A picture of an American flag with soldiers and the Statue of Liberty superimposed on top of the flag

VOM – April 2025

Thomas Raymond Rogers U.S. Navy 1981 – Thomas Raymond Rogers was born on 1 April 1958 in Phillippi, West Virginia (WV), and grew up on a dairy farm outside of Lumberport, WV. He graduated from Lumberport High School in 1975 and attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, where he

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Soldiers in camouflage gear during field exercise.

VOM – July 2023

Ronald Dale Boling U.S. Navy 1986 – 2013 Ronald Dale Boling is a native of Sevierville, Tennessee. He enlisted in the Navy in January 1986 as an undesignated seaman. Following boot camp, he was stationed onboard the USS Norfolk (SSN-714) as a deck seaman. He received approval to become a

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Sailors in uniform standing on aircraft carrier.

VOM – November 2023

Georgia Kathrine Desjarlais U.S. Navy Born in Chattanooga, Tenn., to Lowell and Lucy Lawson, Kathy was raised in Fayette County, where she joined the Navy at 17, shortly before graduating from high school. Since Hospital Corpsman “A” school “female billets” were filled for the near future, Kathy signed up for

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A picture of an American flag with soldiers and the Statue of Liberty superimposed on top of the flag

VOM – November 2024

Kenneth Wayne Terry  U.S. Marine Corps 1970 – 1991 In April 1970, Kenneth enlisted in the United States Marine Corps’ delayed enlistment program under an “Aviation Guarantee Contract.”  He attended Marine Corps Boot Camp at San Diego, Calif., in September 1970 before completing training as an Aviation Ordnance Man in

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American flag

VOM – July 2024

A. Jason Fleming U.S. Army / TANG 1989 – 2021 Born in 1963 in Covington, Tenn., Jason is a 1981 graduate of Covington High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Management from the University of Tennessee at Martin. After college graduation, he began his career

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Soldiers inside military aircraft during transit.

VOM – May 2025

Neil Andrew Higgins U.S. Army 1984 – 2009 Born in London, England and raised in Jamaica, West Indies, Neil Higgins was commissioned in the United States Army as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in 1984. Some of his key operational assignments during his 25 years

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A photograph of a 135R Stratotanker flying while refueling an aircraft

VOM – January 2025

Robert Earl Beckett, Jr. USAF 1967-1991 Robert Earl Beckett, Jr. was born Feb. 5, 1944, and grew up in South Memphis where he was captain of the 1962 South Side High School football team. At his graduation, the school honored him by retiring his jersey number. After Earl graduated from

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Vintage military airplane flying in cloudy sky.

VOM – March 2016

Mervin Byson “MB” Howard (April 18, 1923 ~ June 6, 2019) US Air Force 1943-1972 WWII Bomber Navigator honored as March Veteran of the Month By Sherri Onorati, Special to The Leader Mervin Byson Howard, better known as M.B. to friends and family, was honored last week as the March

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a photo of the US Navy submarine, USS Grayback

VOM – November 2017

Jerry Eugene Beckley US Army 1948-1951 / US Navy 1951 – 1978 Born on Christmas Eve 1933 in Bakersfield, California, Jerry was a child of the depression, spending his youth in Texas as well as California. On July 21, 1948, a tender but mature 14-year-old Jerry enlisted in the U.S.

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American flag

VOM – June 2018

Grady William Turnbow, Jr. US Navy, 1950 – 1980 Born on July 6, 1932, Grady Turnbow enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves in Columbus, Ohio at the age of 17 and transitioned to the regular Navy at age 18. In May of 1950 he attended boot camp at Great Lakes,

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