Ceremony Honors Tennessee's Fallen Warrant Officers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -  Tennessee's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Max Haston, paid honor to those fallen Warrant Officers, all Tennesseans from every major conflict since World War II, during a ceremony last Saturday at War Memorial Plaza in Nashville. The date, July 9, 2016, was significant because that is the official birthday of the United States Army Warrant Officer (July 9, 1918). 

The Volunteer Chapter of the United States Army Warrant Officer Association hosted the memorial dedication attended by friends and families of the fallen, members of the Tennessee National Guard, representatives from Fort Campbell, Ky. and National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C., as well as many other guests and retirees. 

"This was one of the most well thought out and dignified events I've had the privilege of speaking at in very long time", said Haston. "We can't repay the debt we owe them, nor can we forget their sacrifices." 

“This has been a project in the making for a little over four years now," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ricky Tackett, association member and project manager for the memorial. "In spite of some of the challenges we faced, I couldn't be happier with the final outcome for these deserving individuals."

The memorial is located at the top of the grand stair case and to the left on War Memorial Plaza. The base is made of granite from a quarry in Georgia and weighs 2700 pounds. A bronze plaque rests on the granite with the names of 28 fallen Tennessee Warrant Officers. Two of the names of the fallen were known members of the Tennessee Army National Guard.

 

Above:  The Tennessee Warrant Officer Memorial on War Memorial Plaza in Nashville.