“Make it a Grand Week”- Olivia Lobertini, The Grand on Central

Veterans Day Parade is Saturday at 2pm in La Follette

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.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- The year 2025 is an important milestone in the history of our military—the US Army, the US Navy, and the US Marine Corp all celebrate their 250th birthday. the Army turned 250 on June 14 followed by the US Navy on October 13 followed by the US Marine Corp on November 10. The US Air Force was created in 1947 and just turned 78.

WLAF’s Charlie Hutson shares his photo gallery from the 2024 Veterans Day Parade.

Ed Housley, Parade Chairman, has announced this year in honor of the 250th birthday of three of our services, we will have multiple Grand Marshals—one veteran representing each of the Army, Navy, and the Marine Corp. also including as Grand Marshalls will be a veteran representing the US Air Force and two Army nurses representing all the ladies who have served our great country through the military.

Lieutenant Colonel Bill Grieve—Army
Corporal Steve Goins—Marines
Chief Petty Officer Leroy Morgan—Navy Seabees
Master Sergeant Hugh Hatmaker—Air Force
Captain Vivian Loudy and Captain Rose Marlowe—Women in Uniform

Representing the US Army is Lieutenant Colonel Bill Grieve who served in Vietnam as a mechanized infantry platoon leader in the 52nd infantry. Following his service in Vietnam, Bill continued to serve in the Army Reserves. He was activated for Desert Storm where he served as a public affairs officer for 2nd Army. In civilian life, he taught agriculture at Campbell County High School and continues to serve in many military organizations.

Representing the US Navy is Seabee Chief Petty Officer (E7) Leroy Morgan. CPO Morgan served for 20 years in the service. he has continued to serve his community having now served on the Campbell County Honor Guard for over 30 years, as Disabled American Veterans Commander for over 10 years, Chairman of the Veterans Memorial at Jacksboro as well as a Desert Storm Veteran in 1990-91. Today, Seabee CPO Leroy Morgan represents his US Navy.

Representing the US Marine Corp is Corporal Steve Goins. Steve joined the Marine Corp in 1968. He was ordered to Vietnam in 1969 where he served with the 3rd Marine Division near Quang Tri. After finishing his service in Vietnam, he decided to come home where he eventually began working for CSX Railroad as a Conductor on the railroad until he retired in 2008. Steve has been a member of Open Arms Ministry for a number of years and has a served as a past president. Steve continues to serve his community as a very active member of the Campbell County Honor Guard.

Representing the US Air Force is Master Sergeant Hugh Hatmaker. Hugh first served as an Infantryman in the Army with the 101st Airborne and later with an Infantry Division in Germany. After three years, he transferred to the Air Force where he served for 19 more years. Hugh has over 5,000 hours flying on the C-130 that included two tours in Vietnam including participating in the Tet offensive of 1968. After flying to 48 countries during the service in the Air Force, Hugh retired as a Master Sergeant as an Instructor Load Master for the C-130. Although now 89 years old, Hugh continues to serve in the Honor Guard and as a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and has now been married to his high school classmate Jean for a total of 69 years.

Women have long played an important role in the service of our country, and their role continues to expand today. Representing all the women who have served is Captain Vivian Loudy. Captain Loudy joined the military in 1986 following nursing school. She was commissioned a Lieutenant as she joined the 278th National Guard Unit. She later served in the 300th MASH Unit and the Combat Area Support Hospital Unit in Johnson City. Today, Captain Vivian Loudy is very active in military affairs as she serves in the Honor Guard, Associates of Vietnam veterans of America and is currently leading the local efforts to place a wreath on every veterans tombstone in December through the Wreaths Across America program.

Also invited to participate is Captain Rose Marlowe, an Army Nurse who served in Vietnam as well as Ms. Billie Nance, a lady who is very special to the Veterans of Campbell County. She recently donated a quilt to the Vietnam Veterans to support the raffle program to turn quilts into scholarships for our local Campbell County High School students.

Each of these distinguished veterans have not only a strong record of service to our country in the military but continue to serve our community in so many important roles today. Congratulations and thank you to each of the Grand Marshals.

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.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-11/03/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)