VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 1

THE TENN. UNIT 

THAT IS UNIQUELY 

PREPARED FOR 

DISASTER RESPONSE

TENN. SERGEANT HELPS COMRADES BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD

A BIG

VOICE

FOR THE GUARD

TECH. SGT. ANGIE JOHNSON

PLUS:

MISSION READY
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 2

VolState Guard is published to provide command and public information 

about Tennessee Guard Soldiers and Airmen throughout the world. Views 

expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the 

official view of and it is not endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Departments of the Army and the Air Force. This publication does not supersede any information presented in any other official 

Air or Army publication. Articles, photos, artwork and letters are invited and 

should be addressed to: Editor, The Volunteer State Guard, 3041 Sidco Dr., 

Attn: TNPAO, Nashville, TN 37204.

For more information, the staff can be reached by telephone (615) 313-0633, 

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right to edit all material. Published works may be reprinted, except where 

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be downloaded at: http://www.tnmilitary.org

PAGE 7

COVER - A BIG VOICE

Tech. Sgt. Angie Johnson tells us 

about herself and her music. 

STORY BY MGST ROBIN OLSEN

COVER PHOTO & STORY PHOTOS BY 

TECH SGT BENNIE J. DAVIS III

PAGE 10

MAJ GEN HARRIS RETIRES 

The Tennessee Assistant Adjutant 

General, Army retires. 

STORY BY LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY

PHOTO BY SPC CHRIS DALEY

PAGE 11

LIFE SAVING TRAINING

Moms Put Guard Training to Work 

in saving woman at local park.

STORY BY WSMV CHANNEL 4 NEWS

PHOTO BY ASSET

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART DIRECTION

SENIOR EDITORS

PHOTOGRAPHY 

WRITERS

MAJ (Ret) Randy Harris

Rob Pennington

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry

Master Sgt. Robin Olsen 

Rob Pennington

MAJ (Ret) Randy Harris,

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry

MAJ Darrin Haas

CW2 Emily Wiest

Tech. Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III

Tech. Sgt. Lenny Hamm

SPC Chris Daley

MAJ (Ret.) Randy Harris

Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry

Master Sgt. Robin Olsen 

PAGE 12

MISSION READY

The 45th WMD-CST is uniquely 

prepared for disaster response. 

STORY BY LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY

PHOTOS BY MAJ DARRIN HAAS

PAGE 14

GIVING HOPE

Staff Sgt. Pamela Pugh assisted 

two homeless Soldiers in her unit 

get a new start in their lives.

STORY BY LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY

PHOTO BY SPC CHRIS DALEY

PAGE 16

GUESTS OF HONOR

Haston, Rogers & Mckeen highlight Medal Of Honor luncheon.

STORY & PHOTOS BY 

MAJ (RET) RANDY HARRIS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

THE VOLUNTEER STATE 

GUARD MAGAZINE

VOLUME 14

ISSUE 5
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 3

AIR ASSAULT TRAINING

TRP D 1-230th ACS conducts an air assault training mission with DET 1 TRP 

E 2-278th ACR from the TNARNG Armory in Livingston, Tenn. to LZ Sharp at 

VTS-Tullahoma on Oct. 18, 2014. 

PHOTO BY: CW2 Emily Wiest

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 4

LETTER OF APPRECIATION

The Tenn. National Guard received this letter on Oct. 23, 2014. It was sent 

from Kasie Barber, a student at Lewis County High School, Tenn. The message 

serves as a reminder the Tenn. Guard is making a difference in people’s lives.

LETTER BY: Kasie Barber, Student Lewis County High School

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 5

PAYCHECKS FOR PATRIOTS

Veterans from all over Tenn. arrived at LP Field for the Paychecks For Patriots 

event on Oct. 9, 2014. This hiring event matches Veterans with employers who 

are looking for the valuable skills that Veterans can bring to the workplace.

PHOTO BY: Lt. Col. (Ret) Niki Gentry

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 6

COMMAND CHIEF MASTER SGT. CODY

Command Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody discusses current issues 

impacting the Air Force and the National Guard with Airmen of the Tennessee Air 

National Guard’s 118th Wing, based in Nashville. - September 6, 2014

PHOTO BY: Tech. Sgt. Lenny Hamm

T E N N E S S E E 

SNAPSHOT
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 7

STORY BY MSGT ROBIN OLSEN

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TECH SGT BENNIE J. DAVIS, III 

A BIG

VOICE

FOR THE GUARD

You may recognize Tech. 

