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On Friday evening our Candlelight Memorial Service, held with the Tennessee Memorial Wall as a backdrop (more on this later), was (as usual) moving, meaningful and appreciated. It was good to see several 'new' guys participate as principals in this yearly remembrance. Our thanks to Joe Belardo and all who participated!
The first stop on Saturday's agenda was at the grave site of Dennis Hayworth in Lenoir City, Tennessee. Dennis is the first DQS KIA (28 Sept 66) of record to date. The words, music and pageantry of this ceremony dissipated the light rain that we encountered in the ceremony's initial stages. In addition to the salute that was fired honoring our fallen comrade, Dennis' grandson, Austin, was presented with a flag that had been flown over our nation's Capitol in Dennis' honor. Dennis' family in attendance - which included his grandson, wife, brothers, sisters-in-law, the aunt who raised him and others - were very appreciative and stated that; "the ceremony was better than the one the Army performed when Dennis was buried". We should all be proud of our presence at and participation in such a meaningful ceremony! At the end of this ceremony, we presented a certificate designating Lenoir City as the 'DQS Home of the Brave' (in recognition of Lenoir City being the boyhood home of both Dennis Hayworth - first known DQS KIA - and Mitchell Stout - DQS MoH Recipient) to the Vice-Mayor of Lenoir City. This certificate will be displayed at the Town Hall where all residents and visitors can view it.
Next on Saturday's busy agenda was our ceremony/dedication held at the Mitchell Stout MoH Memorial and grave site - between Lenoir City and Farragut, Tennessee. We honored Mitch, DQS Medal of Honor Recipient, and again the words - including those of Marine Vietnam Veteran and retired FBI Special Agent, Virgil Young, music and pageantry of the ceremony were most appropriate and very meaningful.
Click here to read remarks spoken during the service.
In addition to the salute fired in Mitch's honor, we (DQS) unveiled an inscribed stone and holly tree, which we dedicated as an addition to the Mitchell Stout MoH Memorial. The inscription is as follows:
A SINGLE TREE, A SINGLE LIFE
One God, One Country, One Nation
May the beauty and life represented by this tree
signify that of the life of Sgt. Mitchell W. Stout and
others honored here, who so selflessly gave their
lives for you, their fellow soldiers, and country.
Dedicated July II, 1998
NATIONAL DUSTERS, QUADS AND SEARCHLIGHTS
ASSOCIATION
To Heal And Bring Together The Divided
"Together Then, Together Again" |
A POW-MIA Flag was also dedicated and raised at this ceremony.
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