News

VFW dedicates Wall of Honor

By Bill Moss, Published: August 15, 2024

When a volunteer signs up to serve in the military, he or she has no idea where their country ultimately will send them, observed Bob Johnson, a retired U.S. Army major and the primary inspiration for Henderson County’s Wall of Honor.

“Serving your country in uniform is like signing a blank check, or as Forrest Gump put it, ‘Life is like a box a chocolates. You never know what you're going to get,’” Johnson said. “While Forrest was a fictional character whose service took him to the war in Vietnam, which was real to millions of people who served there, and was also real to the families of more than 58,000 who passed when that blank check was cashed.”

Johnson served as the keynote speaker for the dedication of the county’s newest tribute to veterans of military service, one that's sure to grow by a factor of 10 or even 100 as time goes on. More than 60 veterans, families, county officials and other supporters turned out for the ceremony and unveiling of the Wall at the new Hedrick Rhodes Veterans Center, the renovated VFW post at Five Points.

Now, 21 shadowboxes display the name, rank and medals of veterans who have a connection to the county. To be eligible, a veteran must have been honorably discharged from military service on active duty or the reserves, in wartime or peace.

“So many people have great ideas,” County Commission Chair Rebecca McCall said. “I've had so many good ideas. I'm sure everybody here can raise their hands and say, ‘I've had a great idea.’ But to follow through with the idea and to contribute in such a way to our community that will be long lasting and a memorial to so many people, I just wanted to say, on behalf of the county, thank you so much.”

Johnson explained why he and other members of Hedrick Rhodes VFW Post 5206 believed the Wall was an important initiative.

“The Wall of Honor program is here to honor those who served, none of which knew on their day of induction whether they would serve in a war zone or not,” he said. “But service is service, and that's why this Wall of Honor is set up to honor all those who signed that blank check. The Wall of Honor provides proof of a veteran’s service. It tells us who they were, where they served, how well they served, and for some their bravery in combat. The wall is a physical biography of their service, a  roadmap, and like DNA and fingerprints, none are the same.

“We see these veterans every day, at Lowe's and Home Depot, Fresh Market and Ingles, in church and on Main Street. It's usually their hats that give them away, but not always. Some still speak the language of their service and continue to serve their continued, selfless dedication to the community through volunteerism, in Scouts and schools, helping neighbors in need. Others, like Mike Baer, start businesses like Guidon Brewing Co., or Grady Hawkins, who served as an elected official, helping shape our community for years to come.”

The wall is free for veterans, but it’s not free to build and maintain, Johnson said, issuing a gentle appeal for continued donations.

“The wall is not done. Other names will be added over time,” he said. “We also have big plans to enhance the wall with a robust database and educational programs. Today is a major milestone of more than two years in the making, but it's not the end.”