It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag, who serves under the Flag…
MCSTV would like to apologize in advance for missing or incomplete information in this brochure. As of our printing deadline (4-16-11) all information was accurate to the best of our knowledge.
MAY 11-16, 2011
MCDOWELL YMCA ATHLETIC FIELDS ON W. HENDERSON ST/SUGAR HILL RD MARION, NC
To bring a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall to our town has long been a dream for many McDowell County Veterans. We sincerely thank the community, businesses, churches and volunteers that labored tirelessly to make this celebration possible. It is our privilege to share this dream with the citizens of McDowell County. The Committee hopes that you will feel the emotions and the power the wall portrays for each of us. McDowell County Salute to Veterans Team Members
Randy Hollifield – Chairman Frank Dean – Co-Chairman Jerry Pritchard – Treasurer Landdis Hollifield – Secretary/Graphic Designer Chuck Abernathy Mike Ayers Bob Boyette Gerald Cable Oscar E. Creech, Jr. Sgt. James Davis Fred Dodge Terry Duncan Tom Gavle Lt. Rusty Jenkins Freddie Killough Alan Mainer Frank McGee Tim McPeters Ross Moore Lawrence Reel Robert Smith Lt. Scott Spratt Seth Stevens Rev. Dan Thornton Dan Toney Willis Vance Frank Williams Terry Young
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For each $100 tax-‐deductible donation individuals will receive a brick that will be placed in the McDowell County Salute to Veterans Memorial Wall.
Rank/Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Branch of Service: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Service Yrs./Conflict: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Each line can only have 18 characters; this includes spaces and symbols. Line 3 is to show the war/conflict the veteran was involved in or the term of service if not involved in armed conflict. If brick is in honor of a veteran killed in action, please put KIA beside the war/conflict.
Person making purchase: Name: ______________________________________ Contact#: __________________________________
Mail To: Jerry Pritchard 1323 Dink Cannon Road Marion, NC 28752 Make Checks Payable To: McDowell County Salute to Veterans
Note: Put American Legion Post # 56 on the for line. 14
The McDowell County Salute to Veterans Celebration and display of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will last only In remembrance of this grand event an a few days. everlasting memorial for all Veterans is planned. It will be a Salute to Veterans “Granite” Brick Wall. freestanding The wall will be built near the entrance of the Senior Citizens Center. Each brick will be inscribed with a veteran’s name, rank, branch of service, conflict involvement or other pertinent information. All honorably discharged veterans and current service members are eligible to participate. (veterans do not have to be from McDowell County) Examples of Veterans Bricks will be on display during the MCSTV Celebration. Forms to make a brick purchase will also be available during the celebration. All bricks that will be incorporated into phase I of the wall need to b e purchased by May 31, 2011. After this date anyone interested in purchasing a brick may contact American Legion Post #56 Commander Alan Mainer at 828-‐ 317-‐9518.
The Wall was established by the nonprofit charitable organization, “Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc”. on April 27, 1979 by Jan C. Scruggs. The group wanted Vietnam Veterans to have a tangible symbol of recognition from the American people. By separating the issue of service of the individual Man/Woman from the issue of U.S. Policy in Vietnam, the memorial fund hoped to begin a process of national reconciliation. U.S. Senators Charles McCurdy Mathias, Jr. and John W. Warner were the first significant supporters of the memorial. Senator Mathias was the first to launch a fundraising campaign. After seeing the overwhelming support the group received Congress authorized 3-acres of land in the Constitution Gardens for the memorial. Shortly thereafter the Memorial Fund announced a design competition open to all natural born citizens over the age of 18. By March 15, 1981, over 1,400 design entries had been submitted. Among them one entry stuck out from all the rest, Maya Ying Lin’s entry. Her design idea was to create a park within a park - a quiet protected place unto itself that was harmonious. She envisioned black granite, mirror-like walls that reflected the beauty of the trees and plants around the area. Along with Lin’s wall the memorial would also feature statues and a flag staff. Artist Fredrick Hart’s statue of “Three Vietnam Servicemen” was chosen by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for the memorial. Construction started on the wall March 26, 1982, completed October 12, 1982 and dedicated November 13, 1982. Hart’s statue was added in 1984 and 9-years later a memorial was erected for the women who served in Vietnam. In 2000 congress authorized a plaque honoring post-war casualties of Vietnam whose names were ineligible for inscription on The Wall. The wall currently contains over 50,000 names of those lost in combat.
