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Monday, May 26, 2003
Director of the Office of Homeland
Security for Tennessee, Major General Jerry Humble,
Speaks at First Annual Memorial Day Service
Major General Jerry Humble (Retired), now Director of
the Office of Homeland Security for Tennessee, addresses a crowd of
patriotic citizens at Huntingdon's First Annual memorial Day
Service. Perfectly complementing the grassroots morning service in
neighboring McKenzie, Huntingdon’s 7:00 p.m. Memorial Day event
combined more homespun goodness with the pageantry of the Marine
Color Guard of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines in Nashville,
a 21-gun salute and guest speaker retired Major General Jerry
Humble, who currently serves as Director of the Office of Homeland
Security for Tennessee.
In what seemed to be an interruption of the service as it was about
to begin, a train’s lonesome whistle and the slowly subsiding rumble
of its wheels along the track in back of Thomas Park were reminders
that a depot once stood at the place in which citizens were
gathered, where many of the soldiers had also gathered as they
boarded trains that took them away from home on their first step
toward the foreign lands where they lost their lives that America
might remain free and strong.
Huntingdon High School Chorus members dressed in red, white and blue
distributed American flags among a crowd of over 200, then assembled
to sing “She’s More Than Just Another Flag” for an emotionally
stirring opener to the service.
The Marine Corps Color Guard presented the Colors after which the
National Anthem was led by the Chorus, and Mayor Dale Kelley led the
crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In his opening prayer, County Executive Kenny McBride prayed, “Help
us to always be mindful of the sacrifices and of our freedoms and
never take them for granted.”
Mayor Kelley acknowledged the Carroll County War Memorial honoring
the dead and greeted the veterans, each of whom, he said, was an
honored guest. “Memorial Day is also a time,” he said, “for
celebrating the patriotism that binds us as a community and as a
nation.”
Major Humble stated that for 227 years men and women have been
joining our armed forces, representing our country and keeping us
free. He set out three tenants that make up a great country:
economic power, political/diplomatic power, and military power. All
are inter-related, he said, but “diplomacy and economics are carried
around the world by military power… They have been carrying our
banner and keeping us free and doing things to keep our commerce
flowing around the globe.”
It is not just the veteran, he said, but their families and loved
ones who share in the ultimate sacrifice. “Every generation has met
the call and nowhere more than Tennessee.”
He credits America’s proactive pursuit of terrorists and their
agents with why there have been no more attacks since 9-11. “Most
importantly,” he continued, “Service men and women are also standing
on the border between North and South Korea – the most dangerous
place in the world – and standing strong.”
“They do that because they are Americans who have received the call
to service and they do it because of you,” he declared. “… At the
end of the day, I’ll tell you, it’s a magnificent day to be an
American.”
The Chorus sang “God Bless the U.S.A.” after which Carroll County
Chamber of Commerce President Brad Hurley related the history of
Memorial Day and its southern roots.
In tribute to the original Memorial Day custom of laying flowers on
the graves of fallen soldiers, mothers and children as well as
Johnny Radford, representing “grandpa” and Conner Pinson as “a
little boy”, each representing one of America’s wars, placed white
carnations into a gingham lined basket near the memorial. Grandpa
and grandson also served as symbols for the lyrics of the opening
song in which the old man related to his grandson the meaning of the
flag and the sacrifices born by those who defended it and who will
support it in the future.
The 21-gun salute was followed with taps played in echo by Cari
Beauchamp and Ben Campbell.
Underscoring the poignancy of the service, always dynamic Jeal
Atwood (Mayor Kelly’s Administrative Assistant) performed in sign
language for Huntingdon resident Rose Beal, each of the songs
performed during the service.
As Ms. Atwood, Tracey Hilliard and Beth Perry signed “God Bless
America” to close the service, Ms. Beal in triumphant patriotism
signed the song as others sang the verses.
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