“This is why I fight and why I continue to serve,” said Sgt. Theresa Flannery, as she held her 2-year old son on a stage where she was once crowned Miss Madison County and Miss Teen Madison County.
Flannery, a 1997 graduate of Madison Southern High School who spent most of 2004 with the U.S. Army in Iraq, was recognized Friday evening as the second annual Kentucky Veterans Welcome Home Celebration began at the Madison County Fair Grounds.
Flannery joined the military in 2000, had already fulfilled her two-year active duty assignment and was assigned to the Lexington-based 15th Transportation Reserve Company, when she was activated in December 2003.
The next month she was driving vehicles in Iraq. On April 4, 2004, her unit came under attack by insurgents who hoped to kill or capture a member of U.S. Ambassador Paul Bremer’s staff in the volatile city of Najaf.
For nearly 12 hours, she was operating a rifle rather than an automobile, firing off 800 rounds.
She was the only woman in a continent of about 20 Americans that stood with Spanish soldiers to hold off an attack by more than 1,000 insurgents.
“I fractured my hand as I jumped to the ground to take cover,” she said. “I heard two bullets whiz past my head as I fell.” Two of her comrades were wounded as the attack began.
“Their blood is still on these boots,” she said, pointing to her unpolished footwear.
“My hand was swollen, but it was not diagnosed as fractured until two weeks later,” she said. “It hurt as I was firing my rifle, but when you’re fighting for your life, you forget about the pain.”
She was awarded a purple heart and a combat citation for valor.
Flannery said both of her brothers, David and Christopher, followed her into the military.
Their parents are David and Maggie Flannery of Berea.
Flannery, who now lives in Lexington, is set to receive two associate’s degrees from the Bluegrass Community and Technical College in May. She hopes to receive those diplomas before returning for a second tour of duty next year in Iraq.
After Flannery spoke, a group of 18 young people from Kentucky, three of whom are joining the Army and 15 others going into the Air Force, took the recruit’s oath to defend the U.S. Constitution.
“A lot of young people are stepping up to carry the torch of American freedom,” said Chuck Sawyers, a U.S. Marine veteran of the Vietnam War who chairs the celebration’s organizing committee.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Centron Felder said recruiters in Kentucky have met their goals since 1999.
After the opening ceremony, the celebration’s focus shifted to the traveling copy of the Vietnam War Memorial.
The third Friday in September is always a day of remembrance for Prisoners of War and those still listed as Missing in Action, said Emerson McAfee, another Vietnam veteran who serves on the celebration committee.
Those in attendance stood in solemn silence as the setting sun cast long shadows toward the memorial that stretches for nearly 300 feet.
Nancy Pickle, a member of the Madison Southern High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, concluded the ceremony by playing taps.
The celebration livened up afterward as Faded Blue, which plays Motown and southern rock tunes, took to the performance stage at 7 p.m. Country artist Tim Hellard of Berea performed at 9.
The celebration continues today and Sunday.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.
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Honoring our brave veterans
Female Iraq vet describes combat
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Board eyes cost-cutting options
In a special-called work session Tuesday, the Madison County School Board looked at ways of reducing a projected $2.84 million draw from its reserves to fund the 2013-14 budget.
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‘Berea’s Unsung Heroes’
A group of Bereans were honored Tuesday night at the Berea Community School Board, many of which had never been in the spotlight before.
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Berea relaxes yard sale ordinance, may restrict fireworks
The Berea City Council adopted a new yard sale ordinance Tuesday, but only after it was amended twice.
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Items stolen, but no one injured in home invasion
Berea police are looking for a man who broke into a First Street home Monday and threatened a resident with a knife.
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Madison County veterans to host Memorial Day ceremonies
The Madison County Veterans Association, which includes a number of local veterans’ organizations, will be hosting two Memorial Day ceremonies Monday.
The first will take place at the Richmond Cemetery near the flagpole at 10 a.m., and the second will follow at noon in Madison County Memorial Gardens on Berea Road.
Everett King of the American Legion, which is coordinating this year’s events, said U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Sixth District, will be present at the morning ceremony.
Every year the Memorial Day event has a theme. Last year’s theme was honoring Vietnam veterans, King said, while this year’s theme is honoring all American soldiers.
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Board eyes cost-cutting options
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H.S. BASEBALL/SOFTBALL: Central’s Wright takes MVP honors
Jimmy Wright’s performance at the 44th District Tournament played a big role in Madison Central earning a seventh-straight championship.
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GOLF: Local golfers qualify for State Amateur
Three local golfers earned the chance to participate in this year’s Kentucky State Amateur by turning in outstanding rounds at a qualifying event Monday at the Danville County Club.
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OVC BASEBALL: Colonels roll past JSU, 11-2
Eastern Kentucky University, the No. 5 seed, beat fourth-seeded Jacksonville State, 11-2, in the first round of the 2013 Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Tournament on Wednesday in Jackson, Tenn.
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H.S. BASEBALL/SOFTBALL: Central’s Wright takes MVP honors
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Freedom Rally June 1 in front of the courthouse
Observance of Memorial Day began after the Civil War, but the poet Joyce Kilmer wrote these lines as he served in another great conflict, World War I. His words were more than poetic, they were just and honorable. Kilmer is best known for writing “I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree.” He was killed in the Second Battle of the Marne.
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- Viewpoints
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Graduation Day
It is that time of year again.
Some years ago, I was invited to speak at the graduation ceremonies of a liberal arts college. Later, many in the audience told me they expected a very political speech. Some of them were relieved; others were disappointed. I don't do politics at graduation.
Graduation is about life.
My high school graduation was OK. I gave a speech. My family was there, intact, probably as happy as they ever were (But did I know?). We went out for Chinese food afterward. - Coal problem worth tackling in Washington and Frankfort
- Peter Perlman — Life lessons from a lawyer’s lawyer
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