Tennessee V

While at breakfast with the guys from Soddy Daisy, one of them asked me if I had seen the memorial over in Dunlap? One of things I love about this journey is that this seems to happen on every trip! Someone tells me about a site I have never heard of before. Assured that Dunlap was only about 20 miles away, I set out to see what was there.

When I arrived all I could find was the beginnings of a Veteran's Memorial, still under construction. (top pic) I stopped at a local National Guard Amory and the good folks there assured me that what I had seen was in fact the new memorial, not yet completed. One of them said, "Have you seen the one in Whitwell?" "It's only about 20 miles from here!"

Somewhat amazed, I set out again and this time found this great park.

On my next post I will show some other pics from Tennessee that I think you might find interesting, too.

Tennessee lV

I wanted to share a couple more photos from this great site in Soddy-Daisy. These brick structures welcome you to the site and commemorate our most recent wars back to WWII. (The large white wall in the back is WWI) The one for Vietnam lists the names of the 6 from the area who did not return. On top of this one there is a small statue of a kneeling soldier. I didn't notice at first but then saw that he is not a 'Nam vet. I asked about him and was told an interesting story.

He is a complete mystery!

No one knows where he came from. He just showed up one day about three years ago and has been here ever since. It is surprising that he has not disappeared as mysteriously as he arrived. Periodically, some one (still unknown) comes and moves him from one brick structure to another. Perhaps he, like the Huey, is guarding this memorial to the local lost heroes.

The eagle, one of two, watches all from above on this our nation's birthday and everyday! So, today, celebrate our independence and our freedom, but take a moment to remember these, here, and all those who have given so much. We are Americans by accident of birth and free because of the wisdom of our founders and the sacrifices of so many.