By Linda Hagberg
Correspondent
After many months of planning, the Welcome Home event committee got to see the fruits of their labor come together. The fourth annual Welcome Home - A Tribute To All Who Serve became the biggest event held in Cherokee County with an attendance of approximately 12,000 people gathering at Western Carolina Regional Airport.
The day began early as more than 50 service organizations came to the airport to set up their tables to showcase the services they offered. Some of the tables also contained military paraphernalia from previous conflicts that people could view and ask questions about. Aircraft lined the runway for people to be able to view as well. Pilots of these aircraft were on hand to talk about how the airplane served in the military.
The display of antique and classic automobiles began to roll in for display at the airport. There were more than 100 different vehicles that people were able to walk around and and admire. The car show was presented by the Eastern Hotrod Association.
Smells of chili cooking permeated the air as the chili cook off participants began heating their wares in hanger A. There were 8 participants who offered a free cup of chili to any one who came to taste the chili, casting votes for their favorite recipe.
At 10 a.m. the Veterans Parade from Andrews arrived at the airport with more than 50 participants in time for the opening ceremonies to get underway. Chaplain Carl Maxwell of American Legion Post 532, Hayesville led with an opening prayer. Maxwell was followed by a Presentation of the Colors. Annie Lloyd, of Hayesville sang the “National Anthem.” As she sang, everyone in the crowd just stopped and took off caps, saluted the flag if veteran or put a hand over their hearts. You could feel the unity of the place at that moment.
The American Legion Post 532 members, Dwight McClure and Philip Cantley demonstrated a flag folding ceremony as Commander Joe Buckner explained each fold and why it is folded in this manner. Tommy Hooper and Mitchell Shields were on hand to help support the flag as it was folded. A flyover happened just as the ceremony ended. After the flag folding Maxwell introduced John Ivie, the sponsor of the event. Ivie thanked everyone for coming to honor veterans and also the committee for putting the event together. Maxwell then introduced the guest speaker, MCPO Jason Marino, Operations Chief, US Navy, of Robbinsville. Marino thanked everyone for coming to this event and said he felt honored to be able to speak at such a great way of honoring veterans. Lloyd again took the microphone and sang “God Bless America” signaling the end of the opening ceremonies.
Stephen Phillips and Sherry Raines of WJRB (95.1) Morning Dish took the microphone and spoke with pilots, veterans and others that came for the event. Pilots explained their planes and roles in the conflict in which they were used. In all there were 20 static planes on display for viewing. One of the planes, a T 34 was offering rides to anyone who wanted to go up after the event was over. The plane took off from the airport 20 times after the show.
At 12 p.m. Alexis Beasley, of Andrews came forth and sang the “National Anthem” as the crowd readied for the 250 motorcycle arcade of the Twin Towers/Benghazi riders that entered the airfield and made a trip down the runway. After parking their bikes, Dan Eichenbaum took the stage and did a memorial service for the Twin Towers and the Benghazi fallen. Eichenbaum introduced Major General Maria Britt, U.S. Army (retired) to speak. Britt spoke about the sacrifices made and lives lost. Eichenbaum followed Britt by calling veterans to the front of stage with memorial signs to plant and spoke of patriotism and remembering those who sacrificed for our freedoms.
Bruno Coltri, CVMA took the stage and presented chairman of the event committee, John Bandy a Quilt of Valor and presented a Sisters of Service shawl to Sherry Raines, director of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and committee member. Danna Pash, Veterans Services Officer was on stage to help with the presentation. Ivie announced the chili cookoff winners presenting Great Bowls of Fire by the Weaver family a first place prize of $250 and Renee Deweese second place honors with her version of Death By Chili with $100.
At 1 p.m. The air show, presented by the North Star Air Show group got underway. Clint Cottrell, air boss brought with him several airplanes: T-34 Mentor, Harvard, Decathlon (2), AT-11 Kansasan, Corsair, Beech 58 and a P-40 Flying Tiger. He had a total of 4jumpers for the event.
The jumpers, Special Forces Association “Green Beret Parachute Team” jumped from a Cessna 182 10,000 feet overhead. The jumpers were SFC Bo Kinnison, DOD Mark Hiscott, DOD David Sides and MSG Robert Scott who presented the American Flag banner as he came down.
After the jumpers, a Decathlon, flown by Charlie Morris took to the sky and with a trail of smoke, did several aerobatics that wowed the spectators below. At times it seemed he would be needing the help of the emergency team on hand for the event. Other planes also performed for the crowd. It was great hearing the responses from the spectators as daredevil stunts were performed by the air team.
At the end of the airshow, Lloyd took to the stage again and sang “Amazing Grace” and Chris West, pastor of Shepherd of the Hills gave the closing prayer. The event ended at 3 p.m.
“It exceeded all our expectations although we had a couple of hiccups such as parking and transportation to and from the event. We are grateful for the Cherokee County Schools Superintendent, Jeana Conley, who got two activity buses from Andrews High School to help with shuttling people back and forth to parking. We do learn from our mistakes, “ said Bandy. “We also offer thanks to the students from Andrews and Robbinsville schools who came to volunteer their time to help with this event. We give special thanks to John Ivie who sponsors the annual event and the many others who donated to make this event possible.”