A week of HONOR

Blount County celebrates it’s veterans. Several events were held throughout the county over the past week celebrating our county’s military heritage. From the Veterans Day Parade (top) to gatherings at the Blountsville Order of the Eastern Star (bottom right) and a special observance held at Oneonta’s First Baptist Church where Major Ernie Carroll addressed those in attendance. It is not likely one could find any county in America where military veterans are more revered than Blount County. They are held in high esteem throughout the year, but during the first full week in November, our citizens let it all out. Politics, pettiness, and pouting are brushed aside as hearts and minds focus on the heroes of freedom – our service men and women – to whom no sacrifice has been too great to secure our freedom.

The honors began on Monday in Blountsville when members of the Order of the Eastern Star invited nonmembers to a special veterans appreciation ceremony at their lodge. Scores of veterans of all major wars since World War II were introduced and members of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star expressed individual appreciation.

The ceremony was followed by an enormous spread of home-cooked entrees, vegetables, and desserts fit for kings and heroes.

Operation Grateful Heart hosted an unscripted event for hundreds of veterans, military personnel, and family members at the Oneonta National Guard Armory on Friday evening. Lester Hallman, master of ceremonies, and Rev. Bert Goodwin led the opening, followed by Lynda Rhymes, teacher at the Neely Arts Center, singing the national anthem. Other patriotic songs by some of her students followed.

Revelers were treated to a catered dinner that could have fed an army. During the dinner, the Pine Mountain Bluegrass Band entertained the guests.

Then came the largest parade to date on Saturday morning. Bands, floats, vehicles of all sorts, and marching units lined Second Street through town. Those lining the streets were treated to the antics of the Shriners’ mini cars, a helicopter flyover, and Uncle Sam and Betsy Ross.

A very moving patriotic service at Oneonta’s First Baptist Church culminated the celebration that featured keynote speaker, retired Colonel Wayne Bynum, and guest speaker retired Major Ernie Carroll, who served as a combat chaplain in Baghdad.

The entire week of patriotic events made it clear, Blount Countians never forget their heroes. That may be because a disproportionate number of military heroes came from our families here, or maybe that is just how Blount Countians are.

To us, patriotism ranks close to Godliness and cleanliness. It is our unique spirit. President Abraham Lincoln once said, “Poor is the nation that has no heroes. Poorer still is the nation that forgets them.”