Remembering the Sacrifice
BY DALE WELCH
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“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Those bold enduring words were part of the Declaration of Independence, adopted 250 years ago, declaring America’s independence from a tyrant king. Bold words such as those had to be backed up with actions. The king just didn’t agree and bid them farewell. It was about the money, by George(King George’s)! From the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and all the threats to those freedoms, either foreign or domestic until today, the burden has been borne upon, and the price paid by young men and women in their late teens into their twenties.
Whether threats to our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness came from foreign or domestic sources they saw their duty and were quick to answer. There we so many eager to defend those rights, that Tennessee was nickname the “Volunteer State.” But it came at a price.
As far back as the War of 1812, before there was a Putnam Co. and just six years after there was qn Overton and White County, local pioneers headed off to war alongside Gen. Andrew Jackson to defend against a second British invasion at the Battle of New Orleans. Of the only thirteen men that Gen. Jackson lost, was Stephen Townsend, in Col. Stephen Copdland’s command and who was also his son-in-law. Many local families today descend from both of those men.
Countless local men gave their lives during the Civil War, on both sides, most of their names are forgotten, except by the efforts of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War that perpetuate their memory. It was during that era that the Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, as it was called began. It took until 1971 to be declared a national holiday.
All across the Upper Cumberland, at county courthouses and other places, the list of names grows with each war. The sons and daughters of our country who had hopes and dreams of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, laid down their lives as a supreme sacrifice so that their families could dream ever bigger dreams.
As you enjoy you day on the lake catching that big fish or watching the races, or watching ballgames, flipping burgers on the grill, putting the burn on those hot dogs, take time to reflect and say, “Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.” Never ever forget!
Photos: Both buried in Whittaker Cemetery, Pvt. Gordon Klope was a coal miner when he left out for World War I. He was killed in action in France. Lt. Joeph Riddle was in both the Mexican War, fighting in the US Army, and was a Lt. in Murrays 4th Cavalfy, Confederate States of America.He survived that war, but was wounded by Tinker Dave Beaty’s Independent Scouts.