It is almost Veteran's Day. It is a day we celebrate all who have served in our military. John Luckadoo was part of the Eighth Air Force "Bloody One Hundredth." They flew sorties over Germany in World War II. He is the last surviving pilot of that group. Like many of the Greatest Generation, Luckadoo didn't talk about his experiences for years. Like most, he simply wanted to … [Read more...] about A Decorated WWII Hero Celebrates His 100th Birthday by Sharing His Story
Heroes
A Strong Cherokee Woman; The Story of Nancy Ward
East Tennessee's rich history includes many native Americans from the Cherokee tribe of the Wolf Clan that lived in Chota (now Vonore, Tennessee site of the Sequoyah Museum, which stands as a celebration of Cherokee history). Chota was located on the banks of the Little Tennessee River and is now covered by a man-made Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) lake. There, historic … [Read more...] about A Strong Cherokee Woman; The Story of Nancy Ward
Alvin York: Hero in WWI, Hero Back at Home
As a soldier in World War I, Alvin Cullum York (1887 – 1964) was much lauded as a hero. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest. With untenable courage and fortitude, York single-handedly captured 35 machine guns, killed at least 25 German soldiers, and took 133 more prisoners. This brave soldier was from a backwoods community in … [Read more...] about Alvin York: Hero in WWI, Hero Back at Home
The Great Satchel Paige
Mobile, Alabama, is only the fourth largest city in its state and 138th in the United States. Neither statistic is at all remarkable. What is most impressive, however, is that Mobile, Alabama, is the birthplace of five, count them, five, Hall of Fame baseball players. Five of the best to play America's sport learned their skills on the fields in this South Alabama city. Only … [Read more...] about The Great Satchel Paige
Condredge Holloway; The SEC’s First Black Quarterback
Fifty-one years ago, in 1971, a seventeen-year-old African American young man set foot on the University of Tennessee campus. His presence would be felt all over the Southeastern Conference. Football fans called him the “artful dodger.” His name was Condredge Holloway. He was to be the first black quarterback in SEC history. His story in Big Orange Country is a legend. As a … [Read more...] about Condredge Holloway; The SEC’s First Black Quarterback
