 29 January 1970, after serving in Vietnam for five months. CPL Long was 20 years old.

Dickie Walter Reagan-LaFollette

SGT Dickie Walter Reagan was an Infantry soldier who served in the 101^st Airborne Division and was killed on 6, May 1970, after serving in Vietnam for eight months. SGT Reagan was 21 years old.

Robert Joseph “Corky” Huddleston-LaFollette

SGT Robert Joseph “Corky” Huddleston was an Infantry soldier who served in the Americal Division and was killed in Vietnam on 12, May 1970, after serving in Vietnam for two months.  SGT Huddleston was 21 years old.

Here is the combined list of veterans names that were announced to the crowd at Thursday’s ceremony. A banner for each of these veterans is displayed along the streets of Downtown LaFollette.

DONNY BRAY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

GEORGE BLANKENSHIP, VIETNAM, US ARMY

BILLY RAY MINTON, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

ALFRED SAULSBERRY, WW II, US ARMY

ALONZO WALDEN, KOREA, US ARMY

HOWARD ST JOHN, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

DR. EARL WOODS, WW II, US NAVY

JACK STOUT, VIETNAM, US ARMY

CARL STINER, VIETNAM, PANAMA, DESERT STORM, US ARMY

DICKIE REAGAN, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JACOB QUEENER, WW II, US ARMY

DAVID MATLOCK, VIETNAM, US ARMY

HUGH POWERS, WW II, US ARMY

JOHN EARL LAY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

ELVIN R. GOINS, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

CHARLES HOUSLEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

MIKE HILL, VIETNAM, US ARMY

KEITH HILL, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

DILLARD ARCHER, VIETNAM, US ARMY

FREDERICK BOLINGER, WAR OF 1812, EAST TENNESSEE MILITIA

ERNEST “SHARKEY” HILL, WW II, US ARMY

HERMAN CARROLL, WW II, US ARMY

SAM CLAIBORNE, WW II, ARMY AIR CORP

HARVEY HILL, KOREA, US ARMY

PETE DOSSETT, WW II, US ARMY

WILLIAM CLAIBORNE, WW II, US ARMY

RONNIE HENDERSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY

WILLIAM SHIELDS BOLINGER, WW II, US ARMY

HUBERT HILL, WW II, US ARMY

EARNEST LON LOWE, VIETNAM, US ARMY

MARSHALL BOLINGER, KOREA, US ARMY

JOSEPH EDWARD ROGERS, WW II. ARMY AIR FORCE

GARY MCNEELEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JAMES WENDALL BAILEY, COLD WAR, US NAVY

NEWMAN FORD, WW II, US ARMY

SILAS GRANT, WW II, US ARMY

KYLE MCDOWELL, KOREA, US ARMY

LESLIE CRAIG, VIETNAM, US ARMY

TERRY NATHAN BURRELL, VIETNAM, MARINES

ELMER HATMAKER, WW II, US ARMY

ROBERT ALLEN, KOREA, MARINES

ELDON NEWPORT, KOREA, US ARMY

JOE B CHAPMAN, KOREA, US ARMY

ODIS B PHILLIPS, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

HOWARD BOLINGER, WW II, US ARMY

MARVIN RAY SMITH, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JEFFREY L NICELY, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

EUGENE WILSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY

CARL PRATER, WW II, US ARMY

ELZO WALDEN, KOREA, US ARMY

ROBERT “CORKY” HUDDLESTON, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JESS WRIGHT, VIETNAM, US ARMY

GENE THOMAS, WW II, US ARMY

BILL WILSON, WW II, ARMY AIR FORCE

EARNEST GIBSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY

LEE BAIRD, WW II, US ARMY

VIRGIL COLE, WW II, US ARMY

LANSDEN HILL, SR, WW II, US NAVY

WAYNE HEATHERLY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

ARDEN LEACH, WW II, US ARMY

SILER MCCARTY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JOHN REYNOLDS, KOREA, US ARMY

CLARENCE MCNEELEY, KOREA, US ARMY

FATE ROBBINS, VIETNAM, US ARMY

CARLOCK MYERS, KOREA, US ARMY

KEN PRATER, VIETNAM, US ARMY

DELMA MULL HATMAKER, WW II, ARMY NURSE

JIMMY RAY MINTON, VIETNAM, US ARMY

BILL BROOKS LONG, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JOE ORTA, VIETNAM, US ARMY