Sgt. Angie Johnson from her 

viral YouTube video singing “Rolling in the Deep”, or 

even from her appearance on 

The Voice. Since she joined 

the Tennessee Air National 

Guard earlier this year, we 

took this opportunity to get 

to know her better.

TECH. SGT. ANGIE JOHNSON:
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 8

 She joined the Active Duty Air Force in 

2000. “Mostly because I was at a transitional 

place in my life and wanted to venture out 

into the world. I was proud of my father’s 

27 years of service and I wanted to make a 

difference, like I felt he had. The military 

felt like a calling,” said Johnson. She transferred to the Missouri Air National Guard 

in 2006 and to the Tennessee Air National 

Guard in 2014.

 Johnson says her fondest memories in 

the military have been doing shows for 

troops during eight separate tours in the 

Middle East. 

 “The military has enriched my life in so 

many ways,” she said. “Joining the military 

was the best decision I have ever made. It 

has always helped me keep my priorities 

straight. It’s hard to let your head get too far 

in the clouds when you are constantly reminded that your comrades are off fighting 

a war.”

 Her most memorable moment was when 

she traveled to Israel in 2010 and was baptized in the Jordan River. “It felt like such 

sacred and holy ground. I was overjoyed 

and couldn’t hold back my tears.”

 Singing isn’t the only think Johnson likes 

to do. “I hike a lot, do yoga, read, and hang 

out at my church,” she explained. I have a 

great group of friends in Nashville. We sit 

around bonfires and solve all of the world’s 

problems one s’more at a time. Good 

friends, who really know you, are very 

important.”

 She is also excited about volunteer work.

“Most of my volunteering is focused on 

Veterans. I’m passionate about the sacrifices 

they made and how we can repay them for 

their service,” she said, adding “I’m crazy 

about servicemembers and what remarkable and selfless people they are. I never 

want them to feel forgotten or unseen.”

So who exactly is Angie Johnson and where 

did she come from? She grew up in Missouri and didn’t leave there until she joined the 

military. “Go Cards!” she exclaims.

 “My earliest memory was when I was 

about three years old. My Dad had gone 

into an old supply closet to get something 

and found a slew of baby sparrows all over 

the floor. The parents had found a tiny hole 

in the roof and made a nest. My Dad got a 

couple pieces of bread, dipped it in water, 

and fed the babies with a pair of tweezers. 

He showed me how and we fed them for at 

least an hour. His love of nature definitely 

rubbed off on me,” she recalled. 

 This love of nature is also evident in her 

childhood nickname, which was given to 

her by her dad, ‘Squirrel’s Tail.’ “He said I 

was fidgety like a squirrel’s tail.”

 Johnson was the youngest of five children growing up and says she spent a lot of 

time alone when she was the last one left in 

the house. 

 “I had a big imagination and loved to 

pretend. I would write songs and stories 

and read them to my parents. I also wrote 

scripts and made all of my stuffed animals 

actors. I loved making my parents laugh.”

She added,” My Dad would say I’m the best 

at everything, my Mama would say I have a 

big mouth. So there’s balance there.”

Growing up, Johnson always knew she 

wanted to perform. 

 “There was a smidgen of time when I 

thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, but 

that was only if I couldn’t be a singer first,” 

she said.

 Johnson even remembers her first concert, “Alabama,” when she was eight years 

old. 

 “I was in love with Randy Owen. My 

Dad took me and we had third row seats, 

but we made some friends with some 

people in the front row and they let me sit 

on their shoulders. I nearly started crying 

when Randy wiped the sweat off his forehead with a towel and threw it right at me! 

He was my version of Justin Bieber. I still 

have that towel.” Johnson kept busy all the 

way through high school. 

 “I ran track, sang in choir, was on the 

cheerleading squad, student council, and 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I was also 

Johnson in front of the Ziggurat of Ur, in Iraq 

during her 2nd tour in the Middle East in November 2005. 

TECH. SGT. ANGIE JOHNSON: A BIG VOICE FOR THE GUARD 

“It’s hard to let 

your head get too 

far in the clouds 

when you are 

constantly reminded that your 

comrades are off 

fighting a war.”
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 9

the president of my class my junior year. I 

lived every bit of my high school experience 

and loved it!” 

