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U.S. Army veterans Harold Nix (left) and Craig German salute during a presentation honoring each branch of the American military. (Photos/Stephanie Hill) -
Billy Vaughn spoke about his son Aaron Vaughn who was killed in action while serving as a Navy Seal. (Photo/Stephanie Hill) -
Michael Bolden spoke about his grandfather, who was a veterans and played a role in their lives. -
Lukas Sullivan spoke about his grandfather, who was a veterans and played a role in their lives.
Veterans and their guests heard from Billy Vaughn, an author and Gold Star father of a fallen solider, at the 17th Annual Veterans’ Luncheon held Oct. 26 at Mt. Yonah Baptist Church.
Vaughn, author of Betrayed: The Shocking True Story Of Extortion 17 As Told By A Navy SEAL’s Father, is the father of Aaron Vaughn, a fallen Navy Seal Team Special Warfare Operations Chief. Aaron Vaughn lost his life in 2011 when a helicopter that was carrying 30 Americans was shot down while heading into battle.
Vaughn talked about his son joining the Navy Seals and how he became a member of Seal Team 6. He then described finding out what happened to his son, saying he was out of town at the time when he saw a report about a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
Vaughn said he called his wife to tell her to check on Aaron and called his daughter and told her to go be with her mom, just in case. He shortly thereafter received a call from his daughter telling him what happened.
“Less than 30 minutes (after calling his wife), my oldest daughter – who had been married for years, had two kids of her own – had called me dad. You know when they get too big to call you daddy anymore; It’s dad, dad, dad. She called me and said these words, ‘Daddy, he’s dead,’” Vaughn said.
After the passing of his son, Vaughn said they started Operation 300, a non-profit organization for kids who have lost their fathers who were serving in the military. Each child is partnered with a male mentor who spends the weekend doing activities with the child that they would’ve done with their fathers. Vaughn said his son had two children at the time of his passing.
“They shoot, they sail, they fish, they camp,” Vaughn said. “We’re always looking for volunteers and mentors to help these kids. Because volunteers and mentors give their time to help these kids just for a small amount of time to have a man in their life, or a mom, who might be missing, and to do things they would’ve done with them and build that relationship.”
Attendees also heard from two White County High School JROTC officers, Lukas Sullivan and Michael Bolden, who spoke about veterans that have impacted them. Robert Hill presented silver bullets to former JROTC member Victoria McDuffie and current JROTC member Jaxson Garrison. They received the silver bullets because they aimed high with their goals and hit the mark, Hill said.
During the event, veterans from all branches of the military were recognized when their branch song played. The National Anthem, America the Beautiful, and Taps were performed. The White County High School JROTC presented the the flags, did a 21-gun salute and performed Taps.
After the program, veterans and their guests were treated to a catered meal from Yonah Coffee and Cafe.