A Walk of Honor: Cody Brinson Pays Tribute to Those Who Served
It was a chilly morning on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Veterans Day, but that did not deter Cody Brinson, a Middleton High School senior, who was on a mission to honor men and women who served their country. Although his gratitude for all servicemen and servicewomen is strong, Cody wanted to also take the time to give special appreciation to one serviceman, his great-grandfather, First Sergeant Vard Hutchinson.
“I wanted to do a march in honor of my great-grandfather who served in the Army. I also wanted to honor the veterans who are here, the people who made it back, and especially for the people we lost,” said Cody. “We should stop and think about and honor all veterans all the time!”
Cody and his great grandfather were extremely close. Every Veterans Day, Cody would visit his great-grandfather, and their relationship lasted strong all the way until First Sergeant Hutchinson died in May 2024.
“He taught me to always slow down and appreciate everything. He would tell me to ‘hold what you got close’, to show gratitude and respect towards everything and everybody,” said Cody, who decided to take heed of his great-grandfather’s words.
Cody set out that morning on a personal mission to show his gratitude and respect to veterans and to appreciate everything around him. The plan was to walk from his home in Middleton and finish where his great-grandfather was laid to rest in the New Bethel Baptist Church Middleton cemetery. A drive, which normally takes less than 10 minutes in a car, is an approximate two hour and six-minute trek on foot. Cody’s monthly drill training with the Army National Guard prepared him to push through the cold and windy 28-degree temperature and the long journey ahead.
As far back as he can remember, Cody dreamed of joining the military. Cody enjoyed the conversations he had with his great-grandfather, who shared stories about his time in the Army.
“I saw how proud it made him,” said Cody, who believes his great-grandfather has been with him cheering him on while he was at Army Basic Training. “I felt his presence at Basic Training and it gave me the drive to keep doing it.”
Cody felt his great-grandfather’s presence during the almost six-mile walk as he took in his surroundings.
“A lot of people said, ‘thank you’ and some people honked their horns as they drove by,” said Cody, who had a lot of time to think and thought of a message he wanted to share with the people he was honoring through the walk. “I appreciate everything you’ve done. I know there are things you have done you may be ashamed of. All the restless days and nights from the danger and the things you’ve seen. I am honored to be able to walk in your footsteps and follow your dreams [what you fought for].”
Cody also shared another sight he saw while walking, which brought him joy, but some disappointment. He was pleased to see the number of flagpoles in the yards of homes, but noted many, if there was a flag at all, were at half-staff instead of full staff, which is how a flag should be flown on Veterans Day.
“Cody has decided to take on the responsibility of our nation and help protect the community, the state, the country, and I am very proud of him and the legacy he is following. I am proud of the man he is becoming,” said Brittany Brinson, Cody’s mother, who described him as an “old soul”. “Cody has always cared and been kind to everyone. He never turned his back on anyone. When he sees someone in need, he will take the shirt off his back and give it to them. He is very bright and an inspiration.”
For Cody, Veterans Day 2025 has been more than just a day off from school. It has given him the opportunity to recognize and honor military veterans around the world. It has also given him great peace to be able to continue recognizing a soldier, close to his heart, who he hopes he is making proud of him. For that soldier, First Sergeant Vard Hutchinson, Cody had a special message.
“I wish you were here right now and I could talk to you about everything you did and hear your stories, because we would be going back and forth like you and I used to do. I am glad you were there for me. You turned me into the man I am becoming and inspired me to be the man I am. I honor you and appreciate you for everything.”
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