Bicentennial First Friday luncheon highlighting veterans in the community

JACKSON, TN (WNBJ) - The Bicentennial Edition of the First Friday Forum continued today at the First Methodist Church in downtown Jackson.

The First Friday Forum was dedicated to veterans in the Jackson-Madison County area.

“It’s important to recognize those who have served because we are free in this nation to do what we want to do because of our veterans,” said Gwen McCaffrey McReynolds, the historian with the Daughters of the American Revolution.

McReynolds was the keynote speaker for the luncheon and her presentation focused on veterans from the past, present, and future.

“It is very important as someone said its cliché but if we do not study our history, we are deemed to repeat it,” said McReynolds.

The chair of the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition explains why it is so vital to honor our veterans.

“It’s very important that we remember the Jackson and Madison County veterans have been engaged in defending our freedom for the past 200 years,” said Jackie Utley, member/chair of the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition.

A veteran at the luncheon explains what being honored in this way means to him.

“it’s heartwarming. It’s nice to be appreciated and we all feel that way because of events like this,” said Robert Jones, a veteran.

At the luncheon, they honored one of the oldest living veterans in the county with a framed proclamation thanking him for his service.

The Bicentennial Edition of the First Friday Forum continues next month on Friday, December 3rd, where the topic will be religion.