Honor Glory & Pride
Remember those who served. All gave some. Some gave all.
FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018
A Supplement of the Elizabethton Star
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In Memory Of
R.L. WHITE
…and all the others who have served our country!
Discount Automotive Paint and Supply 423-542-6624
Brian Fraley is pictured while on duty in Iraq. Fraley was part of an infantry unit which oversaw convoy security, did patrols in Western Iraqi cities, and helped train the Iraqi Army. He is now employed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Brian Fraley: Service in Marines made him grateful for America, freedom BY ROZELLA HARDIN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com
We are the Land of the Free We are home or the Brave Let’s pay tribute To our brave American Heroes On this day and forever
Happy Independence Day!
Brian Fraley served with the U.S. Marines as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Altogether, he served in the Marines about 10 years.
Brian Fraley knew when he was in middle school, he wanted to be a U.S. Marine. “I had friends that were serving or had served in the military, and that had impressed me. Lawrence Berry, who was a close friend of my family, had three sons who were in the military, and they influenced me a lot,” Brian recalls. That interest continued to grow, and when Fraley was a junior in high school, he joined the Marines on the Delayed Entry Program. In 1990 after graduating from high school, he was off to boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. His tour of duty took him to Camp LeJeune, N.C., and to Honduras, where he worked with the Navy Seabees and helped train Honduran Marines. He came home, thinking his time with the military was over, but when 9-11 occurred, Fraley, so moved by the attack, volunteered for another tour of duty. “The invasion of Iraq was in 2003, and our troops were being activated, and I wanted to go. I had to go,” he said. Fraley re-enlisted with the Marines as part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Division out of Johnson City, which was an infantry unit. And, Iraq was in his vision. Once in Iraq, Fraley and his company had three separate missions. “We provided convoy security for trucks which brought in supplies and delivered them to the various locations in that part of the country. We were based out of Al Asad, which was near the towns of Hit and Baghdadi in Western Iraq. We also did patrols in other cities and towns of Western Iraq. Our third mission was QRF (Quick Reaction Force) in which we trained the Iraqi Army,” Fraley explained. n See FRALEY, 12
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SrA. Kendall Wash receives Airman of the Year honors FROM STAFF REPORTS
SrA. Kendall P. Wash has been selected as the 2017 Airman of the Year of the 422nd Security Force Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF), Croughton, England. RAF Croughton is responsible for providing United States Air Forces in Europe —Air Forces Africa (USAFE) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) combat communications support and global strike operations. The 422nd Security Force Squadron provides ground force security and is responsible for protecting and defending personnel and mission resources to facilitate intelligence operations, weapon system communications, and global strike capabilities. SrA. Wash excelled in his responsibilities by protecting his assigned areas from threat intrusion and sabotage. His efforts ensured the highest unit capability to detect and respond to potential ground threats. SrA. Wash consistently displayed a high state of vigilance and preparedness to perform sustained security operations in providing security for priority operational resources. The outstanding performance of his day-to-day duties set SrA. Wash ahead of his peers. His professionalism and dedication to duty resulted in his selection as the 422 Security Force Squadron Airman of the Year for 2017. SrA. Wash is a 2009 graduate of Elizabethton High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Milligan College, where he was a member of the Buffaloes basketball team. He is the son of James and Elaine Wash of Elizabethton.
Contributed Photo
SrA. Kendall Wash, at right, was selected as the 2017 Airman of the Year of the 422nd Security Force Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF), Croughton, England.
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Rusty Crowe, who served in Vietnam, displays photographs and other memorabilia of the veterans in his family.
Crowe family has a legacy of service to country BY ABBY MORRIS-FRYE STAR STAFF abby.frye@elizabethton.com
For the family of Rusty Crowe, service to country was a way of life. The Crowe family from Stoney Creek has a long-standing history of serving in the nation’s armed forces. “I know we have some that served in the Revolutionary War, but I’ve not been able to find them,” Rusty said. Rusty’s father John Crowe, and his uncle Dewey Crowe, whom Rusty was named after, both served in World War II. When WWII broke out, John and Dewey were working at Beaunit as a means to pay their way through college — John at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Dewey at Georgia Tech. The brothers were both studying engineering. “They would work a semester at the plant and then go to school a semester,” Rusty said. “When the war broke out, they signed up pretty quickly.” The brothers joined the Army Air Corps, and both became pilots. “Dad was a B24 bomber pilot,” Rusty said. “Dad flew 31 missions over Europe and flew on D-Day.” John and his crew survived a harrowing experience that nearly turned fatal for everyone on the plane. During one of their missions, John’s aircraft was almost involved in a mid-air collision with another plane during a firefight in the skies. Another plane in his unit had banked to take on an enemy plane, and was hit. Rusty said when his dad would recall the story, he said the hairs on his neck stood up and he just knew something was wrong. “He dove his plane and saved them all,”
P R O U D LY S E R V I N G T H E
AND
SINCE 1934
Rusty Crowe is shown here in his military portrait from Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Rusty said, adding the hit plane passed over his father’s plane during the dive. “The turret gunner said he felt the other plane scrape them. He got the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for that.” On the other side of the world, John’s brother Dewey was not so lucky. “He flew a P-38, it was called The Lightning,” Rusty said. Dewey went Missing In Action in September of 1942 while flying a mission over Kiska Island. Kiska Island is part of the Aleutian Islands, which was part of the Alaska Territory during WWII. Japanese forces occupied n See CROWE, 9
John Crowe is shown here in a photograph from World War II. John flew a B24 bomber.
Dewey Crowe is shown here in a photograph taken of him in his plane in 1942. Dewey went missing in action while flying a mission over Kiska Island.
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City Council issued a proclamation during June’s meeting to recognize McKinney’s accomplishments and show support for renaming the bridge on Mary Patton Highway in his honor.
