MALE_1: The following program is a West Tennessee PBS special presentation made possible through the generous financial support of viewers like you.

Please visit westtnpbs.org and make a donation today so that we can continue to make local programs like this possible.

Thank you.

They've served our country, making sacrifices, and defending our freedom.

All across West Tennessee, communities are coming together to thank our veterans.

Now, on location from Downtown Jackson, West Tennessee PBS presents Honoring Our Veterans, a program dedicated to our local veterans and military personnel.

Here are your hosts: Julie Cooke and Steve Bowers.

Julie Cooke: Welcome to Downtown Jackson for the 9th Annual Jackson-Madison County Julia Cooke: Veterans Day Parade.

Julie Cooke: Hello, I'm Julie Cooke.

Steve Bowers: And I'm Steve Bowers, and it's a beautiful day for a parade to honor all of our veterans.

As we're waiting for the parade to begin, West Tennessee PBS was at the Celebrating Our Veterans service that was held at the Englewood Baptist Church last night.

Let's watch and listen to this program, Honoring Our Veterans.

Kellye Cash: O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what's so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

O say does the star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

FEMALE_1: The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our life, belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens, trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

The sixth fold is where our hearts lie.

It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the public for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they are found within or without our boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to the womanhood and mothers; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in the Hebrew's eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents the emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians' eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust."

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Roy Cash: It is an honor to be with you and the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition, which has pledged to support those who served in pursuit of those high ideals of freedom, security, and opportunity for all, which, after all, is America.

I would like to acknowledge my wife, Billy.

She's sitting on the front row here next to Janice or Jackie.

As she indicated, we married on July 4th, 1963.

If you've got any math skills at all, you can figure out that 60 years we've been married.

Jackie said it would be okay for me to wear my uniform.

But really, the reason I wear my uniform is my wife insists on it.

You see, she still can't resist a sailor in uniform.

To which she always responds, you can always tell a fighter pilot, but you just can't tell him much.

This is the slide that I used when I had command of TOPGUN.

One of the artists there drew this up for me, made me a Wild West outlaw.

Outlaw, by the way, was my call sign throughout my 30 years in the Navy and in fact, my Navy friend still calling me by that, "Hey, Outlaw, how you doing, man?"

That kind of thing.

Or send me an email and ask me that.

To them, I'm Outlaw.

Now, to my most memorable and favorite mission ended like that.

That's a depiction of me in that F-4.

In the bottom right-hand corner, you'll see a flaming aircraft, that's a MiG-21.

Bottom left-hand corner, if you can see it, is a little guy in a parachute.

That's the guy I shot down on July 10th, 1968, and I assumed that's the end of that story.

I don't know whether he survived or not.

But I found out that he did.

The State Department has a department called the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

They still go to Vietnam to search for remains or MIAs and they went over there in 2015 or '16.

Got together with a group of retired North Vietnamese fighter pilots.

Started putting names and dates and places together, connected me and Lieutenant General Pham Phu Thai and put us in contact with each other, and this is what he looks like when he sent a picture of himself.

That's a picture of him when he was the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Now if you know what that means, that means he was the senior officer in their military.

He did not only survive, he thrived and did a lot better than I did in the uniform.

That's a picture he sent, and I thought, my goodness, that's a mean-looking guy.

He looks like he's just condemned somebody to a dungeon or something.

However, 50 years later, the North Vietnamese and our State Department got together and put together a symposium in San Diego, California where they brought about 10-15 North Vietnamese fighter pilots, including him, over to meet us, some of the Navy, Marine, and Air Force guys, that had interacted with them.

They lined up on one side of this big room, us on the other, looked like a Mexican standoff there for a while.

They introduced them one by one and since he was the senior guy, he was introduced first.

He stepped forward, bowed slightly, as an Asian custom, and he said, and he said this through a translator because he didn't speak English.

He said, "Roy Cash, Captain, I'm honor to meet you in San Diego, California and you are welcome come to my country in Hanoi if you promise to come unarmed."

That's how I met him and that's what he looked like.

We have now, instead of warriors fighting in the air, that's the way they translate fighter pilot, we have now become what he calls friends for life, friends forever, and we communicate through Google Translate, and I met his wife and his son, whose name is Son, S-O-N.

Unfortunately, my wife was not able to go with us to meet him, but a wonderful family.

Believe it or not, he's not really a communist, he's a capitalist.

He owns an insurance company in Hanoi and he said, "They let us make as much money as we can as long as we don't reflect badly on the government."