 Her favorite music then was country. “I 

loved, and still love, Alabama. Their music 

takes me to a happy place.” She said that her 

favorite subjects were music and English. 

When asked how she would describe herself as a student, her response was “Diligent. 

I got distracted at times, but I always pulled 

my focus back to what needed to be done.” 

Eventually, she had to get a job.

 Johnson said “my first job was a hostess 

and server at an Italian Restaurant called 

The Pasta House Company. Mmmm, spaghetti...” 

 Johnson can’t say that she has ever had 

a bad job. “I try to make the most of every 

situation, and also try not to employ myself 

with doing things I hate.” This is only one of 

the lessons she has learned in life, so far. 

 “We are human, and we need to allow 

ourselves room to be human. We are not 

in control of anything,” she explained. “We 

are each uniquely gifted and beautiful, and 

our gifts are best used when shared. I can’t 

believe what the world would be like if 

everyone dared to believe in and seek out 

their true calling.”

 Reaching her calling, several people had 

an influence on her career choices. Her 

father had an influence on her military 

career, but others influenced her music. 

“All of the female country artists of the 90s: 

Reba, Wynnona, Trisha, Martina, Faith, 

Shania, have all had a big influence on my 

career,” she stated. “Then there’s Patsy and 

Dolly. Elvis was a big influence during my 

formative years. Outside of country music, 

I was hugely inspired by Whitney, Mariah 

and Celine.”

 She added,” they have all managed 

to maintain sparkling reputations while 

having mega careers that could have easily 

driven them over the edge. Not to mention 

they all have incredible vocal talent and 

ability. I admire those women immensely.”

She said that what she liked the most about 

singing was “Being able to be the narrator 

to a story. I get to be an interpreter of emotions. That’s really awesome!”

 We also reached out to our social media 

audience to see what they wanted to know. 

When asked if she used music to relate or 

deal with stressful situations in life, she said 

“Absolutely, music is much cheaper than 

therapy! Sometimes the process of writing or singing can draw out emotions you 

wouldn’t have otherwise let come to the 

surface.”

 If she had to trade singing for one thing 

in life, she said “I would go around healing 

the sick and brokenhearted. I suppose I 

could live without singing, but it is my way 

of doing just that.”

 Her super-human power would be mind 

control. “I’d go around hypnotizing everyone to have more compassion, and just be 

nicer to each other overall.”

 Just in case anyone was wondering, she 

did find out who posted the viral video. “I 

found out a few days after it was posted. He 

was one of the logistics troops who helped 

us palletize our gear. We are Facebook 

friends now!”

 As a final point, Johnson explained how 

singing and music make her feel compared 

to other talents she has.

 “Singing gives me comfort, and I believe 

it lets me bring comfort to others. People go 

through pain every single day. The struggle 

of life is real. Being able to sing someone 

out of a negative place gives me the most 

incredible joy.” - MSGT ROBIN OLSEN

“I like being able 

to be the narrator 

to a story. I get to 

be an interpreter 

of emotions. That’s 

really awesome!”

Angie Johnson works with sound engineer Daewoo Kim at Studio 78 in 

Nashville, Tenn. 

TECH. SGT. ANGIE JOHNSON: A BIG VOICE FOR THE GUARD 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 10

The Tennessee Military Department 

congratulates Maj. Gen. Robert A. 

Harris, Sr., the Tennessee Assistant 

Adjutant General, Army, and his family upon the occasion of his retirement in September 2014. Maj. Gen. 

Harris enlisted in the Army in 1974 

and the Tennessee Guard in 1977. He 

was commissioned as an officer in 

1978 and served in numerous leadership positions prior to becoming the 

Assistant Adjutant General in 2011.

Harris was deployed in support of 

Desert Shield / Desert Storm in 1990 

and served two combat tours in Iraq 

between 2004 and 2010.

He served with great distinction in the 

field artillery and engineer branches, 

displaying a selfless dedication to the 

service of his state, nation and care 

of the Soldiers he commanded. The 

members of the

Military Department shall always be 

indebted for his steadfast leadership, 

patriotism and the enduring “Volunteer Spirit” he personified. 

MAJ. 

GEN.