Roy McKinney remained active following military career in county affairs BY CURTIS CARDEN STAR STAFF curtis.carden@elizabethton.com
Roy McKinney’s service didn’t end following his time in the U.S. Army Air Corps. McKinney, who passed away in 2008, was recently recognized during an Elizabethton City Council meeting as officials issued their support to have a bridge renamed in his honor on Mary Patton Highway. While the proclamation and city offered support, the name change would receive any traction until the Tennessee General Assembly resumes their work in January. Recognized as Carter County’s most decorated WWII veteran, McKinney didn’t stop his service to the public following his time overseas. It was an attitude of public service that carried over from his service in the military. McKinney served as the past commander of the VFW Post 2166, a member of the Elks Club and a lifelong member of the American Legion. McKinney continued to support his military brethren by serving as a volunteer with Mountain Home VA in Johnson City. Within his hometown community, McKinney served as an active member of the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club and held the post of Carter County Court Clerk for 28 years. That community service attitude was an aspect Danny Smith took to heart. Smith, of Physical Therapy Services of Elizabethton, is no stranger to remaining active in Elizabethton organizational activities. Smith served on the Board of Education and still works alongside various community groups, like Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition, to give back to the public. McKinney’s example of selflessness was something Smith remembers fondly. McKinney is Smith’s father-in-law. When discussing McKinney, Smith recalled the time that his father-in-law helped him during the Board of Education race and mentioned that McKinney’s activity in the
Roy McKinney
community is something he still carries to this day. Following City Council’s decision to show support to have the bridge renamed in Elizabethton, Smith said it was great to see the community show support for McKinney. “Just reading through his history, his accomplishments ... it’s definitely great to see the support,” Smith said. “My grandchildren will be able to know what he’s done and be proud of Roy J. McKinney.” While several community members have been able to remember McKinney fondly for his work at home, accolades for his service abroad are nearly as long as the list of activity locally. During the issuance of the proclamation, read by City Attorney Roger Day, attendees were taken back in time and were able to learn more about the heroic efforts of McKinney, who passed away in 2008, during his time serving with the United States Army Air Corps. According to information provided by the city, McKinney flew 83 combat missions, totalling 1,700 combat n See MCKINNEY, 8
Joining Navy led to a “We are free because renewal of faith for Odom they have cared more about our liberty and freedom than they did even their own lives.” BY ABBY MORRIS-FRYE STAR STAFF abby.frye@elizabethton.com
Senator Rusty Crowe
In the dark of night, a young woman aboard a Navy ship sailing the Pacific Ocean called out to God, and He answered her. While Angie Odom joined the military to run away from troubles in her life, she soon learned you can never truly run away, and that God always has a plan for you. Odom credits her time in the military for renewing her faith in God and preparing her for the mission He would later call her to create. At the age of 18, Odom joined the U.S. Navy. “I joined in high school,” she said. “I left right after graduation in 1988.” While many join the military out of a desire to serve others or their country, for n See ODOM, 9
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye
Angie Odom feels her time serving in the United States Navy helped to prepare her for the ministry work God later called her to do.
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Fletcher’s Homemade provides quilt to local veteran BY CURTIS CARDEN STAR STAFF
curtis.carden@elizabethton.com
Stitched with love, an original piece created at Fletcher’s Homemade recently made its way to a Hampton veteran. Navy veteran Nova Woodrow “Woody” Whisenhunt, Jr., was joined by friends and family Sunday, June 17, as he was presented a patriotic quilt from Fletcher’s Homemade — a member of the Quilts of Valor sewing group. Lisa Fletcher, owner of Fletcher’s Homemade, is no stranger to Woody’s work in the community and knew a quilt would be the perfect way to give thanks. Fifteen volunteers provided a helping hand for the project, with representation coming from the Sycamore Stitchers Guild.
Happy 4th of July! Thank You For Your Service To Our Country
RANDALL
BIRCHFIELD
REAL ESTATE & AUCTION 501 East E Street • Elizabethton, TN 37643
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“A patriotic, handmande quilt is a simple but sincere token of gratitude for his service while in the Navy and his ongoing service to his community”
Thank you To all Those who have served our CounTry! Ken Wandell CLU, ChFC,Agent 1982 W Elk Avenue Elizabethton, TN 37643
Bus: 423-543-3031 www.kenwandell.com
—Lisa Fletcher
Owner of Fletcher’s Homemade
“He does so much for his community,” Fletcher said. “He’s an unsung. He helps out so many people without asking for anything in return.” The quilt was presented to Woody and his wife, Regina, after a Sunday service held at Rittertown Baptist Church. “Pastor Richard Stout and the congregation were happy to host the event. They generously provided a reception afterwards with a patriotic cake and refreshments,” Fletcher said. Woody’s accomplishments locally mirror his selfless acts during his service. Whisenhunt joined the Navy on July 19, 1963, and participated in military efforts in Cuba and special operations in North and South Pacific. Fletcher recalled some of Woody’s service, which at one point included the task of waiting in target zones to recover Russian missiles. “Much of his military work is still classified and top secret, but from what details he can share, we know that Mr. Whisenhunt served his country in difficult and dangerous situations,” Fletcher said. “A patriotic, handmade quilt is a simple but sincere token of gratitude for his service while in the Navy and his ongoing service to his community.” Fletcher’s Homemade has been part of the Quilts of Valor Foundation since January. The Foundation was started in 2003 and geared as a way for locals in a community to give back to local veterans. Fletcher’s Homemade, which is located at 510 East Elk Avenue in downtown Elizabethton, is one of a handful of QoV businesses in the state, Fletcher said. “This is a project I look to continue in the future,” she said. “To mail a quilt, it can be $45 or $50. With my longarm machine, I can finish all the work here.” n See QUILT, 8
Photo Contributed
Nova Woodrow “Woody” Whisenhunt, Jr. (center) was presented a quilt by Lisa Fletcher (right) during a ceremony hosted at Rittertown Baptist Church. The presentation was part of Fletcher’s association with the Quilts of Valor.