Anyway, that is Pham Phu Thai and one other ironic thing, we have the same birthday, New Year's Eve.

I'm a few years older than him.

In fact, when we did our briefing in San Diego, what he said was, "Roy Cash, Captain," that's the way he comes out in translation, "You should not consider it a big deal that you shot me down, after all I was just a kid."

To which I responded, a good comeback, by the way, I said, "Yes, and I'm glad the Department of Justice here in America didn't find out or they would have prosecuted me for assault on a minor."

Well, I concluded my career, as was mentioned, in Millington as the deputy and chief of staff and retired in 1993, and then did some work with some flight training companies.

My wife and I are blessed to have a wonderful family, Kelly, who you heard singing the national anthem.

Her little brother Carey, five years younger, outranks me.

He is a rear admiral in the Navy.

He is the Deputy Chief of Chaplains.

He's a chaplain.

In a couple of years, unless he messes up, he'll be the Chief of Chaplains for the US Navy.

He gave me the honor of promoting him at our home back a little over a year ago, and I was the first one to salute the admiral.

We're very proud of him.

Our two children have given us twelve grandkids and four great grandkids.

It's our prayer that they will continue to enjoy the blessings of liberty envisioned by our founding fathers.

For all who have served and for those who are serving now, for those who sacrificed, gave their lives, their fortunes, I present to you Ragged Old Flag.

I walked through a county courthouse square.

On a park bench, an old man sitting there.

I said, "Your courthouse looks kind of run down."

He said, "No, it'll do for our little town."

I said, "But your flagpole is leaned a little bit, and that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it."

He said, "Have a seat," and I sat down.

"Is this the first time you've been to our little town?"

he said.

I said, "I think it is."

He said, "No, I don't like to brag, but we're kind of proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

You see, he got a little hole in that flag there when Washington took it across the Delaware.

And it got powder-burned the time Francis Scott Key sat watching it writing say can you see.

It got a little rip in New Orleans with Packingham and Jackson tugging at its seams, and it almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas flag, but waves on it.

It got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville, and got cut again at Shiloh Hill.

There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg.

Well, the South wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.

On Flanders Field in World War I, she got a big hole from a Bertha gun.

She turned blood red in World War II, but stood strong and proud by the time it was through.

She was in Korea, Vietnam.

She goes where she sent by her Uncle Sam.

Native Americans, African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and whites have all shed red blood for those stars and stripes.

She flies from our ships upon the briny foam, but they've just about quit waving back here at home.

Why in her own good land she's been abused, burned, dishonored, denied, refused, and the government for which she stands scandalized throughout the land.

She's getting threadbare wearing thin.

She's in good shape for the shape she's in.

She's been through the fire before, and back on 911, three firefighters raised her from the ashes once more.

He paused and wiped a tear away and said, "Mister, we got to thank our God each and every day because all those Americans that fought and died that bought us our freedom and our patriot's pride."

We got to make sure we exercise those rights and stand in allegiance to those stars and stripes.

We raise her up every morning, make her down slow at night.

We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her upright.

You know, mister?

On second thought, I guess I do like the brag because I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag.

FEMALE_1: We call your attention to the small table which occupies a place of honor near the head table.

It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our Armed Forces are missing from our ranks.

They're referred to as POWs/MIAs, our comrades in arms.

They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join them with this humble tribute.

This table set for one is small, symbolizing the fatality of one prisoner alone against an army of his suppressors.

The single red rose in the vase reminds us of the family and friends of our missing brothers who keep the faith while awaiting their return.

The red ribbon on the vase represents the red ribbons worn on our lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination or proper accounting of our brothers who are not among us tonight.

A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.

The sauce sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless volunteers of families as they wait.

The glass is inverted.

They cannot toast with us this night.

The chair is empty as they are not here.

The candles reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captures to the open arms of a grateful nation.

Let us pray to the Supreme Commandant that all our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.

Let us remember.

MALE_2: United States Army.

JSCC Innovation: Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail, and the Army goes rolling along.

In and out, hear them shout, counter march and right about, and the Army goes rolling along.

Then it's heigh, heigh, hee in the field artillery, shout out your numbers loud and strong.

For where'er you go, you will always know that the Army goes rolling along.

MALE_2: The United States Marine.

JSCC Innovation: From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we will fight our country's battles in the air, on land, and sea.

First to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean.

We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marine.

MALE_2: The United States Navy.

JSCC Innovation: Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh.

Farewell to foreign shores, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.

