Star Staff Reports
On Saturday, the 2023 Field of Honor event was co-hosted by Abandoned Antiques of Millington, the American Legion Post 1 Memphis, the River City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Isaac Shelby Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Four veterans were honored for their service during a ceremony with master of ceremonies Rick Treharne.
The first veteran honored was John Abbott. He joined the Merchant Marines in early 1945 and was assigned to the SS MISSION LORETTA, a T-2 fuel tanker, where he spent much of his time as helmsman. His ship crossed the Pacific Ocean, avoiding mines and at least one Japanese submarine. In August 1945 they were 800 miles off the coast of Okinawa when “the bomb” was dropped.
He received his honorable discharge in September 1945 and immediately joined the U.S. Army. After bootcamp, he boarded a transport ship headed to Iwo Jima where he spent the next year. Upon his honorable discharge in July 1947, he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and “ruptured duck” lapel button for his time in the Army. Abbott is now 100 years old.
Second honoree was William S. Ostenski, Sergeant USAF who served eight years in Korea/Vietnam. He trained with the SeaBees at Port Hueneme, California, and was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and Kunsan Air Base, Korea.
Next up to be recognized was Ammon Edger Haley, Jr, Corporal, WWII U.S. Army Air Corps, was assigned to Headquarters Detachment “H” Fighter Wing Special. He served in three Southwest Pacific Battle Campaigns in Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea and Southern Philippines. Beginning on April 23, 1944 took part in seven “D” Day landings in New Guinea and the Philippines. Haley is also 100 years old.
The fourth veteran to be honored was Charlie Maddox, USAF Korea served for 15 months with Aircraft Crash and Rescue at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina.
The program held on the campus of Abandoned Antiques was opened up by Treharne and featured a speech from Isaac Shelby, president of Chapter Sons of the American Revolution. After the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the four veteran guests were recognized.
Then the audience heard from Justin Johnson, VFW Post 5066, Collierville; Kathy Desjarlais, president Military Women Across the Nation, Memphis Belle Unit 151; Antwane Bohanon, candidate for U.S. Representative Ninth District, retired Navy Chief; Marjorie Miller Green, State Chaplain, Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution, River City Chapter, Millington.
Then it was time for the Flag Folding Ceremony- 13 Folds of the American Flag.
The flag folding ceremony was held with the reading of the meaning behind each fold. Shannon Bryant, U.S. Army Chemical Corps and Gary Weiss, Commander, American Legion Post 1 folded the flag, which was then presented to veteran honoree Haley.
The ceremony concluded with a gun salute by the American Legion Honor Guard Mid-South and the playing of taps. The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.
Women veterans were recognized for their service in honor of June 12, Women Veterans Day. Given special pins by the DAR.
A vital part of the event was the guest speakers, Justin Johnson, Kathy Desjarlais, Antwane Bohanon and Marjorie Green also participated in the event.
“All speeches were inspirational and patriotic,” Chandra Bailey of DAR said. “Attendees left with their patriotic batteries recharged. The common theme was that we all need to contribute to our community and nation any way we can- vote, volunteer, fly our flags, teach our children, etc. One honored veteran said he hadn’t felt so appreciated for his sacrifices and service in a really long time.
Abandoned Antiques’ Judi Peery was presented with the DAR Community Service Award and pin, in honor of all she does for the local veteran and military community.
The American’s Creed
By William Tyler Page
I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