Thank You For Your Service And Dedication To Our Freedom We Are Proud To Serve You And Our Community
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Star Photo/Curtis Carden
Lisa Fletcher is the owner of Fletcher’s Homemade, located in downtown Elizabethton.
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Stoney Creek’s Tom McCloud is pictured with one of many fridges filled with his famous fruitcakes that he bakes daily. A veteran, McCloud served in the Army during the Korean War and was a POW in North Korean camps.
Stoney Creek’s McCloud recalls time as POW
BY BRYCE PHILLIPS STAR STAFF
bryce.phillips@elizabethton. com
Every day Stoney Creek’s Tom McCloud can be found in his home baking either his famous fruitcakes or peanut butter cookies. For roughly the past 60 years, the 86-year-old who has earned himself the name of “The Fruitcake Man” has honed his skills of baking while creating goodies that are created from family recipes that date back 150 years. However, years before McCloud started baking, he, as a young man, lived through what many actors and directors have tried their best to recreate in countless war movies. In September of 1949, wanting to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, McCloud, as a 17-year-old, enlisted in the United States Army. “I just wanted to join,” said McCloud. “I didn’t like school, so I joined. You had to weigh 115 pounds, and I think I weighed about 115 and a half.” When McCloud joined the Army, it was roughly nine months before the United States entered into the Korean War, a war that was fought on the Korean Peninsula and lasted three years and created the divide between North, backed then by China and Russia, and South Korea, supported by the United States. Before going overseas,
Tom McCloud is pictured with his family during his homecoming shortly after being rescued from North Korean POW camps.
McCloud spent time at both Fort Jackson in South Carolina and Fort Benning in Georgia, where he was meant to train as a scout and a sniper, training that he claims he never got. A year after joining the military, McCloud found himself in Korea in September of 1950. According to McCloud, he and his fellow soldiers were undertrained and had very little supplies and weaponry. “What we had was ate up with rust,” said McCloud. “Sometimes it would fire, sometimes it wouldn’t.” McCloud, who was ultimately captured, was injured three times before spending eight months in the North Korean prisoner of war camps. His first injury was the result of a mortar round exploding and leav-
ing a piece in his arm. His second injury happened when a bullet struck him in his left hand. As McCloud recalls it, his troop of roughly 38 or so soldiers was ambushed near the Chosin Reservoir by North Korean soldiers. “It seemed like a thousand North Korean troops jumped up in our face less than a thousand yards down,” recalled McCloud. “They had weeds tied all over their backs and everything. Before they jumped up, it looked like an empty, open field. We killed so many of them that they ran. “But not much farther up, there were thousands more,” McCloud added. “There were seven gold mines that they had ran back into.” According to McCloud, it
wasn’t long after the ordeal at the gold mines that, after moving positions and being attacked repeatedly, his group was finally captured. Leading up to the capture, McCloud said he was burned on the neck by napalm. After being captured, McCloud and his fellow soldiers were forced to march 56 days before arriving at a POW camp. During the grueling march, McCloud said he and his unit were only fed a handful of potatoes every other day. “Sometimes we’d go up to three days without anything,” said McCloud. “We would get maybe two, then go another two to three days without nothing.” The prisoners, who were wearing clothing meant n See MCCLOUD, 8
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
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Veteran Tom McCloud points out his family recipe for peanut butter cookies.
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Elizabethton’s Rick Walters is pictured with a group of Iraqi soldiers he helped train during his tour of service during Operation Iraqi Freedom with the National Guard.
Elizabethton’s Walters looks back on 24 years in National Guard BY BRYCE PHILLIPS STAR STAFF
lot of work in the community with programs such as its youth baseball league and Boys State, a program that allows high schoolers to participate in local, county and state government. The Eliza-
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For Elizabethton’s Rick Walters, his 24 years in the United States National Guard would result in lifelong friends and countless memories. Walters, who is originally from South Carolina, joined the Guard when he was 18 years old as he entered as an E1, which is a rank of private. Walters, however, didn’t wait long until he sought out a higher ranking. “I didn’t like not knowing what was going on, so a couple years after joining I joined the Officer Candidate School,” said Walters. “I received my commission as a second lieutenant.” Walters would be with his unit in Conway, S.C., for roughly eight years and during that same time Walters worked as a state trooper. The unit that Walters was a part of in South Carolina was an Armored Battalion, which while Walters was serving there, would be mobilized during the Gulf War and sent to California. From his post in South Carolina, Walters landed in Erwin, Tenn., where he was a part of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of which he was an executive officer. Walters eventually commanded a troop in Newport before making his way back to Erwin to command the troop there. It was during his time in Erwin that Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off in 2003 and Walters’ troop, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, would be mobilized and sent overseas to Iraq. While in Iraq, Walters served as an Information Operation Officer. Walters would also get the opportunity to go with tank platoons while in Iraq. “Being one of the only tankers on the post there in Iraq, I got to go out a lot with the tankers,” said Walters. “If they had someone sick or on leave and unable to go out that day, they would ask me to go out with them. A lot of those guys were from Erwin, so I was their commander anyway.” In the mornings, the tanks were used to go out and search for improvised explosive devices that may have been planted by insurgents along roadways overnight. The tanks were equipped with thermal sights that helped soldiers pinpoint where IEDs could have been placed underneath dirt roads. “If you are looking down
n See WALTERS, 8
Star Photo/Bryce Phillips
Elizabethotn’s Rick Walters is currently the commander at the American Legion Watauga Post No. 49. Walters served 24 years in the National Guard, a service that saw Walters do a tour in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in the 2000s.
a road where it is 110 degrees that day, the top of the ground would be really hot and underneath the ground would be a little cooler,” said Walters. “At night, the top of the ground would match the air temperature. But if you took a shovel and scraped across the surface that hot sand that was under the surface layer would light up in the thermal sights. From a half mile away, you could see that someone had dug in the dirt. We would be able to mark it and call for the guys to come blow up the IED.” Walters was in Iraq for a year, and during that time, Walters and his troop helped train Iraqi soldiers while also constructing structures in the area. From judges to electricians, Walters said
that the people he served with while in Iraq were from many different walks of life and with those many different skills were able to help out the locals in many different ways. Walters made friends with some of the local interpreters, with whom he is still in contact today. Walters is currently the commander of the American Legion Watauga Post No. 49 in Elizabethton and has been a part of the organization for five years now. “There is all kinds of veteran organizations, but American Legion was started by the U.S. Congress,” said Walters. “It is the reason we have the G.I. Bill. It is the reason that we have the benefits that we have.” American Legion does a
We honor all veterans for their service to our great country!