Through our last night ashore, drink to the foam.

Until we meet once more, here's wishing you a happy voyage home.

MALE_2: The United States Coast Guard.

JSCC Innovation: We're always ready for the call, we place our trust in Thee.

Through surf and storm and howling gale, high shall our purpose be.

"Semper Paratus" is our guide, our fame and glory, too.

To fight to save, to fight and die, aye, Coast Guard we are for you.

MALE_2: The United States Air Force.

JSCC Innovation: Off we go into the wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sun.

Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, at em now, give 'em the gun.

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, off with one helluva roar.

We live in fame or go down in flame.

Hey, nothing'll stop the US Air Force.

God bless America, land that I love.

Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, land that I love.

Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

FEMALE_2: Remember, honor, and impart the values and price of freedom.

That is a mission for every citizen of the United States of America to embrace who lives under the flag of liberty.

During our brief history as a nation, hundreds of thousands of our finest have laid down their lives for the cause of our freedom.

Then approximately 83,000 over the last century alone were captured, suffering unspeakable torment, while others became missing and have not yet been found.

Meanwhile, countless others have sustained injuries, some which healed, while other wounds were life-altering, leaving the veteran to cope daily with a high level of anguish, often impossible to speak of.

Today, we honor, we remember, and we thank all of these ones who suffered on our behalf for the cause of liberty and most especially those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom have given all.

At this time, I would like to call your attention to the table set before you, where you will see a place setting to represent all of those who cannot join us today.

Beside the table stands a rifle placed carefully within a pair of worn boots, capped with a helmet, while the rifle is draped with dog tags.

This is also known as the soldier's cross, a memorial to those who have perished in battle.

This soldier's cross or battlefield cross has its origin dating to the Civil War in that, when soldiers were hastily buried between battles, the rifle was stabbed into the ground to mark their final resting place.

Anything which identified the falling was placed on the rifle so others would know who eternally rested there.

Today, service members of the battlefield were often unable to attend the funerals of their fallen brothers and sisters in arms.

So the battlefield cross or soldier's cross, is placed in honor of those who have perished as a way to pay their last respects.

The rightful bayonet affixed is the most important tool to the United States fighting man or woman.

It is its core to their livelihood and the key to their survival.

It is the thrust into the ground, signifying that the one being remembered died in battle fighting to the end.

It also signifies that the battle is over when the rifle is left this way.

The boots carry a service member through the fight for our freedom.

They are the first and most important means of transportation.

The boots are placed at the base of the rifle.

They are worn and dirty, reminding us that the final march to the last battle.

Dog tags are worn by each service member.

They have imprinted into them all the important identifying information regarding the individual.

The dog tags are hung from the rifle so that the name of the fallen will never be forgotten.

The helmet is an important piece of protection on the battlefield, some believe that the hat or helmet of the individual represents what the person stood for.

The helmet is placed on the top of the rifle, signifying that the battle is over and that a great sacrifice has been made.

It will never be worn again.

The soldier's cross or battlefield cross stands in tribute in memory as we honor, we remember, and never forget.

Steve Bowers: Welcome back to Downtown Jackson.

You were watching the Celebrating Our Veterans service, which has become an annual event in November to honor all local veterans.

Julie Cooke: It looks like the parade is about to begin.

Let's watch as they kick off things with a special ceremony outside the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

MALE_3: O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight o'’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket'’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Thank you.

Scott Conger: Well, good morning, everyone.

It's an honor to be here.

I want to thank the Veterans Coalition for organizing this event every year.

We have a proclamation for our Veterans Appreciation Day to read.

Whereas together we gather with military veterans of the United States of America to honor with dignity the service of our veterans, patriots, and citizens.

Whereas the American veterans affirm a steadfast friend of our nation and a defender of freedom, who has shown that adversity can be overcome in defense of their country.

Whereas the American story tells of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm's way, and who fought hour after hour and day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear.

Whereas our veterans answered our country's call and served with honor and pride.

Whereas Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day in November 11th, 1919, Veterans Day became a national holiday beginning in November 11th, 1938.

The name was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight Eisenhower.

Whereas today we come together to celebrate the American bravery, charity, and valor, both in war and in peace, of those who or who have been a light of inspiration in our free democracy.

Now therefore, we, AJ Massey, mayor of Madison County, Tennessee, and Scott Conger, mayor of the city of Jackson, Tennessee, to hereby proclaim Saturday, November 11th, 2023 as Veterans Appreciation Day in Jackson and Madison County.