ROBERT 

HARRIS

**

BY: LT COL (RET) NIKI GENTRY PHOTOGRAPH BY: SPC CHRIS DALEY
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 11

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Melissa Washington 

and Nicole Smart were out for a walk with 

their children at Edwin Warner Park on 

Sunday afternoon. They never expected to 

save a life. 

 On Monday, a midstate woman is alive, 

thanks to the quick action of the two Tennessee National Guard Soldiers.

 The two moms had created a make-believe adventure to rescue a special doll for 

5-year-old Carter and 4-year-old Juliet. 

Not far down the trail, all the fun quickly 

changed. “We were out trying to save this 

Lalaloopsy doll,” said Washington. “Then 

we came upon something very important.” 

 Suddenly the mission changed for Washington and Smart from a make-believe to 

a real-life rescue. “The vegetation is kind 

of sparse,” said Smart. “So through there 

we saw somebody start to take a tumble. I 

heard somebody say ‘Honey, honey, are you 

OK?’” These Tennessee National Guard Soldiers quickly put their training into action.

 “Lisa was her name,” said Smart. “She 

was about to fall down rock steps, I was 

able to catch her. She was convulsing.” 

Smart said Lisa’s boyfriend explained she 

was having a seizure. At the time, they were 

about a quarter-mile from the trail head. 

“Lisa’s body was very rubbery, very limp,” 

said Smart. “She couldn’t hold on to us.” 

Other strangers stopped to help them. One 

step at a time, the group slowly carried Lisa 

toward the parking lot and emergency care. 

“One guy was wearing sandals,” said Smart. 

“There were a lot of roots on the ground. 

So I was watching the ground and telling 

everyone ‘watch left’ and ‘watch right.’” 

 A Soldier’s training in action on a park 

trail isn’t a place both moms ever expected 

they’d use it.

 “I think it was a really good lesson to 

them, to see their moms in action and helping somebody out,” said Washington.

 The women said Lisa was treated at St. 

Thomas Midtown and is back home in 

Dickson.

Moms Put Guard 

Training to Work in 

Saving Woman at 

Local Park

LIFE SAVING 

TRAINING

LIFE SAVING TRAINING

SSG Melisa Washington (Left) and SGT 

Nicole Smart (Right) helped save a woman’s life on a hiking trail at Edwin Warner 

Park in Nashville, Tenn.

Article from wsmv.com WSMV Channel 4 News

Photo by Asset
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 12

This Tennessee National Guard 

unit is uniquely prepared for disaster response: The 45th Weapons 

of Mass Destruction Civil Support 

Team is ever vigilant and always 

ready.

Photo by MAJ DARRIN HAAS 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 13

H

eadquartered in middle Tennessee resides a 

unique National Guard 

unit consisting of 22 

Soldiers and Airmen prepared to place their lives 

on the line during times 

of unprecedented civil emergencies. The 

45th Weapons of Mass Destruction- Civil 

Support Team (WMD-CST) was qualified 

as “mission ready” by the Department 

of Defense in 2003, and is tasked to support civilian authorities when a chemical, 

biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) or 

natural disaster incident occurs in Tennessee or throughout the nation. The 45th 

WMD-CST is one of over 50 similar Guard 

units nationwide trained to respond within minutes to highly dangerous incidents 

and assist in mitigating the loss of life and 

destruction of property. 

 WMD-CST units are funded by the 

Department of Defense and unique to 

the National Guard. A key aspect of their 

mission is the ability to bring sophisticated detection equipment and interoperable 

communication systems to an incident site 

while delivering critical assessments for 

emergency and law enforcement personnel 

during various phases of a local, regional or 

national CBRN response. The 45th WMDCST is constantly in a real-world operational mode while also training for various 

scenarios to maintain their essential state of 

readiness. 

 “While working with civilian partners, 

we bring robust HAZMAT expertise, communications support, and medical assistance to an event,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Brown, 

Commander of the 45th WMD-CST. “All 

team members are full-time Tennessee 

National Guard personnel from both the 

Army and the Air Force, and receive hundreds of hours of training per year. Tennesseans should be very proud of the 45th, for 

it is recognized as one of the top teams in 

the nation.”

