The Rotary Club of Knoxville Veterans Day Program consisted of several parts, comprising a most interesting and inspiring program.
First, RCK President Chris Lambert introduced Jessica Hall, Executive Director of the American Eagle Foundation in Kodak, Tennessee. Ms. Hall had with her two of the Foundation’s care specialists, and Challenger, the official eagle of the United States. Challenger was rescued from Louisiana, and is a 38-year-old bald eagle. He has met five sitting U.S. Presidents, and is almost certainly the most famous bald eagle in the world. The American Eagle Foundation facility in Kodak is the largest bald eagle sanctuary in the world. It rehabilitates injured eagles and other raptors from around the country. Its eagles perform and are part of presentations at Dollywood and all around the country.
President Chris then introduced RCK Member Breckenridge Morgan, who retired as a Commander after 22 years in the U.S. Navy. The title of the program presented by Breckenridge was “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service.” He began with a discussion of proper protocol for veterans during the playing of the “National Anthem” and “Taps.” Since 2009, veterans have been officially authorized to salute during the “National Anthem” and “Taps.” RCK Member Scott Beasley gave a beautiful a cappella rendition of the “National Anthem.” Breckenridge then presented a video medley of the Armed Forces songs of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Commander Morgan then listed and showed pictures of current RCK member veterans:
Jim Cundall, Air National Guard
Joseph DiFiore, U.S. Army
Kent Farris, U.S. Army
David Freeman, Kansas National Guard
Edgar Gee, U.S. Army
Charlie Harr, U.S. Air Force
Terry Igoe, U.S. Army
Shane Jackson, U.S. Army
Tyler Janow, U.S. Army
Paul Kedrow, U.S. Army
Alan Lee, U.S. Air Force
Mark Linville, U.S. Army
Breckenridge Morgan, U.S. Navy
Lou Roepke, U.S. Army
Lee Sherbakoff, U.S. Army
Joe Stabb, U.S. Navy Reserve
Wes Stowers, U.S. Air Force
Larry Suchomski, U.S. Air Force
Scott Suchomski, U.S. Army
Joe Sutter, U.S. Air Force
Fred Trainer, U.S. Army
David Williams, U.S. Army
Breckenridge then discussed the core values of the Armed Forces of loyalty and service. He concluded by pointing out that for veterans, loyalty and service does not end when the uniform comes off. It continues in the form of loyalty and service to families, communities and country.
Breckenridge provided information about “Taps,” the call to remember those who have died in U.S. Military service. The program concluded with a beautiful, reverent rendition of “Taps” by trumpeter Lacey Phelps.