1. The most common names on the wall are Smith (667), Johnson (524), Williams(432),Brown(413), Jones(346). 2. 263 servicemen were killed in Vietnam had the same first and last name. 3. Most viewed duplicate name - Billie Joe Williams. It is repeated side by side on panels (1w,94) and an additional Billy Joe Williams at (11w,119). 4. Arthur John Rambo (16w,126) same name as the movie character in the movie First Blood. 5. 7,484 Female nurses served in Vietnam, 8 were killed. 6. 36 Veteran’s first and middle names were “John Wayne”. 7. 997 were killed on the first day in country compared to 1443 killed their last day. 8. Most casualties in one day 245, Jan 31, 1968, most deadly month May, 1968 (2,415 Casualties). 9. 730 names on the wall were killed in Laos, 520 in Cambodia, 178 in Thailand. 10. 226 Native American died in Vietnam. 11. 56 Canadians lost their live defending American values. 12. 38 sets of brothers and 3 sets of father and sons are on the wall. 13. The youngest casualty was Dan Bullock(23w,96) who was a 15 year old Marine. 14. The oldest casualty- Frank Huddleston(16E,109) who was a 68 year old member of the US Army. 15. Vietnam had 214 Metal of Honor recipients with 150 of them on the Wall. 16. 1ST battlefield causality- SP4 James T. Davis (1E, 004) December 22, 1961. 17. Black granite used to construct the wall was imported from India. 18. Over 1600 Names are from North Carolina. 19. Last to die in Vietnam, G.L. Hall, J.H. Hargrove, D.G. Marshall (Marines), May 15, 1975 (1w-130-131). 20. 2-Million visit the wall each year. Most visited in D.C.
Condrey Plumbing, Heating and A.C. David’s Buildings Foothills Supply Auction Hampton Inn of Marion, NC Hidden Cove Nursery Hill Evans, PA Jay Marino-‐ Pinnacle Landscapes Jim Cook ‘s Chevrolet, Buick, GMC Joppa Lodge #401, A.F. & A.M. Old Fort, NC Killough’s Music Lowes Home Improvement of Marion, NC Marion City Club Marion Credit Company Marion Fire Department Marion Moose Family Center #1705 Marion Police Department McDowell County Government McDowell Chamber of Commerce McDowell Senior Citizens Center McDowell Trails Association Mitchell Painting Morris Heating and Cooling Rolling Thunder Route 70 Cruisers Steve Jones Sells Homes The “Y” Staff Tilson Machine, Inc. Veterans Services Walmart -‐Marion Westmoreland Funeral Home Woodmen of the World WNC Chapter Military Officers Association of America INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS Larry and Marilyn Evans David Ricketts and Sherron Crawford Representative Mitch & Barbara Gillespie Ned Hensley
CHURCH SPONSORS Bethel Free Will Baptist Church Bethel Baptist Church Cornerstone Pentecostal Assembly Church Coxes Creek Free Will Baptist Church Cross Memorial Baptist Church Cross Mill Pentecostal Assembly Church Fairview Free Will Baptist Church Faith Missionary Baptist Church First Baptist Church of Nebo Glenwood Baptist Church Greenlee Baptist Church Harvest Time Baptist Church Hicks Chapel Baptist Church Liberty Free Will Baptist Church Marion Seventh-‐Day Adventist Church New Manna Baptist Church Old Fort First Baptist Church Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church Providence United Methodist Church Rocky Pass Free Will Baptist Church Roland’s Chapel Baptist Church Salem Free Will Baptist Church St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Sugar Hill Baptist Church Turkey Cove Baptist Church Vein Mountain Baptist Church Victory Temple Full Gospel Church Zion Hill Baptist Church BUSINESS AND OTHER SPONSORS Banner Greenhouses Baxter Healthcare Carolina West Shooting Club City Of Marion CJ’s Convenience Stores
WHEREAS, America is land of the free and home of the brave; and,
WHEREAS, American men and women, devoted to liberty and freedom have unflinchingly answered their nations call to arms, and, to fight in the air, on the land and on the sea, thousands of miles from home enforcing our founding fathers’ vision; and,
WHEREAS, we still believe today that the blessing of liberty, freedom and justice require constant vigilance, determination, and sacrifice; and,
WHEREAS, every man, woman and child in our great nation owes a debt of gratitude to those who served their country so unselfishly, and WHEREAS, these brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsman were the sons and daughters of our land; and,
WHEREAS, McDowell County answered the call and 140 of the brave who made the supreme sacrifice, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, so we can continue to live free.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the county of McDowell, the City of Marion, and the Town of Old Fort, in the great State of North Carolina do jointly declare the week of May 9-15, 2011 “McDowell County Salute to Veterans Week and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT all are asked to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices of those men and women, who placed their lives in harm’s way, preserving American values and protecting democracy for the world, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the observance of “McDowell County Salute to Veterans” week appropriately pays honor and expresses gratitude to all those that has ever worn a uniform of any of our great military services and gave so much to the world and our great nation.