Carter County Board of eduCation For all that you are and all that you’ve given to our country, we salute you, veterans. Thank you for protecting our freedom at home & overseas. Your service and your sacrifice will always be remembered.
The Spirit of America
With gratitude, we honor America’s veterans and military personnel.
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Honoring those who gave it all for their country The Elizabethton Star would like to express our deepest thanks to all veterans. Your courage and dedication to our country is truly an inspiration. We at the Star would like to take this opportunity to remember especially those in our community who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this great nation. Listed below are the names of Carter County veterans who died in combat. The names of these heroes can be found engraved in marble in the War Memorial located in downtown. We would like to ask all of our readers to take a to think of these brave veterans and the families they left behind. World War I Charles H. Alberston; Lawrence F. Allen; Henry F. Angel; Fredrick Barlow; Hubert Barron; William S. Blevins; Samuel M. Bowers; Elbert Bowman; Charles E. Cook; John Dayton; Walter Deloach; James R. Geisler; Smith Grindstaff; Lawson J. Hamby; Walter H. Heaton; Roby Hendrix; Fred C. Hicks; Bernie Hilton; Claude Hopson; Edward ingram; John Ingram; Clarence Johnson; Charles S. Lacey; Orville E. Lewis; Walter Lyons; Joseph R. Main; George Markland; Bascom McKinney; Claude McKinney; Edward Miller; Will Miller; Milburn Moffitt; Jessee Nave; Blaine Perkins; Lee Pritchett; Clifton Roark; Charles F. Roe; Robert L. Scott; Fred Shatley; Cecil Smith; Stacy Smith; Blan S. Stout; R.C. Tucker; William M. Ward; Paul Williams; Rothsey E. Williams; Tyler Wilson; William E. Wilson; Daniel Wright; and Arthur Winters. World War II Clyde Adkins; Shona K. Aldridge; Grant E. Allen; Timothy Ahern; Clyde T. Angel; Allison A. Arrowood; Paul T. Barnett; Barney C. Bennett; John S. Birchfield; Conrad C. Bitzer; John S. Bowers; Samuel M. Bowers; Felix R. Brewer; Bascom Bryant; Herman Buchanan; James S. Buckles; Paul Burnett; Clay Byers; Junior R. Calloway; William V. Campbell; Clarence Carden; Paul B. Carter; Lloyd E. Carver; Charles W. Clamon; Brownlow A. Clawson; Cleve J. Clawson; James C. Coggins Jr.; Farrell R. Collins; Earle P. Cooke; Paul B. Crabree; Dewey E. Crowe; Cecil Culver; Stanley Curry; Kenneth W. Daivs; Robert C. Davis Jr; Robert L. Davis; Robert Deloach; William T. Deloach; William E. Denney; Robert C. Duff; William G. Dunn; Eldridge S. Edens; George S. Ellis; Thurman H. Estep; Charles B. Franklin; James Freeman; J.C. Gentry; Hughes W. Gobble; Karl F. Grindstaff; Ira J. Hardin; Howard R. Heaton; John E. Heaton; Leon Helton; Merlin B. Hicks; Robert H. Hilton; Edwin Hines; Rhudy L. Hinkle; Wesley J. Holden; Avery Hopson; Frank Hopson; Clifford B. Hyder; Olin Jacobs; Oden D. Johnson; Dillar L. Kerley; John P. Keys; Glen E. Huhn; Walter J. Lang; George E. Laws; John O. Lewis; Robinson Lewis; Albert E. Livingston; Howard E. Little; James B. Little; France E. Lothery; Harry C. Markland; Worley S. Markland; William O. McCloud; Lewis McKeehan;
Tommy E. McKeehan; David R. McQueen; Ira L. Meredith; Thoams R. Michael; Delmer D. Miles; Herman E. Milhorn; Avery R. Miller; David R. Miller; Herman Miller; Albert R. Moore; Joseph W. Morrell; James W. Munsey Jr.; Herschell L. Nave; Robert R. Norman; Glenn S. Oliver; James E. Peoples; Bruce W. Perry; Elwyn S. Perry; George W. Persinger; Alvin L. Pierce; Walter D. Pierce; Jack L. Pleasant; Warren C. Price; Leonard B. Pritchard; Robert F. Rainwater; Raymond F. Range; Clarence G. Roe; Martin E. Rosenbaum; William C. Runyan; John E. Russell; Walter M. Shields; Elmer J. Shull; Paul E. Shultz; Kale Simerly; Stewart R. Simerly; Broadway V. Sims; Edward B Sitterson; Jack A. Slagle; Ray R. Smith; Antie E. Souder; Lewis Starnes; Floyd Stout; Lonzie J. Stout; L.T. Stout; Eugene H. Street; Claude Swanner; Cameron C. Taylor; Fred Taylor; Hendrix C. Taylor; Jesse J. Taylor; Phil S. Taylor; Stokes M. Taylor; William J. Taylor; George W. Teneyck; Phillip Tolley; Roy Tolley; Roscoe D. Tomlinson; William L. Treadway Jr.; James Tummis; William A. Fance; Amon D. Wagner; William B. Wagner; Clarence W. Walker; Ernest E. Walker; James W. Walker; Lloyd Ward; Robert Watson; Ralph M. Wattenbarger; Paul E. White; Clyde Whitehead; Stewart Whitehead; T.W. Whitehead; William H. Whitson; Roy S. Williams; Tillman H. Williams; Mark P. Wilson; Allen Winters; and Justin C. Walsh. Korea Medon A. Bitzer; Bernie B. Britton; Razor J. Campbell; Roscoe C. Campbell; John E. Carver; Mathey G. Cole; Paul Emmert Jr.; Ray m. Guess; Hames R. Hollfield; Earl Lewis; Paul E. Little; Joe P. McKeehan; William C. Nidiffer; Billy B. Norris; Raymond Pierce; Enoch Porter; Joe D. Simerly; Grady Stanley; Robert M. Trivett; Noah H. Tyree Jr. Vietnam John P. Avery; James D. Bowers; James W. Bowman; James m. Cornett; James D. Dugger Jr.; Billy J. Ellis; Charles E. Fulton; James C. Gilbert; William L. Greenwell; Tony L. Griffith; Freddie R. Guinn; Floyd S. Harmon; John P. Isaacs; Arnold B. Jackson; Dale A. Johnson; Herbert A. Kehrli; Larry J. Lyons; James H. Markland; Gary D. Murray; Michael P. Oliver; Herman H. Payne; Elbert F. Price Jr.; Robert L. Shaffer; Sam E. Stout; Clifford M. Taylor; Thomas C. Treadway; William J. Williams; Harold W. Wilson; Roy H. Wilson; Allen L. Winters. Desert Storm Daniel E. Graybeal Enduring Freedom Afghanistan Jefferson D. Davis Iraq J. Trane McCloud; Stephen R. Maddies
