Recognizing Those Who Always Put America First {video}
It was a countywide celebration as veterans, their families, and the community came out to celebrate at the annual Hardeman County Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 9, 2023. The program, in its eleventh year, honored veterans from all military branches, which included ones who fought in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. First Sergeant Larry Prince (Retired) was the emcee for the program.
Liberty Technology Magnet High School (LTMHS), Jackson, Tennessee Color Guard opened the program. Timothy Patton sang the national anthem, Sharron Murden sang “Wind Beneath My Wings”, and LTMHS choir director Samantha Maclin, led her students in a medley of patriotic and popular songs to which the veterans stood as their military branch of song was sung. Those participants have been part of the Hardeman County Veterans Day Program for many years chosen specifically by Ms. Frances Ward with meticulous and organized detail to honor veterans like her husband, William T. (Rick) Ward.
William T. (Rick) Ward was a First Sergeant with the US Army (Retired) after 20 years of service. He moved his family to Frances’ hometown of Toone once he retired.
“While in the military, he (my father) worked in the Army Medical Corp from 1949-1970 and participated in the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and was stationed in Kentucky-Tennessee, Germany, Lebanon, North Carolina, Panama, and Texas. He was a member of the Green Berets, the 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, and the 187th Airborne. He was a master parachutist,” said Frances Ward’s daughter, Vicki Ward Ridenhour, who has continued holding the program since her mother’s death in 2019. “My parents were married from 1955 until my father’s passing in 2007.”
Ridenhour also shared that her mother’s brother, Guy T. Ozment, served in Korea, and her mother’s stepfather, William R. Marsh, served in World War II. She remembers her mother always volunteering to help with various events on base, and supporting the military wives.
“I remember, when we lived in Panama, my mother decorated the room for a party with palm fronds,” said Ridenhour. “My mother had previously chaired a Veterans Day ceremony at Rose Hill Middle School in Jackson. Recognizing veterans was important to my mother.”
The featured speaker for the program was Lieutenant General John Glad Castellaw United States Marine Corps (Retired). Castellaw is currently chief executive officer of Enterprise Sensor Systems, LLC where he leads an interdisciplinary team developing a rapid screening capability for disease in humans and animals using advanced sensor technology integrated with artificial intelligence.
Castellaw presented challenge coins to Bobby Boyle in appreciation for the program set up each year and to Frank Hazelwood, a World War II veteran, who celebrated his 100 birthday in November. Hazelwood is the oldest known living veteran in Hardeman County. Later in the program, all sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Hazelwood.
Castellaw recognized two military spouses. He first recognized his wife, Wanda, who he credits with taking care of the behind the scenes of his 36-year military career, which included moving the family 25 times. He next spoke about Frances Ward as he recalled the first time they met.
“I was just transitioning to civilian life from the Marine Corps and I was down in the court square in Bolivar, and this little old lady comes up to me and says ‘Hey, who are you?’ I said ‘Well, I am Lieutenant General Castellaw’. She said ‘I needed a general’,” said Castellaw who learned Frances was a military wife and some trivia about her husband who had a nickname, “Reckless Rick”.
It was from that meeting a friendship began. Castellaw become a member of her fireteam and later a regular participant in the annual Veterans Day program.
Castellaw spoke about leadership and bringing people together who are motivated by a common theme or cause. He shared the story of Tennessee native Master Sergeant Roderick “Roddie” W. Edmonds of the 106th Infantry Division, 422nd Infantry Regiment in the United States Army during World War II. Edmonds was captured at the Battle of the Bulge and stood strong refusing when ordered at gunpoint to identify the Jewish soldiers under his command.
“He was a leader. He knew how to bring everybody together. All (under his command) were willing to risk their lives, because of their confidence in him, and their faith in their fellow man,” said Castellaw.
He also shared about a working experience he had with former senators Ted Stevens, Republican from Alaska and Daniel Inouye, Democrat from Hawaii.
“They (Stevens and Inouya) traveled together. Their staff was together, and they were motivated by one theme, ‘What do I need to do to protect the United States and its citizens?’ It was not about fighting each other. It wasn’t about talking about the different parties in terms of combat. It was how do we come together and support and defend our nation,” said Castellaw who made a comparison of Edmonds and Ward. “Frances brought the community together, organized it so we could honor you (veterans). She worked with education. She worked with the community. Regardless of color, religion, political views. She was focused on one thing, what is the best for our community? Edmonds, he was focused on one thing; taking care of his men. No matter what religion, what color, what politics. We need to get back to that. The veterans and the families have always been the people who put our country first.”
Ridenhour also shared her sentiments about the Veterans Day program.
“It is important for the veterans to be recognized, because of their service. We are thankful for their service and for keeping our country safe. We want them to know how much they are appreciated,” said Ridenhour “My mother wanted myself, the committee members, and volunteers to continue holding the program. Everyone involved was happy to do so. It means a lot to the veterans, the community, and the sponsors.”
Earlier in the program, Castellaw recognized the color guard and expressed how proud of them he was, while also sharing a sobering fact about our future military branches.
“They represent the top 20 percent of our nation’s youth from 17 to 24 years old. Over 70 percent of our youth cannot meet the requirements to be in any of the military services. We should want to do something about that. The core of our defenses is our military, and they make up that core, so we got to do something about it,” said Castellaw.
Tennessee State Representative Shaw spoke briefly recognizing Frances Ward on the “good work” she started years ago and Vicki “who is stepping in mom’s shoes to keep this program going”. Shaw thanked the veterans for their service and shared more.
“Every time I attend one of these programs. I am reenergized to serve and I have come to realize how important service is in this country,” said Shaw.
After the program, the veterans were served a lunch that included a meal and desserts.
If you are a Hardeman County veteran or know of one who would like to participate in the annual program, contact Vicki Ward Ridenhour at vwridenhour@gmail.com. Preparations are already being made for the 2024 Hardeman County Veterans Day Program.
Watch the full Hardeman County Veterans Day Program.
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