Pearl Harbor Day remembered at EXPO Center
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
Pearl Harbor Day was remembered with a special luncheon Thursday at the EXPO Event Center. Not only was it well planned but the large assembly of veterans, families, public officials and supporters took the opportunity to meet the guest of honor, Sgt. Sammy Lee Davis.
Larry Sharp, president of the Veterans Appreciation Program, organized and emceed the event with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 24. Sharp recognized special guests and WWII veteran Bob Luttrell was presented a Quilt of Valor by Gwen Cole of the Clinch River Quilts of Valor.
The National Colors were presented by the Karns High School Junior ROTC and the Powell High School Singers entertained attendees by singing Christmas songs. An eagle named Challenger greeted guests as they arrived for the ceremony.
Vietnam War hero and Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Sammy Davis took questions from those attending. Davis recounted his Vietnam experience and noted that his injury, a result of saving his fellow soldiers, became part of the “Forrest Gump” movie.
“You don’t lose until you quit trying,” was the message repeated a few times as Davis spoke to the appreciative crowd.
