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Big private Veterans Day event at home of Donald McKinney

List of honorees below. Several photos beng added to story

By Ed Waggener

Adair Countians are patriotic. It shows in special July 4, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day events.Most are public--in churches, schools, commercial centers, civic venues.

But for the families of Donald and Bobbie Smythe McKinney, a very special and private event was held Saturday, November 8, 2008, at the couple's residence to commemorate the service of family members, neighbors, and classmates.

It was invitation only, a private ceremony, but still there were some 60 individuals present for lunch, a program at the house, and a walk to Donald McKinney's Secret Place with its Veterans Walkway for the dedication of a marker recognizing individual service.



Adair native, Boyle CJE Harold McKinney honored

The program included special recognition of two family members with non-military distinction. Harold McKinney was recognized for being the newly elected County Judge Executive of Boyle County, KY. Judge McKinney, a Democrat, had been appointed to fill the office until a special election by Gov. Steve Beshear, and was elected to continue and fill out the balance of the unexpired term in the special election on November 4, 2008. The vote was approximately 7,500 to 4,100 for his Republican opponent. McKinney is an Adair County High School, Centre College, and UK College of Law graduate.

Paula Garrison and Family Place Resource Center cited

Also recognized was Paula Garrison, Adair County Family Place Resource Center Director, whose organization won the the statewide Henry J. Cowherd Award in 2008. Veterans recognized were: Kenneth Ballou, H.W. Roach, Tommy Dowell, Greg Scott, Bradley Smythe, Paul McKinney, Fred Smythe, Donald McKinney, Tim Alexander, Hal Roach, Teresa Scott, Jacqueline Scott Clark, Jason Corbin, and Frankie McGowan, along with others currently serving.

Neighbor Rick Wilson presided over the flag raising ceremony.

Special patriotic singing was presented by Amy Thompson and Harold McKinney and others.

Bobbie Smythe led the unveiling of the flag.

A special prayer was rendered by Rich McKinney.

Individual veterans recognized

The names of 19 veterans (plus a number of unnamed ACHS 1964 classmates) and a brief explanations of their service were read, as follows:
  • Uncle Lafe Felder: Harold McKinney read, "One of my first remembrances of a veteran was a man that Daddy called Uncle Lafe Felder. According to Daddy, Uncle Lafe fought in the Civil War and was a soldier who came upon the massacre at the Battle of Little Big Horn. When Daddy worked with him at age 12, Uncle Lafe called Daddy, 'General.'"

  • Uncle Woodrow Willis & Uncle Doc Willis: Doris Jean McKinney Lane read, "I would like to remember and honor two of our uncles who fought in World War II. Uncle Woodrow Willis was charged witht he job of chauffering a general in Europe. Uncle Doc Willis is credited with capturing a group of Germans either single-handedly, or almost single-handedly."

  • Kenneth Ballou: Stella Ballou read: "I would like to honor my husband, Kenneth Ballou, who served in World War II as a medic and who received the Purple Heart."

  • H.W. Roach: Ruby McKinney Roach read, "I would like to honor my husband, H.W. Roach, who served in the Pacific during World War II afer the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor."

  • Tommy Dowell: Sue Smythe Dowell read, "I would like to honor my husband, Tommy Dowell, who fought with the artillery in the Korean War. Little did he know that he would come home to marry a girl who was only 9 while he was serving. He did wait until I was 18 years old to marry me."

  • Greg Scott: Juanta McKinney Scott read, "I would like to honor my son, Greg Scott, who served in the Iraq war with the KY National Guard. As a result of his service, I had to learn to use a computer to communicate with him."

  • Bradley Smythe: Paula Kay read, "I would like to hnor my brother, Bradley Smythe, who served two tours in Afghanistan. I believe he was in the Mountain Force."

  • Paul Ray McKinney: Donald McKinney read, "I would llke to honor my brothers, the late Paul Ray McKinney, who served in the Army during the post-World War II era. He served in Schweinfurt, Germany, and paved the way for me 25 years later."

  • Fred Smythe: Alice Smythe read, "I would like to honor my husband, Fred Smythe, who served in the Navy on the ship Nereus. This named after the Greed god of the sea."

  • Donald McKinney: Bobbie Smythe McKinney read, "I would like to honor my husband, Donald McKinney, who served as a Chaplain's Assistant in the Army in Wurzburg, Germany."

  • Tim Alexander: Laura McKinney read, "I would like to honor my cousin's husband, Tim Alexander, who served in the U.S. Army Reserve."

  • Hal Roach: Patricia read, "I would like to honor my cousin, Hal Roach, who, like his father, served in the Navy. He served in the Judge Advocate's Department."

  • First Sergeant Teresa Scott: Jack Scott read, "I would like to honor my wife, First Sergeant Teresa Scott, who serves in the Kentucky National Guard. She is on assignment today."

  • Jacquline Scott Clark: Murray Scott read, "I would like to honor my granddaughter, Jacquline Scott Clark, who serves in the KY National Guard. She is on assignment today."

  • Jason Corbin: James Herschel Corbin read, "I would like to honor my son, Jason Corbin, who is currently serving in the Marines and as such could not be here today."

  • Louis Pence: Sara Scott read, "I would like to honor my soon to be husband, Louis Pence, who is currently serving in the National Guard. He is on assignment today."

  • John Corbin: Jane Corbin read, "I would like to honor my grandson, John Corbin, who is presently in the ROTC Program at Russell County High School. John had an ROTC assignment today."

  • Frankie McGowan: Laura McKinney read, "I would like to honor my Dad's Class of '64 at Adair County High School, which had so many to serve during the Vietnam Era. I would especially like to honor one of his good friends who was killed in Vietnam, Frankie McGowan. Dad has never let Rich and me foreget the ultimate sacrifice Frankie made."
Following the ceremony at the McKinney residence, the group trekked to the Veteran's Walkway for the placement of the commemorative plaque.


This story was posted on 2008-11-12 05:03:04
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McKinney-Smythe, ACHS '64 Veterans: Shrine



2008-11-12 - Donald McKinney residence, Columbia, KY - Photo by Dr. Gary Lane.
DONALD McKINNEY co-hosted, with wife Bobbie Smythe, a special event on November 8, 2008, "Honoring the Veterans of the Families of Donald and Bobbie Smythe and the Class of 1964." Above, Mr. McKinney with a photo shrine commemorating veterans from the families who served and sacrificed for the United States of America.

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McKinney-Smythe Veterans Remembrance: The Roaches



2008-11-12 - Donald & Bobbie McKinney residence, Columbia, KY - Photo by Dr. Gary Lane.
RUBY and H.W. ROACH: Mrs. Roach read the tribute to her husband, H.W. Roach, who served in the Pacific in World War II after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

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