 The 45th WMD-CST has attained 

numerous accolades during its time as an 

operational unit. During October, 2013, the 

unit concluded a biennial inspection from 

National Guard Bureau for readiness and 

was recognized as being among the top five 

teams in the nation, receiving the prestigious “Band of Excellence” award. The 45th 

completed a Training Proficiency Evaluation in October 2014, from Army North 

to evaluate the skills, competencies, and 

overall team performance. The results of 

the last inspection once again demonstrated 

the team was more than prepared for all of 

their evaluated tasks and received high ratings in all areas. The 45th was also awarded 

in September 2014, the first Tennessee Annual Unit of Safety Excellence Award and 

the Safety Excellence Guidon Streamer. The 

unit reached this safety benchmark after 

conducting 17 missions while successfully 

driving over 100,000 accident free miles in 

13 very specialized service vehicles during 

a two year period. The consistent excellent 

performance of the 45th WMD-CST during 

the conduct of their real world mission 

illustrates the dedication to the mission and 

level of preparation they undertake to meet 

the challenges they may face during very 

unique and dangerous situations. “The 45th 

WMD-CST is a little known, yet critical 

asset available to the citizens of Tennessee and the nation. They are 22 individual 

“Jack Bauers,” just like the key figure in the 

“24” television series,” said Maj. Gen. Max 

Haston, the Adjutant General of Tennessee. 

“The WMD-CST personnel are technically 

proficient and highly trained to identify nuclear, chemical and biological hazards then 

recommend a response to eliminate the 

danger. These Soldiers and Airmen are true 

professionals and we are fortunate to have 

this force structure available.” - LT. COL. 

(RET) NIKI GENTRY

MISSION READY

A member of the Tennessee National Guard’s 45th Weapons of Mass DestructionCivil Support Team (WMD-CST) uses specialized monitoring equipment to identify 

an unknown liquid as part of a performance evaluation of their mission capabilities.

They are 22 individual 

“Jack Bauers,” just like 

the key figure in the 

“24” television series.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 14

Tenn. Sergeant helps comrades beyond the battlefield

SOLDIERS IN NEED

LOBELVILLE, Tenn. – Staff Sgt. Pamela 

Pugh, a veteran of Operation Enduring 

Freedom and 14 year member of the Tennessee National Guard, was contacted 

during the late summer of 2014 by two of 

her fellow soldiers who found themselves 

homeless and in dire need of aid. While 

serving as a Platoon Sergeant for her unit 

in Lobelville, Tenn., she immediately took 

the initiative to assist her comrades in arms 

and help them gain assistance not only by 

her own actions, but also with help of numerous resources now available to military 

personnel, Veterans and their families. 

 “These are my Soldiers. I take care of 

them every month and they know I care 

about them whether on or off duty. They 

know they can call me anytime, especially 

when they are having difficult moments in 

their life,” said Pugh. “I take extreme pride 

in helping these Soldiers, they are like my 

family, like my kids and I feel an obligation 

to assist them as best I can.” 

 The issue of homelessness among military members currently serving, and 

other Veterans, has become a priority in 

the United States, particularly as the war 

against terrorism continues. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published a 

study identifying nearly 58,000 homeless 

GIVING HOPE

Staff Sgt. Pamela Pugh, a Veteran 

of Operation Enduring Freedom and 

14 year member of the Tennessee 

National Guard selflessly assisted 

two homeless Soldiers in her unit get 

a new start in their lives. (Photo by 

SPC Chris Daley)
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 15

SOLDIERS IN NEED

Veterans nationally on one single night 

in January of 2013. The Veterans documented in the study had served in some 

capacity among all the branches of the 

uniformed services. According to Lori 

Ogden, Director of Development with 

Operation Stand Down Tennessee, the 

average unemployment rate among Veterans in the state is 6.9 percent and one 

in five homeless persons are Veterans. 

The Veteran’s Administration and other 

agencies continue to develop programs 

to reduce the number of homeless who 

have a military background, yet they 

emphasize the need for further support 

within Tennessee and across the country. 

 Staff Sgt. Pugh’s story began when 

she was contacted by a young Soldier in 

her platoon who was living in a rescue 

shelter in Nashville, Tenn. Pugh quickly 

heeded the call and intervened in the 

pressing crisis. Using her knowledge of 

resources available through the Tennessee National Guard Family Programs 

section, The Enlisted Association of 

Tennessee, a local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other agencies, 

she was able to find financial assistance, 

temporary lodging and full-time employment for the Guard member. 