WALTERS n Continued from 7
bethton American Legion recently started sponsoring the Jr. ROTC programs at the high schools in Carter County. “We bought all of the uniforms for them,” said Walters. “They have two platoons. About 30 kids in each platoon. We are really happy to start that here.” The American Legion also has an Honor Guard that helps at veteran funerals. “We are looking for new members of the Honor Guard,” said Walters. “If you have prior service and still fit in your uniform and would like to help us
MCCLOUD n Continued from 6
for summer weather, would have to sleep out in the snow at night, said McCloud.
MCKINNEY n Continued from 4
Honoring Our Brave Soldiers 135 W. Elk Avenue Elizabethton, TN 423-543-3393
hours while serving as a bombardier navigator for the U.S. Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force, 391st Bomber Group – the “Black Death” Marauder Group. Recalling McKinney’s feats, the county native sank two German submarines on
Contributed Photo
Elizabethton’s Rick Walters gives a young child an orange Gatorade during his tour of duty in Iraq.
Carter County, a league that started back up four years ago.
at military funerals, events, and parades, we would love to have you.”
Walters is also the president of the American Baseball League in
“No mats, not anything to sleep on,” said McCloud. “We had nothing to cover up with.” The soldiers at one point planned an escape, but their attempts would be thwarted an hour before making the
escape, prompting North Korean soldiers to torture the American soldiers for additional information about the plan. McCloud was later rescued. Entering the Army at 115 pounds, McCloud
returned home weighing only 70 pounds and had be hospitalized due to starvation. Decades later, McCloud now stays busy baking and reading his Bible daily at his home in Stoney Creek.
May 10, 1944, in one day, a feat never accomplished by a bombardier in training. Just a few months later, McKinney was awarded the Silver Star on Nov. 6, 1944, in France for “his gallantry in action during a particularly harrowing bombing mission in that despite being wounded in his arm and leg, he persevered to accurately deliver his pay-
load, destroying the crucial Maison LaFitte Railroad Bridge,” according to the proclamation. Other accolades earned by McKinney include the Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 12 clusters, Silver and Bronze, the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the American Defense Service Victory Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, a Dis-
tinguished United Citation, the Good Conduct Medal, the ETO Theatre Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters for being wounded in battle three times. McKinney was also the only man in the Army Air Corps to receive the British Flying Cross, which he received in Washington, D.C.
QUILT n Continued from 5
The recent quilt was funded 100 percent by Fletcher and added that community support can help the project’s longevity moving forward. “I don’t mind that one bit, but I can’t do that all the time,” Fletcher said about the donations. “All donations are tax deductible.” To learn more about the business, visit fletchershomemade@gmail.com or their office.
Photo Contributed
Woody’s quilt receives some TLC inside Fletcher’s Homemade.
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ODOM n Continued from 4
Odom the reasons were more personal. When she was 16, her father, who had been a preacher, died, leaving an empty place in her life. “I went through a phase where I was upset, and I was angry at God over my dad’s death,” Odom said. “I didn’t get into drinking or drugs, but I was making choices in my life that were not the right choices.” “There were some other major happenings going on in my life that I was upset about and I couldn’t deal with them on my own,” she continued. “I just wanted to run from the hurt that was around me, so I attempted to do that.” Odom thought leaving her home in Carter County would allow her to get away from the pain she was experiencing, and she believed that joining the Navy would let her get very far away from home. “Just like Jonah in the Bible, I tried to run away from God,” Odom said. “But instead of ending up inside the belly of a whale, I ended up in the belly of a Navy ship.” When she arrived at boot camp, Odom said she experienced a culture shock. Having lived her whole life in a small town, she wasn’t prepared for all of the different people or situations she would encounter. While she needed some time to adjust, Odom said she enjoyed her time at boot camp. “I loved boot camp, especially the physical part of it,” Odom said. “We did everything our Brother Company did. A lot of people think if you are a woman you don’t do everything the guys do, but we did.” There was one area though where Odom said she had some difficulty during her time in boot camp. “The only thing I really struggled with was saying ‘okay’ instead of ‘Yes, sir,’ or ‘Yes ma’am,” Odom said with a laugh. “I did a whole lot of sit ups and push ups over that word.” When Odom originally signed on it was with the hopes of joining the Navy Band. She had been a member of the band in high school and enjoyed music. “After I got there, they told me someone has to basically die or retire for a spot to come
Angie Odom is shown here at the age of 18 in her official Navy portrait.