As we honor all veterans, past, present, and future, we urge all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in Jackson and Madison County to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.

Steve Bowers: Well, the parade is underway, Julie.

Julie Cooke: You can hear it.

Steve Bowers: You can hear it.

We're about to see it.

We'll start off with the Jackson Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

The Veterans Day Parade is underway in 2023 here in Downtown Jackson.

Julie Cooke: I take that we're going to give ourselves a rest.

Steve Bowers: Give ourselves a rest listen to the sirens.

Julie Cooke: Sheriff's department, City Fire, Madison County Fire.

Steve Bowers: Stan Fugate is US Army retired with the Madison County Sheriff's Office in one of those entries.

As you're seeing, Sheriff Julian Wiser is in the parade.

We got a lot of folks that are going to be featured right here, early going.

Julie Cooke: That's a beautiful day for it, no doubt about that.

Steve Bowers: A perfect day for the parade.

All these, of course, are frontline responders, Jackson Fire Department, the Madison County Sheriff's Department.

Once again, Stan Fugate is the Army retired and then Julian Wiser.

Julie Cooke: Jackson Fire Department Chief Don Friddle.

Steve Bowers: Those are always impressive units.

Julie Cooke: Kids love them.

Didn't you love the fire truck?

Steve Bowers: Oh, yeah, absolutely.

Julie Cooke: Want to ride one of those big old red trucks.

Steve Bowers: Of course, the Madison County Fire Department as well.

Julie Cooke: They're all been getting ready for their big fireworks.

4th of July party, no doubt about that.

Steve Bowers: Chiefs, good to see you.

Julie Cooke: That Madison County Fire Chief Eric Turner.

Steve Bowers: Got a first presentation coming up as far as Color Guard and all.

Julie Cooke: The Liberty High School Air Force Junior ROTC headed up by Sergeant Marty Moore.

Steve Bowers: That's being followed by the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition.

Julie Cooke: They work so very hard to get this together.

And so many other wonderful events.

They just had the military ball that's always around this time of year.

The Veterans Day Parade, Grand Marshal Wayne Collins.

Steve Bowers: The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7 out of Jackson, Tennessee.

Julie Cooke: We've got several folks in that truck.

We've got Carlos and Lynd [inaudible] Wayne and Jackie Collins, Lionel Forbes, Donny Lee Brooks, Phil Dozer, Hannah and Robert Blatton, Charlie Green, David Johnson, and John Bernhardt riding with Amanda Harvey.

Very glad to have them today.

Steve Bowers: They have five units in with Disabled American Veterans.

Julie Cooke: Wonderful.

Steve Bowers: Coming up next, of course, Miss Volunteer America, which is Hannah Perrigin in the parade today.

Julie Cooke: Correct, right here in Jackson, Tennessee.

Steve Bowers: Yes.

What a great thing to have that national pageant in this city.

Julie Cooke: And how beautiful she is.

Hi there.

Steve Bowers: That's a pageant that continues to grow now with contestants coming in from all 50 states.

We're in Downtown Jackson for the Veterans Parade 2023 here on Public Television for West Tennessee.

Julie Cooke: So exciting because you can watch in this special Channel 11 Veterans Program any time streaming, on demand.

You have to download the PBS app on your smart TV, Roku, phone, or tablet, and all of Channel 11's local programs can be found there.

You can also watch when you want, along with all your other shows.

This will be recorded, also the veterans program last night at Englewood Church.

Steve Bowers: That's right.

Julie Cooke: You can watch it at a later date.

Steve Bowers: We have the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition coming up next to the parade, as we continue from Downtown Jackson Veterans Day 2023.

I think Burgess Smith's classic Chevrolet is coming up here as well.

Julie Cooke: Oh, I love this.

Jackie Utley hosting local veterans, and the truck is pulled by James Madison, the Golden James Madison chapter.

Steve Bowers: They work so hard on this parade this year.

Julie Cooke: Absolutely.

Steve Bowers: Well, it's good to see Burgess Smith in that classic.

Julie Cooke: Oh my goodness.

Steve Bowers: Chevrolet, 1931.

The DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution Jackson-Madison Chapter and their entrance in spring.

We continue to the live coverage Downtown Jackson WLJT Public Television for West Tennessee.

It's Veterans Day 2023.

Julie Cooke: Everybody's decked out in red, white, and blue.

Steve Bowers: The DAR, yes, they do a lot of work, do they not, in this community.

Julie Cooke: Tremendous amount.

