Cook: Five flags and Veterans Day

Behind every flag, a story.

This Wednesday, in what has become one of the most meaningful ceremonies of the year, city leaders, families and citizens will gather at the Bluff View Sculpture Garden overlooking Veterans Bridge and watch as city workers install crisp new flags – red, white and blue – on the bridge, each flag representing the life of one area veteran.

Like Royce Kilgore, who slipped out of the Howard School months before graduation to enlist in the Army and fight fascism. After World War II, he became a postman, which means he essentially devoted his entire adult life to the service of his country. (He was also the father of five, grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of nine.)

And Roger Ingvalson, shot down over Vietnam in ’68 and held prisoner for five years. Back home, his wife died, so when Ingvalson was freed, he returned to Chattanooga to a motherless 13-year-old son. Awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars, he remade their life: marrying the widow of a best Air Force bud, creating a charity that ministers to local prisoners, serving as elder in his church, and, before he died two Christmas Eves ago, donating a kidney to his brother, extending his life by 10 years.

Dale Smith, sergeant in the Air Force, who signed up for four tours of duty over 26 years. Coming home in ’88, he pledged himself for one final act of duty: taking care of his mother until her death.

This Veterans’ Day ceremony? It allows regular folks – you, me – to adopt one bridge flag in honor of a beloved veteran. For $75, the flag will fly for six months; when it’s removed, you keep it, along with a personal proclamation from the mayor.

If you’ve never witnessed this flag ceremony, you should attend.

Especially this Wednesday.

“We will be honoring the five soldiers who gave their lives in defense of their country right here in Chattanooga,” said Mayor Andy Berke.

This year, five flags will be raised in honor of the men who died in the July 16 shootings.

Carson Holmquist.

Randall Smith.

Thomas Sullivan.

Skip Wells.

David Wyatt.

The five flags will be permanently installed, and located in the middle of the bridge – poles W6, W7, W8, W9 and W10 – on the sidewalk side, as if overlooking the city, accessible to all.

Next summer, on the anniversary of the shootings, the city plans to install plaques underneath each flag.

“It is my hope that people will walk to this spot on the bridge, look over our beautiful city and say a prayer of gratitude for the brave individuals who defend it at home and abroad,” Berke said.

During the ceremony, Berke will say words about each of the 30 veterans who are being honored with flags. There’s even a flag donated in honor of our city’s homeless veterans, living and dead.

And John Echerd, who joined the Navy in ’43, retired in ’79, who then had a career as a public school principal and TVA officer, and, for many years, a Sunday school teacher.

Andrew Exum, who led Army Rangers into Afghanistan in days following 9/11, and later worked alongside Gen. Stanley McChrystal. After earning his doctorate in war studies from King’s College in London, Exum has become one of the most appreciated and respected American scholars and writers on the Middle East.

Ken Bethune, a paratrooper injured in Korea, who came home to create a rich American life: a business owner for 18 years, husband for 61 and great-grandfather for 15.

Arch Trimble, a Marine lieutenant who died in 2014, leaving behind a vast list of contributions to the city. His patriotism and affection for the Marine Corps, UT football and Mocs basketball were huge, yet did not compare to his love for his wife and two sons.

William Chipley, a Marine pilot during World War II and Korea. He was later drafted to the NFL – Boston Yanks and New York Bulldogs – and then created a full life as a businessman, sportsman, YMCA man and family man.

“The consummate gentleman,” his daughter said.

One more?

Jack Gilleland, a World War II colonel who was later instrumental in power creation for the TVA. He was also a devoted husband and father, and a beloved grandfather.

I should know. He was mine.

Long ago, when I was a boy, he’d always encourage me to practice my typing. Here, he’d say. Type this sentence.”

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.

So many already have.

Contact David Cook at dcook@times freepress.com or 423-757-6329. Follow him on Facebook at DavidCookTFP.