KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – June 16, 2023 – Local officials, Veterans, and supporters of Knox County students gathered at Knoxville’s West High School auditorium to unveil six new Hero Cards. The cards feature six East Tennessee service members who gave “the last full measure of devotion” to our country.
Members of the six Heroes’ families were on hand to participate in the unveiling and to receive a commemorative display from Hero Cards Benefit Corp.
The event highlighted sponsorship of the Grateful Nation Project for 90 schools in Knox County, funded by the Vietnam Veterans of America (Captain Bill Robinson Chapter 1078). The day’s keynote speaker was Captain (ret.) Bill Robinson, a U.S. Air Force veteran who was held as a Prisoner of War for nearly six years in Vietnam.
Eddie Mannis, Founder of HonorAir Knoxville, addresses the audience at the June 16 Hero Cards presentation.
The day’s activities were organized by the office of Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, District Curriculum Specialist John Faulconer, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association (ETVMA).
Watch the video from the office of Knox County Mayor, Glenn Jacobs
“Often when we have days like Memorial Day and we look at monuments and we see the names of people who have died in service to this country,” said Knox County Mayor, Glenn Jacobs,” But we don’t think about the story behind that. We just see the names. And I think that anytime we can do things to reinforce the fact that these are real people—and they were ordinary people thrust into sometimes terrible circumstances—that did extraordinary things. So it’s not only about the individuals represented on these cards but also the values that they embody.”
The six featured Heroes are:
First Sergeant Milo Lemert (Hero 118)
First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman, Jr. (Hero 121)
Second Lieutenant Jane M. Blevins (Hero 122)
Sergeant Thomas Roy Hicks (Hero 129)
Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss (Hero 133)
Captain Marcus R. Alford, Sr. (Hero 134)