Contributed Photo/Angie Odom
Angie Odom, center, is shown here with some of the individuals she served with in the Navy.
open in the band,” Odom said, adding she decided to try to wait it out and hope that a spot would become available. In the meantime, Odom was assigned to the Deck Division and served aboard the U.S.S. Cape Cod in the West Pac Fleet. “When you are on the Deck Division you do all the hard labor on the outside of the ship,” Odom explained. “You painted the ship, you sanded the rust off the anchor chains, you did a lot of scrubbing the deck, and you stood all the watches.” Standing watch in the daytime was enjoyable, Odom said. “It’s absolutely the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen in your life when you are out in the middle of the ocean, and you see these 30 and 40 foot swells, and the
bow of the ship drops down into it and all the colors of the rainbow fly up in the spray,” Odom said. However, not every watch post was enjoyable. “The thing I hated the most was Aft Watch,” Odom said. “I was tied to a pole. I had a life jacket on with a hook on the back, and they tie you to a pole. They tie you just enough so you will dangle just above the water if you fall.” One of the reasons for the safety line, Odom said, is because the Aft Watch position was isolated on the ship and no one was around to see if the person on watch fell. Also, Odom said, standing watch at night was a different experience than standing a daytime watch, particularly on Aft Watch from midnight until 4 a.m.
CROWE n Continued from 3
Kiska and nearby Attu Island during the Aleutian Island Campaign of the American Theater of the war. During one of the missions, Dewey’s plane was struck by another American plane over Kiska. “They collided and went under the ice,” Rusty said. “My granddad never gave up, and he died when he was 90, that Dewey would come home some day. He’s still missing in action.” When the time came for Rusty to serve, the Vietnam War was raging. “I signed up in 1968,” Rusty recalled. “I turned 21 over there.” Crowe joined the U.S. John William Crowe joined the Union Army during the Army and after training at Civil War and served in the 13th Tennessee Volunteer Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Cavalry. His brother Chris Crowe joined the Confederate Army. was sent to Vietnam. “I intercepted coded and uncle, he said his work Rusty’s father and uncle messages from the enemy,” intercepting codes sometimes were military inspirations for Rusty said. “My job was to him, and it was their part in find out what the Viet Cong, gave a nod to their service. “Part of my job was tryservice that led him to join the Burmese Guerillas, and ing to find pilots who had up himself. “But I didn’t get the Laotian Guerillas were gone down and get our guys the medals they did,” he said. doing.” to them before the enemy got John and Dewey Crowe While Rusty would not were not the only brothers in become a pilot like his father to them,” Rusty said.
“It’s pretty dark and scary,” Odom said. “There are no lights out there, only the moon and stars, and that’s if it’s a clear night. It is so silent. You really start thinking pretty hard in the dark and quiet.” It was on one of those late night Aft Watches that Odom said she once again found her faith and recommitted her life to God. “I was questioning God. Why did you allow my Dad to die? Why did you allow these bad things to happen to me? If you love us, why do you let these bad things happen,” Odom said. “I think that was the most alone I’ve ever felt in my whole life. As I sat there, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me ‘I’m still here. I am watching over you.’” “I remember looking up and saying ‘I don’t want you watching over me,’” she continued. “It was like as soon as those words came out of my mouth, in that instant I felt God’s presence comforting me. God reminded me that He had never left me, it was me that was running away.” In the middle of the night, tied to a pole and sailing through foreign waters, Odom said she began pouring her heart out to God, seeking His forgiveness and guidance. And, she said, God answered. While her faith had been restored and she was finding strength in her renewed relationship with God, there were still troubles ahead in Odom’s life. While in the Navy, Odom met and later married her first husband. But, that marriage would end in divorce after her husband became violent and addicted to drugs. Odom eventually fled the marriage to save her life and the life of her young daughter. After returning home to Carter County, Odom once again felt the call of God in her heart, this time to create a ministry to serve women who had gone through similar circumstances. Odom said she believes God used her experiences in the Navy along with what she experienced in her first marriage to prepare her for the work He was calling her to do. “I do believe that God can do more with someone who has been broken than with someone who has not, because if you have never been broken then you only understand what it’s like to be whole,” Odom said. the family to find themselves fighting in the same war. However, another pair of brothers found themselves in the same war, but on opposite sides. Rusty’s great-greatgreat-grandfather John William Crowe, who was part Cherokee and part Yuchi, fought in the Union Army during the Civil War as part of the 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry. John William’s brother Chrisler, who was called Chris, Crowe fought for the Confederate Army. Chris died in a battle in Blountville and after the fighting was over, John William found his brother’s body on the field. “My grandfather told the story that John found his brother there dead in the field, rolled him over, then tossed a silver dollar to a man standing nearby and said ‘Bury the SOB,’” Rusty said. “I never really believed that story, but one day I was in a book store and I picked up a local history book and it had that story in it, about my family.”
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This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis Frank Newman Special Forces 1967-1968
Salute to you all, especially those on the wall.
Harold R. Street SP.4 US Army Served - 3 Years
Richard Harlow Street US Army Served 2 Years
Wonderful husband, father and grandfather. We love you. Lula Belle Street, Joe, Jan, Jill, & families
In Memory Of
Charles M. Whitehead US Army - 2 Years
Harold served 3 years in the US Army with 1 of these in Korea. He was a surveyor.
