Bridgestone honors veterans

By Colonel Jim Stone

Mitch Burke, Plant Manger, The Bridgestone/Firestone Plant in Morrison, Tennessee carries on the tradition of honoring the Veterans of Bridgestone/Firestone during the Veterans Day activities every year.

I had the distinct honor to be the guest speaker on Monday, November 18, 2013. Mr. Burke presented the Welcome and Introduction. The Warren County High School JROTC unit conducted the presentation of the Colors, and the Pledge of Allegiance. (So sorry that Cannon County High School does not have a JROTC Unit.) Mr. Burke called on a special friend to offer the invocation and a truly outstanding meal was enjoyed by all.

When I returned home that evening I received several calls from Veterans in Cannon County who worked at Bridgestone/Firestone or had retired from there. All of them requested that I write an article for the Cannon Courier thanking Mr. Mitch Burke and Bridgestone/Firestone. One Veteran, Dwaine Prater, said that he retired in 2001 and has been going back every year since.

So on behalf of the veterans of Cannon County and especially the 61 men who gave their lives for their country whose names are engraved on our Veterans memorial monument in front of our courthouse, I say thank you Mr. Mitch Burke and Bridgestone/Firestone for paying tribute and honoring our veterans.

“All gave some, some gave all.”