Chance Meeting at Grand Ole Opry Brings Hardeman County Favorites Together
Major General Warner Ross and country music singer and songwriter Lakelin Lemmings, both Hardeman County favorites, just happened to be in Nashville, Tennessee at the Grand Ole Opry on Sunday, August 17, 2025, for a special Tennessee Army National Guard (TNG) commissioning ceremony. Major General Ross was there to preside over the ceremony and Ms. Lemmings was there to sing the National Anthem for the program.
“This was our first time to have the event on stage and in the Grand Ole Opry House. It was a special and memorable event for our soldiers and their families,” said Major General Ross, who shared how he met Ms. Lemmings. “We were backstage, prior to the event, meeting with soldiers and getting a tour of the legacy and history of the Grand Ole Opry house when we met Lakelin and her family.”
From there, the conversation continued and at some point, Hardeman County Music on the Square was mentioned. They both discovered their connection to Hardeman County.
This was the first time Lakelin had ever been in the Grand Ole Opry let alone stepped foot on the stage. Although the people sitting in the audience were not there to see Lakelin perform as a country music artist (at least, not yet), the moment was still special for her due to the occasion.
“Singing the National Anthem for the National Guard was already such a privilege,” said Lakelin, who later was presented with a commander’s coin by Major General Ross. “When the Major General presented me with a commander’s coin, I felt both humbled and incredibly honored. It was a moment of recognition I’ll treasure forever. I mean standing among heroes and knowing that my small part was valued in such a meaningful way.”
During the ceremony, 21 new officers were commissioned in a program, which is 68 years old.
“Over the history of that program, Tennessee has commissioned over 2,100 officers who’ve led troops in combat from Vietnam to Middle East and Civil Disturbances and Natural disasters across the US. A long proud history of service and achievement. Today was class 68. I’m a product of class 34. TNG ‘Ready Now’! It was a day to remember for all who attended the ceremony,” said Major General Ross, who was commissioned in 1991. “Pretty special event and even more so to have her there as a native West Tennessean and someone who knows what ‘Music on the Square’ is and where it’s at! Always special to meet folks from West Tennessee and especially those with connections to my home county and town.”
Read more local news by clicking here.
Stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County by following Hatchie Press on Facebook and Subscribing to Hatchie Press e-mail updates.
Do you have community news you’d like to share? E-mail us at news@hatchiepress.com.