Steve Bowers: Got a Marine car here coming up, and that is Larry and Marvin Luther.

Julia Cooke: I think we've got before that the Marine car.

Let's see.

That would be Lawrence Ragland in that one I believe in the Marine car.

Then Brookdale Jackson Oaks.

We know that primarily as Jackson Oaks with the veterans riding.

Julie Cooke: Of course, Amber Storey-Knight Julia Cooke: puts that together every year.

Steve Bowers: For the herb and all of the good folks here.

The Vet Center.

Julia Cooke: What a wonderful event.

Steve Bowers: Fred Smith and crew.

Julia Cooke: Let's see.

Steve Bowers: Golden Years.

Julia Cooke: Brenda Triplett.

I think they've found some friends over there.

Steve Bowers: Toss out some candy.

You're going to draw a crowd.

Julia Cooke: Absolutely.

Hi, ladies.

Yes.

Somebody's got some candy.

Steve Bowers: We got some Girl Scouts, the heart of the South, Girl Scout Division here.

Julia Cooke: Is it cookie time yet?

Steve Bowers: Well, yes, it has been.

But I always look forward to it, yes.

Julia Cooke: I look forward to it, but they don't last very long.

That's the thing about that.

Look at this cutie.

Steve Bowers: For the Girl Scouts Heart Of The South.

Julia Cooke: Hi, ladies.

Crystal Webb in charge of that.

I'm glad to see Girl Scouts are alive and well.

Steve Bowers: Doing well.

Julia Cooke: Grew up being a scout.

Steve Bowers: They are a fixture here in Jackson, West Tennessee for generations now.

Julia Cooke: Changing and evolving to meet the time.

Steve Bowers: Jackson Exchange Club here.

Is this your crew?

Julia Cooke: Jackson Exchange Club.

Yes, I believe it is.

Let's see.

I think she's still with the Girl Scouts.

Steve Bowers: Girl Scouts.

Julia Cooke: This red.

Steve Bowers: Here we go, there's Jackson Exchange Club.

Julia Cooke: Tawnya Moore and Uncle Sam.

Yes, sir.

Steve Bowers: Got it decked out today.

Julia Cooke: Uncle Sam in that red drop-top with Ms. Tawnya Moore.

Steve Bowers: We're just underway with the Veterans Parade coming to you from Downtown Jackson 2023.

It's aligned perfectly because it is actually Veterans Day today, and it's in perfect weather, Julia.

You can't have better weather for a parade.

Julia Cooke: I think this is going to still be part of the Jackson Exchange Club.

Come on, Trey Cleek.

Julie Cooke: You are lagging behind, fella.

Steve Bowers: Got a gap in the parade.

Here he comes.

He's catching up.

Julia Cooke: He is catching up.

Right behind then, that's not even Trey.

Julie Cooke: I think that's father-in-law of Trey.

Julia Cooke: I wonder where the folks went.

The Al Chymia Shrine.

Now they have eight cars.

I know you've seen these cars and trucks before for the Al Chymia Shrine Group.

Hermon Odle in charge of that today.

But for the next eight cars, starting with this fancy red there.

Hello.

There's the Exchange Club president, Melanie Luckey and Rita Mac.

A lot of folks know Rita.

She sings and volunteers for the Carl Perkins Center.

Steve Bowers: The Rusty Mac Adopt a Teen program.

It's under way already.

Julia Cooke: Rusty Mac Adopt a Teen, absolutely.

Julie Cooke: We'll be talking more about that.

Steve Bowers: Part of the tradition of West Tennessee.

Here we go with Al Chymia Shrine.

Julia Cooke: I think it's a dual purpose.

That's [inaudible].

Steve Bowers: He's part of the shrine as well.

You do a double duty, now we got the Shriners.

Julia Cooke: You go down all the trouble to get those vehicles together.

You want to get them out as much as you can.

Steve Bowers: They are a great picture and there's generations here in West Tennessee with the Shriners.

Julia Cooke: Hi there, Jojo.

Now here comes.

Steve Bowers: I'll let you describe it.

Al Chymia Shrine.

Hill Billie vehicle out.

Julia Cooke: Hill Billie vehicle.

Steve Bowers: There are several of those.

Julia Cooke: No trespassing.

This one's got lots going on.

The Al Chymia Shrine Hill Billies.

We ride so children can walk, Julie Cooke: Shriners Hospital.

Steve Bowers: Shriners Hospital's amazing work.

Burn center and Cripple Children's Hospital have been amazing thing.

There's the Auxiliary as well.

