Veterans Day took on new meaning in Trigg County Monday afternoon, when officials and local citizens gathered in West Cadiz Park — and heard from Judge-Executive Stan Humphries about the newly-formed Trigg County Veterans Memorial Committee.
Behind him, as he spoke — a revealing graphic, and the first look of construction coming near Vinson Cemetery, along U.S. 68 and U.S. 272, and to be completed before March 29, 2025.
This, Humphries noted, is the two-year harrowing anniversary of the two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash that claimed the lives of nine Fort Campbell soldiers — and this opening design has a large concrete pad with multiple benches, two poles for the U.S. and Kentucky flags, and two large stones with nine names.
Eventually, Humphries said the rest of the property — leased by the Perry’s to the county for the next 99 years — will have a garden in the triangular plot nearest Cadiz, and other honorary stones placed reflecting on Trigg County’s military history.
In looking to achieve 501-(c)(3) non-profit status, Humphries said community members will have an opportunity not just to visit the property, but give to it in perpetuity.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal was none other than Genee “GG” Moore — a native of Trigg County who, with her family, has retired from the military and returned to serve this area in several capacities.
The daughter of Happy and Phyllis Moore, she graduated from Trigg County High School in 1997 and attended Hopkinsville Community College before joining in the U.S. Air Force in 1999.
She deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch in October 2000 and later served in Germany before being tasked to the second Bush/Cheney inauguration, as well as disaster relief at Yokota Air Base in Japan for the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear failure.
Just before her honorable discharge, she went back to Kuwait as part of Operation Inherent Resolve as part the ISIS task force.
She is a volunteer for the Cadiz Methodist Church, The Way Christian Youth Center, the Trigg County Historical Society, Woodmen Life and the Veterans Memorial Committee.
Members of the Saturday Sit & Sew unit from the Trigg County Quilters Guild presented her with a pieced effort, one adorned with multiple American flags.
In other Veterans Day Parade news:
— Jonathan Darnall and Dawson Moore raised the American flag.
— The Trigg County High School Band, after marching, played the National Anthem and later had a patriotic medley.
— Steve Mallory, Geoff Baggett, Mark Lacy and Charlie Murphy, all of the Col. Stephen Trigg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, conducted “13 Folds,” wrapping an American flag with the proper triangle presentation.
— Karle Johnson, retired U.S. Army veteran, gave a full explanation of why the POW/MIA table looks as it does.
— LaTrita Russell, U.S. Army and Trigg County Schools employee, sang “God Bless America.”
— And the Pennyrile Honor Guard offered a 21 Gun Salute with Taps.
