| Sources |
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 26 May 2009.
Pilot delivers patriotic message
By ELLEN BROWN
ebrown@themountainpress.com
David Maples, left, a Gatlinburg native who now lives in Bristol, Va., visits with cousin Lt. Andrew Whaley, a Pigeon Forge native and Naval aviator. Whaley served as guest speaker of the Memorial Day service held in front of the Sevier County Courthouse on Monday.
SEVIERVILLE - Members of the community showed their appreciation for veterans Monday morning by attending a Memorial Day Service in front of the Sevier County Courthouse.
"I'm here to support our troops," said Gatlinburg resident Lisa Reagan. "I'm also here to hear Andrew Whaley, the guest speaker - he's my son's best friend, and he's like a second son to me."
Lt. Andrew Whaley, a Pigeon Forge native, is a Naval aviator and flies the FA18 Hornet, the U.S. Navy's front line strike/fighter aircraft. He is assigned to Strike/Fighter Squadron 15 at Naval Air Station Ocenia in Virginia Beach, Va. He is a 2001 graduate of Gatlinburg-Pittman High School and a 2005 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.
"There are three reasons why people join the military and stay in," Whaley said. "The first is an idea of what America is, the second is the land, and the third is the people. Every American has their own picture of America. For me, it's home. There's not a day that I strap into a jet when this place and your faces are not in my mind."
Whaley told the crowd of a classmate of his from the U.S. Naval Academy. His friend was serving in Iraq and was seriously injured. Even though he was on the verge of death, he continued to lead the fight and his men carried him to safety.
Although his friend lost both of his legs from the incident, Whaley said, "He's not bitter; there's no malice in his heart."
When men and women serve in the military, they don't take an oath to man, he said.
"We take an oath to the idea that people are free - and should be free."
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters introduced Whaley, whom he had known for all the young man's life, to the service attendees.
"The fact that we have men and women of this caliber makes me feel good about the future of this nation," Waters said.
Whaley, the son of Paul and Patsy Whaley of Pigeon Forge, is also a member of American Legion Post 202 of Gatlinburg and an Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 110 of Sevierville.
Cub Scout Pack 110 and Boy Scout Troop 110 assisted the American Legion with the program by placing chairs, handing out programs and leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
"We're here supporting our armed services," said Cubmaster Amy McDowell. "We're chartered by the American Legion; without them, we wouldn't be able to have a pack."
"We help them with anything they need," added assistant Cubmaster Wendell Loveday.
The Smoky Mountain Community Band provided music such as "America the Beautiful" and "To Reap the Blessings of Freedom." Two tables were set to honor those missing in action and killed in action, and a roll call of deceased Sevier County veterans from the past year was read.
"Memorial Day is a day when we come together as Americans and put aside our politics," said state Sen. Doug Overbey.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
39192 HAROLD PAUL WHALEY PATSY JANE CARTER
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
WHALEY, HAROLD PAUL CARTER, PATSY JANE 1968-11-26
- [S126] The Official Marriage Records of Sevier County Tennessee 1945-1971, Volume III, Smoky Mountain Historical Society, (Copyright 2008), ISBN 1-890150-00-5.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
WHALEY, ANDREW PAUL GLUCH, MAGDALENA LIDIA 2010-12-31
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Abt 1983 - (~ 41 years)
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