Let's break the foot already with the Veterans Parade in Jackson, Tennessee in this year 2023.

Julia Cooke: American Legion.

I think this is another American Legion car from Post 12 Auxiliary.

Anita Kirk in charge of that vehicle.

That's a little old Falcon.

How cute is that?

Steve Bowers: The Captain Jack Holland Marine Corps League Detachment and all coming up.

Julia Cooke: Bryce West in that group there.

Now let's see, we'll have still from the Marine Corps League Detachment 735 truck.

Steve Bowers: Miss TriStar Volunteer, Lydia Fisher, included in all that.

Great to see everybody.

Great cross-section of people in this parade.

Julia Cooke: Don't forget Toys for Tots.

US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots, and you'll see those boxes around at different retail stores that you can donate.

Steve Bowers: This is American Women of Service being featured in the BlueOval Ford electric truck.

BlueOval City changing things in West Tennessee.

Glad to see them in the parade this year.

Julia, we've got a whole bunch of folks coming up.

I guess all with the Scout to Boys Scouts.

Julia Cooke: Yes, we do.

Let's see.

There's some more Girl Scouts.

Steve Bowers: Girl Scouts coming by.

Julia Cooke: That's Troop 40116.

Charity Mackie in charge of that.

Steve Bowers: Now the West Tennessee Area Council, the Boy Scouts of America.

Julia Cooke: Great to see.

That's a really nice-sized group.

Hi there.

Yes.

You were with them when they did the flag-burning ceremony, the Boys Scouts.

Steve Bowers: Flag retirement.

Julia Cooke: Flag retirement at the Casey Jones Village.

I believe the ashes are buried there too as well.

Steve Bowers: West Tennessee Channel 11 is replaying all these special veterans programs multiple times.

If you want to watch it again, you just go to westtnpbs.org for dates and airtimes.

It's part of the continuing effort of Channel 11 to become truly Public Television for West Tennessee, and they've done an amazing job over the last several months and expanding.

Julia Cooke: So exciting, yes.

Steve Bowers: The Lane College parade.

So many things are now being picked up and carried by WLJT to really showcase our special way of life.

We are America, and we live the American dream every day here in West Tennessee, and I like it.

Julia Cooke: Absolutely.

A lot of folks, when you go by, if you're on Campbell in Highland, pretty much that corner, you'll know that for many years there was a frame shop and trophy shop, and that's where PBS has been setting up shop.

They've got a lot of renovations going there, extending their operation, not moving from Martin, of course, but just adding another aspect of West Tennessee to get out to cover things, and the events we've been talking about and today's events, and really plugging into communities around parts of the county and West Tennessee.

Steve Bowers: WLJT picked up the mayoral debates this year in the City of Jackson this past year.

So they've really expanded what they are doing, community profiles and many things of people here in West Tennessee.

They've left West Tennessee and done outstanding things in their lives and careers.

It's a combination of focus on what's going on here and then people from here that are touching the world in special ways.

You're seeing it all now on WLJT Public Television for West Tennessee.

The crew has done an amazing job.

There's a lot of set up to cover things such as this and these guys and girls get out early, and we appreciate the crew and everybody else that's involved here.

Six o' clock in this morning o'clock.

Julia Cooke: Somebody is whispering to my ear.

We've been here since 6:00.

I think we came about 10 o'clock.

Steve Bowers: Somewhere around.

Julia Cooke: Maybe 9:30, something like that.

But yes.

What an amazing staff.

Steve Bowers: They won't be helping trying to set any of these stuff up.

You know what I mean?

Julia Cooke: There's lots of wires.

Steve Bowers: Lots of wires.

A lot know-how and technical stuffs.

Julia Cooke: Everybody has their gifts that they are gifted, and all those wires and plugins.

I'm not gifted in that way.

Steve Bowers: I want to remind you, all of this is possible because of your donations.

Channel 11 is commercial-free, so that means they rely on donations from viewers, and you can support Channel 11 like going to westtnpbs and clicking the Donate button, and your donations pay for more local productions like the one that you're seeing right now.

This parade in Downtown Jackson doesn't happen by accident.

It happens because of your support and it's commercial-free television.

It's a special, special addition to life here in Jackson and West Tennessee.

Julia Cooke: I love hearing that music coming around.

Steve Bowers: We got a band on the way.

We got the mass band now from the Jackson-Madison County School System.

Julia Cooke: Jackson-Madison County School System mass band.

Steve Bowers: They've combined all the high school bands into one unit, and it's an impressive addition to this parade this year.