We love and miss you more than words can express. Thank you for your service and sacrifice for our America’s Freedom. Love, Hannah Whitehead & Family
Stanley Allen Bowers
Jack Garrison
US Army Served 2 Years
Thank you for the service you so gladly gave to our country. Love and miss you more everyday. Wife
Clara June Miller Pender Air Force Served 4 Years
Thank you for your service. Love, Judy
US Army Served 9 Years
We are so proud of your service. We love and miss you very much. Danny, Terry, Jackie, David and Family
Ford Miller Army Served - 4 Years
Thank you for your service. Miss you, Judy
James Jerry Smith US Army Served 2 Years
We are so proud of you for your service in Vietnam. Thank you for your sacrifice for our country’s freedom. The Smith Family
Keith H. Grindstaff USMC Served 8 Years
Terry D. Whitehead Navy Served 4 Years
Navy Served 3 Years
US Army Served 2 Years
We love you and miss you more than words can express. Thank you for your service & sacrifice for our country’s freedom. Your family (Wife Beulah)
Earl Walton
LTC Steven L. Crowe
Larry William Tipton
US Army Served 4 Years
I love you and miss you dad. See you in Heaven one day soon. Love your son, James Walton
US Army Served 21 Years
To my special son, my hero. Thank you for serving our country. We love you. Mama & Larry May God Bless You Always
Edward Hendrickson Air Force Served 20 Years
Thank you for all your service to our country. Love, Cathy & Cindy
Captain Roy H. Wilson
James Paul Blackburn
Was killed in action on October 22, 1968 at the age of 31 in Vietnam. He received 3 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star and others. Wife Loretta, 3 Children, 8 Grandchildren, and 3 Great-Grandchildren survive
Monty Earl Aldridge
We are so proud of you, Dad, for serving our country and what it means for us today. Love, CherylAnn & Chris
Thank you for your stepping up to serve your country. We love and miss you. All your family
US Army Served - 16 Years
US Air Force Served 20 Years
In Memory Of
We are so proud of you for your service and sacrifice for the freedom our country enjoys. Your family and wife Shirley
Thank you for your service to your country and family. Semper Fi “Always Faithful”
Charles “Chuck” Bayne
Russell G. Hodges
US Army Served - 2 Years Korea
Thank you Dad for serving our country. We love you and miss you. Your son and Family
Eddie Miller Army Served 4 Years
Thank you for all your service. Miss you. Judy
M.B. Pruitt, Jr. US Army Served - 1966-1968 Vietnam
Thank you and always remember that we appreciate what you did for us and your country. Love, Hayley, Becky, Allen, Alex, Ashley, Shannon, Sharon and Kim
US Navy - Served 4 Years, 4 Months
Thank you for your service to our country. You are my hero. I love you my special husband. Your lovely wife, Mrs. C
Henry D. Potter
Army Served - 4 Years
Thank you for your service. Love and miss you Judy
Larry D. (Buck) Marlow US Army Served - 2 Years
Buck, Thank you for your service in the Army, National Guard & the Carter County Honor Guard. We love you. Wanda & Wendy
FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018 - STAR - 11
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This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis Darius Bowers US Army Served - 2 Years
Thurman Shirrell Bowers US Army Served - 2 Years
Stanley Allen Bowers US Army Served - 2 Years
Buddy Little US Army Served - 3 Years
WWII Veteran Served in Austria, France and Germany Thank you for serving our country.
Thank you for serving our country. Served in Vietnam and made it back home to your family.
Thank you for serving our country. He also served in Germany.
Thank you for serving our country. Stanley was wounded while in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart.
1st Sgt. J.W. “Bill” Ollis
SFC Carmon Whisnant
Raymond Fair
My dad joined the Army, May 21, 1947. He retired June 1, 1973. He served 2 years in Japan, 1 year Korea, 10 years Germany, 2 years Vietnam
104th Infantry Division Timberwolf WWII & Korean War We thank you for your service to our country. With much love and respect, Your very proud family!
In loving memory of a husband, father and brother.
Thank God for your service for me and our country. We love and appreciate so much. We miss you. Naomi, Angela, Diane, Richard & Johnny
Ralph Fair
JN Taylor
Micheal Stephen (Steve) McNeil
J.D. Anderson
Retired US Army Served - 26 Years
US Army Served - 4 Years
US Army Served - 20 Years
US Army Served - 4 Years
AirForce Served - 4 Years
US Army Served - 3 Years
Robert Workman, PFC US Army - Pearl Harbor Served - 1941-1945
USAF Served - 20+ Years
SSGT Justin Timbs
Chad E. Ellis
We are so proud of you son. Thank you for your service and bravery to this country. We love you and wish you the best. Welcome home. Your Family
Achieved rank of Sergeant E-5 and served two tours during the Vietnam conflict. Thank you for your service for our country. Love, Your Family
Archie Dean Duvall
Lee Hasferd Slemp
Im so proud of you & your service. All my love, Janey
In memory of a man, who was cherised and loved by his family and all who knew him.
USMC Served - 15 Years
US Navy Served - 3 1/2 Years
Chief Master Sergeant Freddie A. Bradshaw
US Marines Served - 1964-1968
US Air Force Served - 4 Years
GB Odom
US Air Force Served - 30 Years
In loving memory of my youngest brother. We love and miss you.
In Memory Of
Haskel “Sonny” Laws US Army
Served during the Korean Conflict in the occupational forces as a Tank Commander. He received the rank of Sergeant. You will always be our hero! Love, Your Family
We are so proud of your service. We love and miss you very much. Cissy, Willie, Diane, Danny, Jena, Jeff, Debbie, Scott, Mark, Tammey and Family
Thank you for your service to the greatest country in the world.
Sgt. Joshua Hinson
George B. Campbell
US Army Serving 13 years
We are so proud of you! Love, Your Tennessee Family
US Army Served - 3 Years
We love you very much. Thank you for your service to our country. Love, Brenda, Kathy and Sherri
Thank you for your service. Thank you for your Christian life and love for the Lord and family.
