Volunteers honor fallen Tennessee National Guardsman with hundreds of flags

GALLATIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — As household and pals put together to say their ultimate goodbyes to a Tennessee Nationwide Guardsman killed in a helicopter crash final month, volunteers from his hometown are already doing their half to pay their respects.

Round 100 volunteers of all ages met on the First Baptist Church on East Winchester Avenue in Gallatin Friday evening, and in only a matter of hours, positioned 600 flags on the streets surrounding the church. The transferring tribute was in honor of Danny Randolph, a Chief Warrant Officer 3 with the Tennessee Nationwide Guard.

“On behalf of my veteran brothers and sisters, we hate to lose one,” stated Raymond Overstreet, with the Fight Veterans Bike Affiliation. “I am right here to help the parents who’re feeling that loss.”

The hassle was organized by the group The Flagman’s Mission Continues. The group hosts comparable occasions throughout the nation to honor fallen service members.

After volunteers obtained directions from Jeff Hastings with the Flagman’s Mission Continues, after which set to work displaying the flags.

Randolph, 40, was a local of Gallatin who grew up attending the First Baptist Church.

“He was only a happy-go-lucky, optimistic man,” recalled Derrick Jackson, the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Gallatin. “He was a household man. He liked Gallatin, liked his nation and would provide the shirt off his again.”

On Feb. 15, Randolph was touring with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Wadham in a UH-60 Black Hawk when it crashed round 3:01 p.m. alongside Freeway 53 in Madison County, simply exterior of Huntsville, Alabama. Each males had been killed.

The neighborhood is invited to indicate their respects at a memorial service on Saturday, March 11. A visitation interval with the household will happen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., adopted by the service at 1 p.m. on the First Baptist Church in Gallatin. Army honors shall be included in the course of the funeral service.

The flags shall be taken down on Sunday, March 12 at midday. Volunteers are additionally inspired to assist with this course of.

For extra info on The Flagman’s Mission Continues, or to make a donation go to: https://www.theflagmanmission.org/