Julia Cooke: I'm so glad it's sunny today so we can see all those metallic threads and the flags, how beautiful they look.

That would be the Drill Team, and then the flag corp. Steve Bowers: The flag corp. Military-style rifles and also.

It's an impressive combination of students from the Jackson-Madison County School System.

Well done.

Julia Cooke: That's a lot of work.

You got to get together and practicing and make sure everything is so perfectly in step.

That must be Ms. Krista White with the backpack there leading them up.

Julie Cooke: A lot of folks don't realize that members of the school band.

Steve Bowers: Yes.

Julie Cooke: They worked just as hard as any of the athletes.

Steve Bowers: They work hard.

Julie Cooke: I think a lot of times they don't get their due.

I wish they did.

Steve Bowers: High school band.

All the years I was in high school thoroughly and loved it.

But yes, a lot of work.

Julie Cooke: All the heat, all the workout.

Steve Bowers: Most impressive.

Glad to see that combined band.

Now, we got the Elks Lodge 192, Wayne Woodson Crew.

Julie Cooke: There's our friends.

Hi there.

Wayne, Pam, and Laurie and I can't see who's on the other side.

Always looking great.

They do so much tremendous work.

Steve Bowers: Elks born in the 1880s in this city, so they've been a part of the scene for a long time.

Composed of actors back in the days.

We'll talk about this a lot.

Julie Cooke: Milton Stein, the B-Team.

Steve Bowers: The B-Team.

Julie Cooke: Here they come and take it.

There you go.

That's Milton Stein.

Miss Jackson Volunteer and Miss Madison County Volunteer winners.

Beth Murley, the pageant director for these pageants.

Look at these ladies with their crowns just shining.

Hi there.

Steve Bowers: Carlock Automotive help sponsor these vehicles.

Julie Cooke: There's more.

Madison County Volunteer Gracyn Van Winkle and MaKayla Murphy is Miss Madison County Volunteer Iris Teen.

Steve Bowers: The Conner Realty Group coming up next, Al and Brenda Locke.

Things moving rapidly now in this parade.

Coming up next will be the Parkway Christian Auto Club.

Julie Cooke: Now this will be a sight.

Steve Bowers: They do great work in raising money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and other things here with their shows.

Julie Cooke: There are 12 vehicles.

Steve Bowers: Is that right?

Julie Cooke: In this group.

Absolutely.

Steve Bowers: Chris Taylor putting all this together.

Julie Cooke: They have a couple of car shows a year.

Steve Bowers: They do.

Julie Cooke: They've been with us maybe spring and fall.

Steve Bowers: They do.

Last, they had up at auto zone and it was a huge parking lot there and they had nearly 200 entries.

They had a fantastic turnout.

Julie Cooke: I think I see one I like up here.

What is that?

What's that Blue Wood Steve?

Steve Bowers: That's a Studebaker, I think, from the Banks, right?

Now, you're pushing me a bit, there's the thing.

It's a Studebaker, I'm not sure.

Julie Cooke: How fun?

Somebody said I think it's great.

Steve Bowers: Rob Roy and all these folks out there.

Good to see you, buddy.

Julie Cooke: A Gran Torino, is that what that says?

Or Gran something else?

Steve Bowers: But it's a Studebaker, you all wouldn't worry about that.

Julie Cooke: No, not Torino.

Steve Bowers: Sometimes age has benefits.

That is, you don't have to study, just remember it.

Look at one of these classic Camaros.

Look, we've got a Ford coming up here, now that goes back in the 1950s.

Julie Cooke: That's gorgeous.

I want to say that was in the Christmas parade last year.

I think I saw that orange one because you just can't take your eyes off it.

Steve Bowers: You see.

Julie Cooke: It's red Covertte.

Steve Bowers: We've got an orange bug with a UT logo on it.

Julie Cooke: But look at this pearl, that's pearl finish on the top of that roof.

Is that not gorgeous?

Steve Bowers: The Parkway Christian Auto Club.

Julie Cooke: Ford Galaxie, is that what it says?

Ford Galaxie?

Steve Bowers: Ford Galaxie 500.

Galaxie 500 back in the days.

Julie Cooke: Wow.

Steve Bowers: Convertible, too.

Hey, good afternoon.

We're getting that Go Vols sign.

Let's shift down here right quickly.

Great entries.

Now we've got coming up the Clarksburg, is that right?

Julie Cooke: Clarksburg Girl Scout Troop 480.