TUESDAY, MAY 10 THE WALL ARRIVES IN MCDOWELL COUNTY The American Veterans Traveling Tribute will enter North Carolina via I-‐77 (Rock Hill, S.C.). At or near the state line the AVTT will be met by an escort of motorcycles from throughout Central and Western N.C. and Upstate S.C. Organizations include Rolling Thunder, Patriot Riders, Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club and others. The Wall will be escorted North on I-‐77 and west on I-‐40 to the Hampton Inn in Marion, N.C. Approximately 200 riders will participate. The escort will start at the state line at approximately noon and arrive at t he Hampton Inn at around 2 p.m. Ross Moore and Seth “Graywolf” Stevens organized the escort. WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 WELCOME “THE WALL” TO MCDOWELL (HAMPTON INN TO MHS) ill depart from the Hampton Inn at approximately 9 a.m. enroute The Wall w to McDowell High School, via The Marion Bypass. It will be escorted by local clubs and will enter through the West Entrance of McDowell High motorcycle School. MCDOWELL HIGH SCHOOL CEREMONY MHS will conduct a patriotic “Welcome to McDowell Ceremony” for The Wall at 10 a.m. at the School Football Field. Superintendent, Dr. Ira Trollinger, NJROTC C adets, the high school band and many other high school students will conduct the welcoming ceremony. MOTORCADE Following the school ceremony The Wall will exit the school property via the east entrance at Bojangles and will then be escorted by a motorcade of police, motorcycles, vintage autos, military vehicles and others. The motorcade will travel South on Main Street to the center of downtown Marion and stop on Main Street between Court Street and Henderson Street for a ceremony on the Courthouse Lawn. Participants in the motorcade include the Marion Police Department, Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, Route 70 Cruisers and the Local National Guard 1451st Transportation Company COURTHOUSE LAWN VETERAN’S MEMORIAL CEREMONY At 11:30 a .m. a Memorial Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony will be conducted at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Courthouse. The memorial service will be conducted by officials from the County, City of Marion, Town of Old Fort, Veterans services and many others. After the Memorial Service The Wall will be escorted to the YMCA Athletic field for set-‐up. The wall and other tributes will then be set-‐up between 1 p.m. and dusk.
Turner L. Robbins
Jerry William Gilliand
Warren A. Whitson
Jerry Lane Greene
James L. Shufford
Harold Dean Hollifield
Willie Simmons
John Edward McMahan
Charles S. Sinclair
Michael Edgar McPeters
Claude R. Sparks
Dwight Earl Mooney
James H. Swan
Dennis Michael Poteat
Albert Thomas
Charles J. Revis
Howard L. Walker
Hugh Edward Revis
Herbert E. Wall
Ronnie Lee Robertson
Samuel L. Washburn
Michael Dean Webb
Jabase Wilson
Bill Fred Williams, Jr.
Ernest E. Young Jr.
James Alex Jenkins
Harry Godfrey
Leo Gollie Grant
Edward F. Leonard
James Cecil Swann
Thomas Hoyle Long
Ray Douglas Ledford
George L. Mason
Lester Stanley Vess
Baline Watson
Geter Alfred Hensley
Dwight Edgar Mooney
James Davis Long William M. Chapman Guy K. Biggerstaff Floyd Bradley, Jr. William S. Greene, Jr. Donald Morgan Arnold Pitman Noel E. White
Joey Whitener
Levi White
Robert L. Gibson
John Junior Elliott
Melvin A. Carver
William Paul Riddle
Carroll W. Grant
Robert J Hensley
Baylis W. Harrison, Jr.
Everett D. Greene
Doctor Thomas Norman
Arthur James Harvey
Garland A. Greene
Samuel E. Pyatt
Benjamin Leroy Long Hobbs Warren Gregory
James R. Hobbs
William H. Allison
Edward C. Hicks
Harold E Anderson
Lester J. Hogan
Elmore R. Arrowood
Claude J. Hunter
John A. Bradley
Bascom M. Isenhour
Neal Duval
J.D. Bradley
William S. Johnson
Malachia Kelsey Hoppes
Fred L. Byrd
William J. Kincaid
Will Suttles
Hoyt B. Carpenter
Pat A. Kirksey
John A. Carr
Charles G. Lewis
Richard C. Carter
Creel M. Little
Fred Davis
Howard D. Loftis
Paul L. Davis
Charles C. Lytle
Clifford C. Day Jr.
Albert A. Manick
John B. Ballew
Dewey W. Dixon
George L Mashburn
James Dennie Berry
Neal Byrd
Charles A. Mason
Perry Cook
John McCormick
Charles Bruce Minish
Maxwell M. Corpening, Jr.
