All across Weakley County, America’s fallen heroes were honored in special Memorial Day ceremonies, which recalled the unselfish sacrifices made by military service personnel from the area, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Area veterans gather at Dresden Courtsquare

In Dresden, a special Memorial Day service was held next to the Weakley County War Memorial, located on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn.
As the ceremony got underway, those present were welcomed by MSG USA (Ret.) Dave Bradley, who serves as Weakley County VA Service Officer. This was followed by the invocation delivered by Bro. Jim Barnhouse, Pastor of Mack’s Grove Baptist Church. And the Pledge of Allegiance was given by Dan Huneycutt of VFW Post No. 100020. Next, Frank Underwood sang “American Christian.”
The guest speaker for the event was L.S.D.R. Arthur Guetterman, CHC. USAR (Ret.), who honored the war dead of Weakley County and the United States of America.
The laying of the wreath was carried out by Odie Leggins and Terry Castell, both of American Legion Post No. 55.
The Memorial Roll Call was conducted by several individuals, who read a list of local war dead according to the wars they fought in as follows: WWI - Denise Stafford of DAV Chapter No. 98; WWII - Larry Tackett of VFW Post No. 100020, and Seldon Parham of American Legion Post No. 69; Korea - Dan Honeycutt of VFW Post No. 100020; and Vietnam and Iraq - Bill McClain of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Frank Underwood then led the group in singing the “Star Spangled Banner.”
This was followed by a 21-gun salute provided by Weakley County Sheriff’s Deputies: Art Carson, Randy Crocker, Derek Coble, Candice Floyd, Eric Smith, Danny Browning, Jerry Pearson and Bret Davis.
On a more solemn note, “Taps” was played by Jackie Darnell of American Legion Post No. 94.
Next, the flag raising portion of the ceremony was carried out by 1174th National Guard members SFC Sam Shoulders and SPC Michael Milton.
And finally, the benediction, delivered by Bro. Jim Barnhouse, brought the service to a close.

UTM hosts Memorial Day Service

In Martin, there was also a special ceremony recognizing all veterans, but which focused on a local man who was killed in action last year, while serving in Iraq.
The sixth annual Memorial Day observance at the University of Tennessee at Martin Friday was marked not only with recognition of area veterans, but also with a tribute to Capt. Brent Morel, United States Marine Corps and a UT Martin graduate, who was killed last year in Iraq.
More than 150 area residents and veterans were present for the observance on the lawn of the Hall-Moody Administration Building at UT Martin paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in military service.
Mike Morel, of Martin, father of Capt. Morel, and Capt. Tony Lacy, UT Martin Department of Military Science and Leadership recruiting operations officer, were speakers for the event.
The observance included the unveiling of a bust of Capt. Morel that will be displayed at Paul Meek Library and then permanently housed at the ROTC Building, both located on campus. The bust was commissioned by Statues for Soldiers. Morel was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest award, second only to the Medal of Honor. The Navy Cross is only awarded in combat situations. A recent presentation in
Memphis acknowledged Morel’s honor.
In his remarks to the crowd, Morel told of his son’s life, which began July 26, 1976, in Nashville, during the celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial. Morel recounted Brent’s early years, graduation from Bartlett High School and his choice to join the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves after his freshman year in college at the University of Memphis. He transferred to the University of Tennessee at Martin for his junior and senior years, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in May 1999. It was here he met his future wife, Amy Mullins, also of Memphis.
Morel spoke of Brent’s continued military training and his service in Iraq that placed him near Fallujah on April 7, 2004, as a platoon commander, 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
“The area was ideal for an ambush, the road was elevated and exposed and it was paralleled by a series of chest-high canals,” said Morel. “The lead vehicle was hit first by a rocket-propelled grenade, that exploded and struck all five Marines inside.” Morel said his son pulled his humvee in front of the damaged vehicle to protect the men and initiated a counterattack. “Before his vehicle was even stopped, Brent had dismounted and was running towards the enemy positions. It was later estimated that this ambushing force consisted of 50-70 insurgents. Brent had practically hurdled 10-foot berms and was attacking the enemy. As the surprised enemy broke, the Marines shot them down.” Morel continued, “Brent was eventually struck by a bullet . . . It was, most likely, an armor piercing round and it hit where no body armor was present. The body armor would not have made any difference. Thursday, April 8, at 3 a.m., we were notified of his death by a Marine casualty team.”
He added, “Even though this has been a very difficult time, we are comforted to know that Brent is in a better place, free from conflict, worry and pain. He paid the ultimate price as a Marine, but now has received the most precious gift. I know what he was doing was noble and right. It was what he had been trained to do and something he chose to do. The best way to honor Brent and all our veterans is to believe in his cause and support those who carry on.”
UTM instructor Capt. Tony Lacy called on those attending to “reconnect with their history and core values by honoring those who gave their lives for the ideals we cherish.” Speaking of those who have died in military service, he said, “ Each person . . . was a loved one cherished by family and friends. Each was a loss to the community and the nation.
“In some places, these ceremonies continue, as we see here. You come here to honor our fallen comrades by your presence. You understand that on Memorial Day we honor the ideals and values those soldiers stood for and died defending.” He added, “For a growing percentage of the American people, Memorial Day has come to mean simply a three-day weekend or a major shopping day.”
“Today, we have the smallest Army we’ve had in 50 years. . . . fewer young people are drawn to military service. This is not news to many of you. You are aware of the challenges involved in reconnecting the American people to their Army.”
Lacy urged those present who understand “the importance of our history, who understand the importance of the values of our Armed Forces” to help others understand what it is that “inspires and enables ordinary citizens to rise to the challenge of battle, to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in service to their country.” He added, “The answer is values. The proud legacy of our military - and our country - is grounded in these core values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.”
Others participating in the program were Mike Munkel, general manager of dining services at UT Martin, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era, and was master of ceremonies; Don McClain of Union City, who sang the national anthem; Vietnam veteran and chaplain Mace Jett Jr., of Martin, who gave the invocation; Dr. Nick Dunagan, UT Martin chancellor and retired colonel in the Tennessee National Guard; and the Rev. Gerry Gallimore of Dresden, who gave the benediction. The Tennessee National Guard presented the colors prior to the ceremony.
The UT Martin Department of Public Safety and members of the Martin Police Department honored area veterans with a gun salute, and Steven Westbrook, of Jackson, closed the observance with “Taps.”

An elderly man was airlifted from the scene, following a single-vehicle automobile accident along the Latham Highway last Wednesday.
According to a report filed by Trooper Dan Moore of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the crash took place at approximately 3:24 p.m. when 79-year-old Joe Taylor of 225 Oak Drive in Dresden, lost control of his 2004 Ford Crown Victoria while traveling south on Hwy. 118
Due to his age and the extent of his injuries, Taylor was flown by helicopter to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital for treatment and medical evaluation.
No further information is available at this time.