Well, it's actually 40118, 40238.

Steve Bowers: Madison County Republican Women here.

Julie Cooke: The ladies getting in on the act.

Got three cars and 12 walkers in Madison County.

Constitutional Republicans and the women.

The 30 walkers in the women's group.

Steve Bowers: Then we've got, let's see, the Urban Defense Gun Club for Veterans appreciation there coming through.

Several entries here related to community organizations.

Julie Cooke: We've probably got, what, about 60 entries.

Steve Bowers: Yeah.

Julie Cooke: I know we had several groups of cars.

Steve Bowers: The Defense Gun Club for Veterans and their appreciation, and We the People of West Tennessee, Ray Condray and crew, and the Madison County Constitutional Republicans.

Representative Chris Todd amongst those, Ray Condray.

It's good to see everybody involved in this.

Julie Cooke: This is the We the People of West Tennessee.

Steve Bowers: Yes, We the People.

Julie Cooke: There's Mr. Bryant, I believe.

Steve Bowers: Sure is.

It's Cindy Bryant.

Good to see the former Congressman, US Attorney for West Tennessee.

Urban Defense Gun.

We've got a lot of different groups here and the Phi Beta Sorority as well.

The Veterans Parade continuing in Downtown Jackson.

Good to see everybody.

Great cross-section of this community represented here today.

That was the Gamma Zeta and West Tennessee PBS.

How did they get into the parade?

Julie Cooke: Absolutely.

Really, how did they get in the mix?

There's my friend, Cowboy Dan.

Hi, my friend.

Cowboy Dan: How are you?

Steve Bowers: They know you.

Julie Cooke: Cowboy Dan.

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Riders.

They are always busy doing something.

Steve Bowers: Tennessee State Veterans Home.

Serving those who have served.

We're about to wrap this up, Julie, already.

Julie Cooke: I think so, seemed like we just got started.

But what a great day.

I love seeing all these kids here.

I love seeing all these kids here passing out flags and waving flags.

There was a group over the interstate waving on Veterans Day.

Steve Bowers: Yes, yesterday.

Julie Cooke: Did you see that?

Steve Bowers: I saw that.

Of course, the big special ceremony last night from Englewood Baptist Church and we had shared highlights of that as well.

So it's been a very special day.

I wanted to make sure that we recognize Erica and Linda Hill and all the folks at the Nu Gamma Zeta and the different folks that were passing by in this parade because a lot of effort goes into this.

Julie Cooke: Absolutely.

Steve Bowers: Jack Yale and all the folks that have organized this parade worked so hard, Barry Ross and all the people that put in the time to put this together.

Great addition to Downtown Jackson and the West Tennessee.

Julie Cooke: Veterans Coalition, too, has, of course, the military ball that's held every year.

Now goes to a crisis fund for veterans.

If they need car payment, house payment, electricity, just temporary shelter, whatever.

They had that up.

Steve Bowers: Had to do it.

Some people raise questions about this because they're veterans benefits and everything else and there are, but sometimes there are emergency needs and it takes time to get people sometimes qualified or work through the bureaucracy that protects everyone by making sure that people that are getting veterans benefits and all deserve those.

But sometimes there are immediate needs and they've been very, very successful.

Julie Cooke: Sure.

Steve Bowers: Local VFWs and everything else, so it's a real special day.

Julie Cooke: They can be very proud.

Of course, there's always more to do, but I know the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition, we'd love to hear from you if you'd love to help with that support.

Please don't forget, too, that West Tennessee PBS, as far as your donations, commercial free, the programming relies on donations from viewers.

You can support Channel 11.

Just go to West TN PBS and click the donate button.

But this is going to be a very special program that will be repeated several times.

The program last night from Englewood Church, Salute to Veterans, and this Veterans Day Parade, the ninth annual.

We thank you so much for being with us today.

Always enjoy being with you, Steve Bowers.

Steve Bowers: It's always good to be with you, Julie.

It certainly is.

A reminder, again, westtnpbs.org.

You get dates and times and everything else.

Until next time, right?

Julie Cooke: Good day.

Steve Bowers: A blessed Veterans Day to all from Public Television West Tennessee, WLJT.

MALE_1: Thank you for watching this special presentation from West Tennessee PBS, Honoring Our Veterans.

Please remember to take time to thank the veterans in your life.

This program you've been watching was made possible through the generous financial support of West Tennessee PBS viewers like you.

Please visit westtnpbs.org and make a donation today so that we can continue to make local programs like this possible.

Thank you.