Clarence V. Morgan
Charlie R. Baker
John Kirby Davis
Harrison B. Mull
Alonzo W illiam Bolick
Landon Flaming
Clyde B. Nesbitt
Harry Dale Bristol
Harry R. Gause
Delos A. Padgett
Raymond Cuthbertson
Edgar L. Coggins
Parks Morris Millard Tate
Elbert Carr
William S. Hyatt
Allen Edgar Arthur
Juel Furman Browning
John Franklin England
Clinton Jenkins
Roy L. Parker
Alvin Woody Finley
Thomas E. Duncan
William C. Parkins
Lewis Guy Flack
Earl Eller, Jr.
Clifton Perkins
Benjamin J. Hammett
Roy Ellington
Horace Paul Lytle
Hubert J. Plemmons
William A. Evans
Hal Thomas Payne
Bruce Brown Poteat
Virgil C. Freeman
Guy Edward Walker
Eugene M. Raby
James E. Freshour
Luther L. Riddle
After the Memorial Service The Wall will be escorted to the YMCA Athletic field for set-‐up. The wall and other tributes will then be set-‐up between 1 p.m. and dusk. THURSDAY, MAY 12 MCSTVC OPENS 10 a.m. -‐ Posting of Colors (American Legion Post #56) -‐ Invocation-‐ Pastor Doug Worley (Nebo First Baptist Church) -‐ MCSTVC will be open for public visitation and school groups will visit the event during the day. 8 p.m. -‐ Retiring of Colors (National Guard 1451st Transportation Company) -‐ Benediction-‐ Pastor Alan Sailors (Rocky Pass Free Will Baptist Church) *Local 1451st National Guard Unit Transportation Company will provide all after hours security for “The Wall”. The public is welcome to visit “The Wall” 24 hours a day. FRIDAY, MAY 13 MCSTVC OPENS 8 a.m. -‐ Posting of Colors (MHS NJROTC) -‐ Invocation-‐ Pastor Jerry Lewis (Grace Community Church) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. -‐ Event open to Public and School Groups 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. -‐ Foothills Community Band to Perform -‐ Honor and recognize those that serve and protect our community (Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, EMS). 8 p.m. – Retiring of Colors (McDowell County Scout Troops) – Benediction-‐ Pastor Charles Hughes (Bethlehem Baptist Church) SATURDAY, MAY 14 GRAND OPENING 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. -‐ The MCSTVC Grand Opening Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Scheduled on the program will be several elected officials from both state and national level. -‐ Invocation-‐ Reverend George Hutchins (Lt. Colonel Chaplain (Retired)) -‐ Local talent, MHS NJROTC, MHS Band and local National Guard Company #1451 will take part in the opening ceremony -‐ Jack Devine , Vice President of Vietnam Veterans of American will give the keynote address. -‐ Calling of the Names -‐ McDowell County Veterans Killed in Vietnam and Middle East Noon
SATURDAY CONTINUED… -‐ Families of those killed in action will be recognized. -‐ There will be a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the end of this ceremony. -‐ Benediction-‐ Capt. Richard Anderson (retired chaplain) NOON – There will be a flyover by local plane enthusiast.
1 p.m. -‐ Calling of the Names -‐ McDowell County Veterans Killed in WWI, WWII, and Korea Families of the above are invited to participate 2 p.m. -‐ An all veterans reunion/reception will be held at the Senior Citizens Center. The reception is open to anyone that has ever served in the military. It will be a casual come as you are event. To preregister, call 652-‐7121, ext. 354 (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) 4 p.m. to Dusk -‐ Local groups, soloist, school groups will be on stage entertaining visitors. 8 p.m. -‐ Retiring of Colors (Arrowhead VFW Post #4208) -‐ Benediction-‐ Pastor Jim Brewer (Glenwood Baptist)
-‐ -‐
AFTERNOON & EVENING ACTIVITIES
2:30 p.m. – Reggie Saddler and Family (On Stage) 3:30 p.m. Kington (God and Country Speaker) -‐ Randy 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. -‐ Terry McKinney and Friends (On Stage) -‐ Other Local talent 8 p.m. -‐ Retiring of Colors (American Legion Post # 56) -‐ Benediction-‐ Pastor Kent Smith (First Methodist Church)
8 a.m. -‐ Posting of Colors (American Legion Post #56) -‐ Invocation-‐ Pastor Harold Webb (Liberty Free Will Baptist Church) -‐ Event open for public and school group visits. 5 p.m. -‐ Retiring of Colors (McDowell County Salute to Veterans Team Members) -‐ Benediction-‐ Pastor Dan Thornton (Old Fort Presbyterian Church)
Posting of Colors (Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club) Invocation-‐ Pastor Steve Hawkins
SUNDAY, MAY 15 REJOICE AT THE WALL 10 A.M.
MONDAY, MAY 16
Note: Pastor’s of local churches will be on site to serve as Chaplains/Councilors during normal visitation hours. A complete list of the pastors was not available before printing deadline.