Tennesseans on this Independence Day are just as much in the forefront of the struggle for freedom as their Revolutionary War ancestors

As families across the state gather on this Independence Day to observe the founding of our nation’s freedom with picnics, fireworks, parades and other special events, may we all remember those who have fought and are still fighting for the cause of freedom. We have much to be proud of in Tennessee regarding our state’s rich heritage in protecting and defending the precious rights we enjoy as Americans.

As we look back on our nation’s struggles in the American Revolution, even before Tennessee became a state, our ancestors had already begun bravely to answer the call of freedom. It started at Kings Mountain, which was one of the most decisive Patriot victories of the Revolutionary War. Tennessee rebels left their homes, marched hundreds of miles over mountainous terrain and were victorious over British troops, forcing them into a series of maneuvers that eventually led to the surrender at Yorktown.

This early example of heroics set the path for Tennesseans, whom time and time again would show that, when our homes and our liberties are threatened, our volunteers will go forth to meet the threat head-on. For that reason, Tennesseans went to war again, marching off to New Orleans in 1812 to crush another British threat to the South and making a Tennessee General, Andrew Jackson, the only national hero to emerge from that war.

When Tennessee was called upon for 2,800 soldiers in the next major U.S. confrontation with Mexico in 1848, an overwhelming 30,000 came forward, and hence forth, Tennessee has been known as the Volunteer State.

In 1861 Union was torn with the War Between the States. Tennesseans became leaders for both sides of the struggle. Our state became a major battle ground of the war that followed, and not one of Tennessee’s citizens was left untouched.

When a united America once again called upon Tennessee during the war with Spain in the late 1800’s, the the Volunteer state rose to the occasion, filling the ranks of service from Cuba to the Philippines.

As the 20th century dawned, Tennesseans responded to freedom’s call in the first and second World Wars. Likewise, many young Tennesseans fought bravely in the jungles of Vietnam. The men and women who fought in these wars, like those stationed overseas today, are not just American heroes, but heroes to many nations.

In fact, it was a Tennessee artillery battalion that was among the first to reach the Euphrates River in Iraq during the Gulf War and the first flag to be raised over liberated Kuwait City was the flag of Tennessee.

In the current conflict in Iraq, more than 12,000 brave citizen soldiers and airmen from the Volunteer State have answered the call to active duty. Tennessee is the model state in the nation for the number of citizen soldiers, truly living up to our “Volunteer” name.

I’m proud of our service men and women.  They are persons of character and conviction, and they are literally changing our world.  Our prayers continue to go out to them for their safe return.

Tennesseans serving in Afghanistan and Iraq today are just as much in the forefront of the struggle for freedom as their ancestors were at Kings Mountain, whose victory we celebrate on this Independence Day. As long as America is blessed with such heroes, the efforts of the Founding Fathers will not have been in vain, and the fruits of their labors will be preserved for future generations.

Best regards,

Doug Overbey
State Senator

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm and is filed under Featured News, In The News, Press Releases.
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