A rifle salute echoed through downtown Nashville to honor seven Tennesseans
In observance of Memorial Day, Governor Bill Haslam presented state flags to the families of seven who died at war. Five of the deaths occurred in Afghanistan since last Memorial Day. One service member was part of the elite Seal Team 6.
Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder says the West Tennessee native enlisted shortly after 9/11.
“Aaron Vaughn was killed when the helicopter carrying him and 29 other Americans – including 22 Navy Seals – was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6th, 2011.”
Another recognized soldier, Specialist Jason Edens of Franklin, died one month ago. The Franklin-native was injured during an attack on his unit in Afghanistan and later died at Bethesda Naval Hospital with his family by his side. His 21-year-old wife – Ashley Edens – says until this year, Memorial Day has meant parties.
“You go and drink and you have fun and you celebrate, but this Memorial Day and every Memorial Day for the rest of my life will be completely different. It will mean something. It’s not just a holiday any more.”
Edens stood beside Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam as a short biography of her husband was read on War Memorial Plaza. All seven soldiers were honored this way, including two whose remains were found in Korea and Vietnam this past year.
Families have always been invited to the annual service, but this is the first year that they were formally recognized. Governor Haslam says hearing a service member’s story makes people more appreciative of the sacrifice.
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