Veterans were honored at a special ceremony at the LaFollette Church of God on Sunday. Veterans left to right: Andrew Ditmer, Stacie Hutson Thomason, Peggy Puckett for Dan and Shannon Puckett, Harold Cooper, Jerry Hurst, Joe Masterson and Melvin Brandenburg.

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A special Veteran’s ceremony was held at the LaFollette Church of God on Sunday. The Campbell County Honor Guard began the ceremony, which finished with a certificate presentation to veterans by Lt. Colonel Knud Salveson. After certificates were handed out God Bless America was played as a “special thank you” to veterans.


Lt. Colonel Knud Salveson handed out certificates for veterans who attend the LaFollette Church of God.  U.S. Army Veteran Andrew Ditmer receives his certificate.

Pastor Michael Dent delivered a uniquely tailored sermon in honor of the upcoming Veteran’s Day.  Dent preached on how important it is to “support the American military” and to “stand for the red, the white and the blue.” He spoke of the historic importance of the American military and the sacrifices made for American freedom. “We need to support our troops, support our military people and that means having an ear to hear and a shoulder to lean on when they need it,” Dent said. He closed out asking for prayers for the soldiers and the military as a whole. 

The LaFollette Church of God recognized veterans on Sunday with a special ceremony and certificates for church members.

LaFollette Church of God current 2020 veterans are: 

Ray Ayers, U.S. Army

Melvin Merrill Campbell, U.S. Army 

Millard Chadwell, U.S. Navy 

Walter Disspayne, U.S. Army 

Andrew Ditmer, U.S. Army 

Larry Ellis, U.S. Army 

Buford Goins, U.S. Air Force 

Bob Harper, U.S. Navy

John Hendren, U.S. Army

Lee Huguenard, U.S. Army

Will Irwin, U.S. Army

Aaron Johnson, U.S. Air Force

Bobbie Johnson, U.S. Army

Larry Johnson, U.S. Army

Craig Lehman, U.S. Army

Bill McCullah, U.S. Army

Bob Newhall, U.S. Air Force

Dan Puckett, U.S. Air Force

Shannon Puckett, U.S. Air Force

Dennis Shepherd, U.S. Army

Stacie (Hutson) Thomason, U.S. Air Force

Larry Tidwell, U.S. Army

Hershel Turner, U.S. Army

Bobbie Ray West, U.S. Army

MSG. Frank Tierney, U.S. Army

LTC. Knud Salveson, U.S. Army

Clarence Berry, U.S. Army

Garland Eubanks, U.S. Army (passed away)

Paul Patterson, U.S. Army (passed away)

Leonard Siler, U.S. Army (passed away)

Wesley Dupuy, U.S. Army (passed away)

Campbell County Honor Guard branch:

J.T. Asbury, SP4, U.S. Army

Hughe Don Hatmaker, CMSG, U.S. Air Force

Joe Hatmaker, U.S. Army

Jerry Hearst, Sgt. U.S. Army

J.D. Hawn, U.S. Army

Joe Masterson, SP4, U.S. Army

Rick Zereva, U.S. Marine Corps

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/09/2020-6AM)

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