FRANCIS SHARP, WW II, US ARMY

LONNIE LOWELL GIBSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY

MILLARD WRIGHT, VIETNAM, US NAVY

GEORGE AYERS, WW II, US ARMY

BYRD DEWEY FORD, WW I, US NAVY

BILLY GLENN HEATHERLY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

SILER KITTS, WW II, US ARMY

CURTIS MONDAY, WW II, US ARMY

DANNY EDGAR WALDEN, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JAMES DENNY THOMAS, WW II, US ARMY

MILLARD QUEENER, WW II, US ARMY

EARNEST WILSON, WW II, US ARMY

CARL NORMAN, WW I, US ARMY

JENNINGS PACK, WW II, US ARMY

HARRY WADDELL, WW II, US NAVY

ALFRED BARTON SILER, IRAQ, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

OTIS MCGHEE, WW II, US ARMY

RUBEN WALDEN, KOREA, US ARMY

WILLIAM ANDERSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY

RON CORDELL, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

LORA BOWLING, KOREA, US ARMY

DAN TILLER, VIETNAM, US ARMY

OTIS RICHARDSON, WW II, US ARMY

TERRY PRATER, IRAQ, US ARMY

JOHN DOSSETT, WW II, MARINES

DAVID REYNOLDS, WW II, US ARMY

MELVIN SWEAT, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

HUGH C SPRADLIN, VIETNAM, US ARMY

EDWARD MURRAY, WW II, US ARMY

CHARLES MYERS, WW II, US ARMY

RONNIE JOE DAUGHERTY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

RAY BURNS, WW II, US ARMY

GEORGE HAYES, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

GILFORD HENRY LOVELY, WW II, US NAVY

DWIGHT CRAIG, VIETNAM, US NAVY

CHRISTOPHER GALLAGHER, MIDDLE EAST, NAVY

JIMMY FORD, PERSIAN GULF, US ARMY

LOWELL CRAIG, VIETNAM, US NAVY

JOHN HUDDLESTON, WW II, ARMY AIR CORP

REESE LESLIE MARPLE, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JAMES BRANTLEY, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

DARYLL ROSS, CUBAN CRISIS, US AIR FORCE

EDWARD WRIGHT, WW II, US ARMY

EVERETT SHARP, WW II, US ARMY

PAUL BROYLES SR, VIETNAM ERA, MARINES

GENE P MATTIE, KOREA, US AIR FORCE

LUTHER SEIBER, VIETNAM, US ARMY

WILLIAM JACKSON PRATER, WW II, US NAVY

WARREN HATFIELD, WW II, US ARMY

ALBERT COOPER, WW II, US ARMY

DAVE OSBORNE, WW II, US NAVY

EDWARD POE BOSTIC, KOREA, MARINES

EDWIN CHAPMAN, PEARL HARBOR, US NAVY

ROBERT HALE, KOREA, US AIR FORCE

MARK CARROLL, VIETNAM, US ARMY

CARLO BRUCE, KOREA, US ARMY

ALEXANDER LAWSON, IRAQ, US ARMY

ALBERT MCNEELEY, WW II/KOREA, AIR FORCE

LAWRENCE MCCARTY, WW II, US ARMY

CHARLES SWEAT, KOREA, US ARMY

GARY ROBBINS, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JAMES REYNOLDS, WW II, MARINES

JOHN C PAUL, WW II, US ARMY

GEORGE GLEN HEATHERLY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

SHERMAN WRIGHT, WW II, US ARMY

FRED WADDELL, WW II, US NAVY

MICKEY WEBB, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

EMERY DOW AUXIER, WW II, US ARMY

RICHARD LONG, VIETNAM, US ARMY

KENNETH ESTES PRATER, WW II, US NAVY

JUDITH BROYLES, VIETNAM ERA, MARINES

CARL HENRY NORTON, KOREA, US ARMY

E J THOMAS, WW II, US ARMY

FRANK WILSON, WW II, US ARMY

CLYDE H WILHOIT, WW II, US ARMY

LONNIE J ROBBINS, VIETNAM, US ARMY

HUGH EDGAR BOLINGER, WW I, US ARMY

DONALD CLEAR, VIETNAM, US ARMY

JAMES ELVIN GOINS, WW II, US ARMY

JOBY BYRGE, WW II, US ARMY

HENRY HAMBLIN, KOREA, US ARMY

DELBERT HOUSLEY, WW II, US ARMY

FLOYD PETE HENEGAR, KOREA, US ARMY

GRAYDON LOVELY, WW II, US ARMY

CHARLES MCNEELEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

TOM STINER, VIETNAM, COLD WAR, DESERT STORM, US ARMY

JIMMY THOMPSON, KOREA, US NAVY

ARVEL OVERTON, WW II, US ARMY

RICHARD TURNEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY

IRA QUEENER, KOREA, US AIR FORCE

DANA PEANUT SMITH, VIETNAM, US ARMY

CHARLES O BRADEN, WW II, ARMY AIR CORP

CARROLL WHEELER, WW II, US NAVY

RAYMOND HATMAKER, WW II, US NAVY

BOB FORD, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE

CHARLES CLIFFORD LEACH, VIETNAM/DESERT STORM, US AIR FORCE

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/23/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)