SFC Curtis L. Stonecipher US Army Served - 25 Years
We love you and miss you everyday. Your wife Bobbie & Family
Thank you for your 30 years of honorable service to our country. We love you. Dee, Meshell & Bryan
Harold McEwen US Navy Served - 4 Years
Thank you for all you did! You and so many others sacrificed so much to give us the freedom we have today! We love and miss you!
In Memory Of
Cpt. Kevin Nordby
Army/National Guard Served - 20+ Years
1952-1955 Korean War Served on the Tripoli CVE64. Come visit Harold at Ole City Dogs!
Served 2 tours in Iraq. I have always been proud of you for serving our country. Love and miss you, Dad Dylan
12 - STAR - FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018
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This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.
Ross Sams
US Air Force Served - 21 Years
~Elmer Davis
Becky Smith Army Reserves Served - 8 Years
Operation Desert Storm Salute to all who served both past and present.
Captain Jerry Freeman Army National Guard Served - 21 Years
Thank you for your service. We love and honor you always. Sherry, Drew and Brian
Larey G. Pippin US Navy - Army Served - 30 Years
Thank you for all your years of service and hard work so we can have the freedom we enjoy today. Love you Chris
Julian C. Jaynes US Navy Currently Serving
We love and miss you, Julian. I’m so proud of you. Thank you for your service.
Adam R. Johnson
US Army Served - 3 Years, 4 Mths
SGM Rusty Rumley (Ret) US Army Served - 28 Years
Thanks for your service to this great country.
LCPL Carmon Frank Simerly US Marines Served - 3 Years
George F. Greer
US Army Served - 2 Years, 4 Mths
Thank you for your service to our country and your love to our family.
Staff Sgt. Arthur Phillip Sams Air Force Served - 9 1/2 Years
Thank you for your service and fighting for our country. Love, Mom, Dad & Family
Thank you for serving 3 years in Vietnam and 13 years National Guard. We love and miss you. Your Loving Famimly
Served in Vietnam and Germany. Upon leaving the military he was serving in air traffic control
CMSgt. Gary W. Smith (Ret)
Anthony Hardin
Harold “Tommy” Ingram
US Air Force Served - 24 Years
Air Force Served - 3 Years
US Army Served - 2 Years
You epitomize perserverance, intergrity in all things and true service before self. Thank you for your dedication to God, our country, and our family. We love you always, Kay, Kasey & Daniel
FRALEY n Continued from 2
Fraley shared that his service came during the transition of power in Iraq. “The Iraqi natives were getting their first taste of democracy after Saddam Hussein’s regime had fallen and were voting for the first time for their leaders. It was an amazing experience for me to witness,” he said. Fraley and his fellow Marines found most of the Iraqi citizens very friendly. “There were some pockets of resistance. But for the most part, the hard-working families of the area and children were very receptive to us,” he shared. Fraley said that there were three religious groups in Iraq — the Sunnis, of which Saddam Hussein represented,
the Kurds and the Shiites. “The Sunnis were benefitting the most from the Saddam regime. The other two groups were more oppressed. There was a lot of friction among the groups,” he said. Overall, Fraley said most of the Iraqis were very receptive of Americans and other coalition forces there. “We were bringing them fresh-water wells, good-paying jobs, so they showed us favor,” he added. Altogether, Fraley served about 10 years with the Marines. It was 10 years that provided him with some memorable experiences and a deeper appreciation for America and the many freedoms enjoyed in this country. “It put into perspective what we take for granted, and how good we have it here in the states. We live
George Daniel Stout US Army Served - 2 Years
Thank you Daddy for your service so I could have freedom and the greatest Daddy in the world. Now your reward is in Heaven.
US Army - Vietnam Served - 2 Years
Miss you very much.
Douglas Boyd
Denny Bowers
Uncommon valor, a resolute spirit, and God’s grace brought you home from Vietnam. As a LOH pilot in the 7/17 Air Calvalry near Pleiku you were shot down twice in one day. We love you.
Thank you for so many years of serving our country. Denny is now deceased. Wife, CoCo Bowers
Sgt. Charles Ward, Jr.
Sgt. Roosevelt Carden
US Army Served - 1967-69
US Army - 6 Years Korea - 2 Years
Thank you for your service to our country. With love from your family
in the best country in the world, and have the most freedoms,” he said. Fraley pointed to his living conditions in Iraq as an example — a 20x25 bunker with bunk beds, no air conditioning, and his attire much of the time included a flap jacket and helmet. “There was mortar fire all around so the flap jacket and helmet were a must most of the time if you wanted to survive,” he shared. The hardest part of military service for Fraley was being away from family, home, and friends and all the comforts of home. “We take so much for granted,” he said. Fraley said he has also come to have a deeper appreciation for the men and women who served in the military before him. “There was one gentleman at church, who I came
Joseph H. Jay Reed
to admire very much. He has since died. His name was F.D. Elliott, and he had served in the Marines and at Iwo Jima during World War II when America and coalition forces invaded and took back the island. He was the recipient of two Purple Hearts. He became my hero,” Fraley shared. Would he do it again? “You better believe I would. I absolutely would go back if the need came about.” Fraley, after his discharge from the military, joined the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, where he works as an investigator. He is the son of Retired City Policeman Bill Fraley and the late Barbara Fraley. Fraley and his wife, Holly, and stepdaughter, Jayln, a student at Hampton High School, live locally.
US Navy Served - 27 Years
US Army Served - 2 Years Korea
Thank you for your service to our country. With love from your wife, Ruth
VFW Post 2166 to honor Harry Stout FROM STAFF REPORTS
Residents are invited to VFW Post 2166 in July to honor a local WWII veteran. The Post will recognize Harry Stout, of Elizabethton, on July 10 for his 70 years as a member of the post. The event is scheduled to start around 8 p.m. To learn more about the event or how to get involved, contact the post at (423) 542-0520.