 Pugh’s aid did not end with the one 

homeless Soldier. Shortly afterward, 

she helped another member of her unit in 

a similar situation. The second Soldier had 

sought refuge in a rescue shelter during an 

interim period prior to attending a state educational program. Staff Sgt. Pugh was contacted by the Soldier and once again took 

the initiative to help the member obtain 

lodging and financial aid until the member was in a stable situation. Beyond the 

resources accessed during the first Soldier’s 

issues, Pugh was able to get other members 

of her squadron to assist in moving the 

second Soldier’s personal belongings during 

the transition to her school. 

 “The actions of Staff Sgt. Pugh are 

keeping with Army Values, the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Creed and are a true 

reflection of the nature of the Tennessee 

National Guard. Not only are our Soldiers 

and Airmen assisting their nation, state 

and communities, but they are dedicated 

to their fellow team members as well,” said 

Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Scott, the Senior 

Enlisted Leader for Tennessee. 

 He added, “the example set by Staff 

Sgt. Pugh, members of her unit and the 

Tennessee National Guard’s varied Soldier 

and Airmen support mechanisms worked 

seamlessly to help those encountering 

difficult times in their lives. Our National 

Guard is a family and when any of our own 

are in need of assistance we come together 

to support each other. It is with great pride 

that I was allowed to witness the functioning of our internal support network to assist 

one of our own. Staff Sgt. Pugh is a credit to 

her unit, as well as her fellow service members. She recognized a need and proactively 

sought out the necessary resources to take 

care of our Guard personnel.” - LT. COL. 

(RET) NIKI GENTRY

Command Sgt. Major Terry Scott with Staff Sgt. Pamela Pugh at Joint Force Headquarters in Oct. 2014. (Photo by SPC Chris Daley)

6.9%

Unemployment rate among 

Veterans in Tennessee. 

1 in 5

Homeless persons in Tennessee is a Veteran. 

58,000

Homeless Veterans nationally 

on one single night in 2013. 
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 16

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Maj. Gen. Max 

Haston, Capt. Stephanie McKeen and 

former Guardsman James Rogers were 

featured at the Veterans Appreciation 

Luncheon during the Congressional Medal 

of Honor Society’s Annual Conference in 

Knoxville.

 Capt. McKeen, who serves as the Wing 

Executive Officer for the 134th Air Refueling Wing performed an outstanding 

rendition of the National Anthem to open 

the luncheon where more than 50 Medal of 

Honor recipients were assembled.

 Maj. Gen. Haston, Tennessee’s 75th 

Adjutant General, was the keynote speaker 

for the event. Haston began by asking the 

question, “What do you say to a collection 

of the greatest heroes that this country 

has?” Haston went on to recognize and 

honor the recipients as, “the greatest treasure that America has.” He recounted his 

recollection as a military child, and his 

first realization of the impact of the Medal 

of Honor on a community when one of 

McMinnville’s own received the award. 

A Warren County native, that just a few 

weeks before Haston and the community 

had sent a comfort package, Navy Hospital 

Corpsman 3rd Class David Robert “Bobby” 

Ray was killed in action while serving in 

Vietnam. Corpsman Ray’s actions that day 

merited the posthumous presentation of the 

Medal of Honor to Ray’s mother. He went 

on to laud the service and sacrifice of the 

Veterans in attendance and what it means 

to be “in the service”, and encouraged the 

assembled to “let the voices of our Veterans 

be heard in Washington”. Haston concluded by again thanking the Medal of Honor 

recipients for their service to our nation by 

being “ordinary people doing extraordinary 

deeds”.

 The luncheon concluded with a musical 

performance by renown singer/songwriter, 

and former Tennessee Guardsman, James 

Rogers who performed some of his signature patriotic ballads. Rogers is well known 

from his years at Dollywood and Music 

Mansion Theater. His song “I Guard America” has been recognized as the official song 

of the National Guard.

- MAJ (RET.) RANDY HARRIS

Haston, Rogers & 

Mckeen Highlight 

Medal Of Honor 

Luncheon

GUESTS OF HONOR

MOH CONFERENCE

(Top) Maj. Gen. Max Haston delivers the 

keynote address. (Bottom Right) Former 

Tenn. Guardsman and renowned singer/

songwriter James Rogers performs for 

Medal of Honor recipients. (Bottom Left) 

Capt. Stephanie McKeen sings the National Anthem.
VSG MAGAZINE VOL.14 | ISSUE 5 17