Category: Military

Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Family, Healing, History, Military, Philanthropy

Flying Behind a Hometown Hero

Written by Mason Edwards

Video by Will Chen
In our media, we often hear about the remarkable stories of inspiring heroes, but it’s important to remember that behind every leader, there are many more individuals who choose to follow. One such follower was Retired Chief Warrant Officer Freddy Few, who had unwavering faith in his hometown hero, Larry Taylor, who later received the Medal of Honor. Few reflects on the pivotal moment he chose to enlist in the fight against Vietnam, and in doing so, sheds light on the voices of those who draw inspiration from heroes.

The decision that shaped the course of Freddy Few’s life happened not because of a recruiter, advertisement or newscast. Instead, Few followed in the footsteps of a hometown hero. Over forty years ago, he decided to enlist as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War.

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Family, Healing, History, Military

Honored Heritage

Written by Maleah Holder

Video by Caleb McCool
Director of Operations Steven Thomas of the Medal of Honor Heritage Center discusses the significance of the center and its location in Chattanooga. Education is the main focus of the center, ensuring that the sacrifice of the numerous Medal of Honor recipients is remembered and honored by students and the community.

As the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor, Captain Larry Taylor sheds light on a long born legacy of honored recipients in Chattanooga who are remembered in the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Family, History, Military, Philanthropy

Uncle Doss’ Legacy

Written by Bethany Cothran

Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor, continued to serve people following his return home. Through the process of building Lookout Mountain Seventh Day Adventist from scratch, Doss was there to lend a helping hand every step of the way.

Eighteen miles south of the museum housing Desmond Doss’ Medal of Honor, his legacy lives on in Georgia’s northern hills. There, Doss’ homegrown church still stands. 

Raised down the road from the Dosses in Rising Fawn, Georgia, Glenn Burchard remembers Doss from the time he was three years old and called him Uncle Desmond. With his birthday a day after Doss’, Burchard recalled years sharing his birthday celebrations with Doss and learning how to tie a knot resembling the one that helped Doss receive his Medal of Honor.

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Family, Healing, History, Military

The Road to the Medal

Written by Caroline Colvin

Video by Taylor Carmody
Mike Holden recounted the heroic acts that lead Vietnam veteran, Captain Larry Taylor, to receiving the Medal of Honor. Holden was a good friend of Taylor, being heavily involved in the process to get Taylor nominated. 

Editor’s Note: We would like to honor Mike Holden for his consideration, time, and help with this story. Mr. Holden passed away on Oct. 10, 2023, a few days after the initial publishing of this story.

Clinging on a helicopter’s rocket pod, unsure of the outcome of the ongoing maneuver, Sergeant Dave Hill trusted Captain Larry Taylor with his life on June 18, 1968. Hill put years of work into telling the story of that day, eventually leading him to the White House to witness Larry Taylor’s Medal of Honor ceremony on Sept. 5, 2023. 

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Animals, Anxiety, Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Daily Life, Diversity, Family, Healing, Health, Love, Military

Battle Buddies

By Madison Van Horn

Eric Dudash standing tall next to Phantom. Eric explained the trials that Warrior Freedom had to go through in order to be here today. Saturday, February 12, 2022. (Photo by McKenna Pegrim)

The heroes that serve in the United States Military face unimaginable challenges every day in service, but for many veterans that is only the beginning of a lifelong mental warfare. 

Eric Dudash is a veteran who served in the special operations command for over 30 years and suffers from PTSD. However, he has discovered an unconventional form of medicine: his service dog, Phantom.

Audio by Eli Rushing
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community, Diversity, Family, History, Immigration, Love, Military

Journey to Freedom

By Serretta Malaikham

Manichanh Sonexayarath feeds her husband Khampoon Sonexayarath. Manichanh became her husband’s sole caretaker after he suffered a stroke years prior. (Photo by Serretta Malaikham)

During the Cold War, my parents Manichanh and Khampoon Sonexayarath had chosen to flee their home in Laos, a country that was being treated as collateral damage. The country was neutral until it became a battleground between the United States and the Soviet Union. Today, Laos remains the most heavily bombed nation in history, with more bombs dropped there during the Cold War than all of World War II combined. 

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Chattanooga, community, History, Military

The History Inside The Chattanooga National Cemetery

Written by Jerrod Niles

Spring wind rustles through freshly bloomed leaves and carries the aroma of fresh cut grass. The silence is like that of no other. Being surrounded by those who gave the ultimate sacrifice can be more than humbling.

The Chattanooga National Cemetery is located in the heart of Chattanooga Tennessee. Founded in 1863 by General George Thomas for the union men he had lost in his campaign, it still stands today pristine and closely watched over. 

A look into the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Jim Ogden. Video by Jerrod Niles
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Chattanooga, community, Diversity, History, Military

The Triple Victory of the 6888th

Written by Kalie Shaw

A look into the fascinating history of the 6888th. Video by Kalie Shaw

To find the 6th Cavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, it’s best to make use of a GPS. The museum is tucked away from the main road, sitting inside a plain-looking building on the edge of Chickamauga Battlefield and — as the diorama inside will tell you — directly across from a repurposed officer’s house. The most distinct thing about this building is the large sign on the front displaying the name of the museum. 

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