Tag Archives: soldiers

Governor Memorializes 3 TN Soldiers, Declares ‘Gold Star Family’ Day

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News release from governor’s office:
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam joined Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder and Major General Terry “Max” Haston of the Tennessee Military Department to pay tribute to three Tennesseans killed in action, including a soldier previously missing in action for 62 years.
Sergeant Jacob M. Schwallie of Clarksville, was fatally injured by a roadside bomb on May 7, 2012 in the Ghazi Province, Afghanistan. Schwallie graduated from Rossview High School in 2007 and enlisted in the United States Army in 2008.
Private First Class Glenn Shely Schoenmann reportedly died as a Prisoner of War (POW) on December 29, 1950. The Grundy County native was involved in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea on November 28, 1950 when he went missing. The United States Army Soldier was 20-years old when he was killed. Navy veteran Raymond Schoenmann accepted the state’s memorial presentation on behalf of his older brother.

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Seven Slain TN Soldiers Honored in Memorial Day Tribute

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News release from governor’s office:
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam joined Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder and Command Sergeant Major George Holland of the Tennessee Military Department to pay tribute to seven Tennesseans killed in action, including two soldiers previously missing in action for several decades.
Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Carson Vaughn of Troy was killed in a helicopter crash with 29 other Americans including 22 Navy SEALs in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Grandparents Billy Sr. and Geneva Vaughn accepted the state’s memorial presentation on behalf of their grandson.
Lance Corporal Franklin Namon Watson of Vonore was killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand, Afghanistan on September 24, 2011. THP Sergeant Lowell Russell accepted the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal and the state’s memorial presentation on behalf of LCpl Watson. Since the age of 12, Sgt. Russell cared for Watson as his guardian and next of kin.
Specialist Marvin Phillips of Palmer was killed in a helicopter crash in Vietnam caused by small arms fire on September 26, 1966. Phillips body was not recovered until 2010 and he was positively identified in 2011. Phillips was laid to rest on September 26, 2011. James Earl Phillips accepted the state’s memorial presentation on behalf of his brother.
Captain Joshua Sean Lawrence of Nashville was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his unit in Kandahar province, Afghanistan on October 8, 2011. Lawrence has posthumously been awarded the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal. Grandparents Glespie and Arthenia Noman received the state’s memorial presentation on behalf of their grandson.
Sergeant First Class Dennis Murray of Red Boiling Springs was killed by an improvised explosive device on November 21, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Murray has posthumously been awarded the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal. Wanda Maxey received the state’s memorial presentation on behalf of her son.
Private First Class Frank Primm Jennings of Parsons went missing in South Korea on April 25, 1951. Jennings’ remains were not returned to Decaturville until April 14, 2012. Dr. William Jennings received the state’s presentation on behalf of his brother.
Specialist Jason Edens was critically injured during an enemy attack on his unit in Laghman province in Afghanistan on April 15, 2012. On April 26, 2012, Edens died from his injuries in Bethesda, Maryland with his family by his side. Edens was posthumously awarded the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal. Ashley Edens received the state’s memorial presentation on behalf of her husband.

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Crissy Haslam Hosts Spouses of Deployed Soldiers

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News release from governor’s office:
NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam today hosted more than 100 spouses of deployed soldiers of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard for a reception at the Tennessee Residence.
The purpose of the event was to honor the sacrifices that military families have made and to pay tribute to the spouses who play a vital role in our nation’s defense. Country Singer/Songwriter Josh Thompson provided entertainment at the event.
“Men and women in the military make incredible sacrifices, and we can never thank you enough for the sacrifices your families have also made for our country,” Mrs. Haslam said during the event. She also shared best wishes from the governor, who is currently overseas visiting soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Col. Many-Bears Grinder, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, and Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Adjunct General of the Tennessee National Guard, both attended the event to honor military families. A Military Spouses’ Day Proclamation, recently signed by Gov. Bill Haslam, was read aloud to acknowledge the significant contributions, support and sacrifices of spouses of the Armed Forces.
“It was an honor to welcome so many brave military spouses to the Tennessee Residence, and we are so incredibly grateful for their service and sacrifice,” Mrs. Haslam said.

Haslam Visits Soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait

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Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday he is visiting soldiers in a “hot as blazes” Iraq and Kuwait as part of an “incredibly eye-opening experience” arranged by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The governor, speaking in a telephone news conference with Tennessee reporters, said the temperature was 130 degrees and compared it to “living all day with your hair dryer on high and turning it on your face.”
It all has left him “very, very impressed” with the soldiers and the job they are doing as they prepare for withdrawal of American troops by Dec. 31, as things stand now, he said.
“The working conditions are incredibly hard the work they doing is still difficult and dangerous,” Haslam said.

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