From left, Marilyn Kinne, David Nicholson, Larry Swafford, Linda Davenport Ballew, grandsons Caleb Peden and Luke Peden, Teresa Raby, Tim Morrison, William Roscoe Morrison III and Lisa Pritchett.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis Chapter No. 900, observed Memorial Day with a service held at Shiloh Baptist Church in Ocoee for military veterans and their families. The service was to honor the men and women who have served the country in the United States of America Armed Forces.
Crosses of Military Service Awards were presented by Marilyn Kinne, president of the local chapter. They are four awards and are the outgrowth of the Cross of Honor which was presented to Confederate Veterans in the early 1900’s. These crosses have been established as a testimonial to the patriotic devotion of worthy Confederate soldiers, and their descendants.
Ms. Kinne stated these honorary recipients have shown faithful devotion and patriotic military service to their county in time of war. They have exemplified courage and loyalty which reflects honor upon themselves as well as their Confederate ancestor. They have served with honor and dignity, forgoing their own safety to protect citizens, the country and freedom.
The awards are presented as a perpetual memorial to the fact that as a descendant of a Confederate soldier or sailor who served honorably in the War Between the States they have proved worthy of their lineage. The awards are signed by Pam Trammell, president of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
David Wayne Nicholson received the Vietnam Conflict Military Cross Award. The award reads as follows: Whereas David Wayne Nicholson of Ocoee State of Tennessee faithfully and honorably served in the Vietnam Conflict as a Specialist Fifth Class, First US Army Separation Transfer Platoon, United States Army. He is a lineal descendant of Isaac Farner who served honorably as a private in Company F, 19th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry in the War Between the States.
William Roscoe Morrison III received the Global War on Terror Military Cross Award. During his service he received the following citations and decorations. Navy & Marine Corp. Achievement medals (5), Navy Reserve Meritorious Service (5), National Defense Service Medal (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2), Southeast Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/Bronze Hourglass and “M” Device (2), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Expert Rifleman Medal (M16), Navy “E” Ribbon (2), expert Pistol Shot Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal. The award reads as follows: Whereas William Roscoe Morrison III of Cleveland, Tn. faithfully and honorably served in the Global War on Terror as an Engineering Aide Chief, Naval Mobil Construction Battalion-24, United States Navy. He is a lineal descendant of James A. Womack who served honorably as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company F, 36th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry in the War Between the States.
The next two awards were posthumous. Linda Davenport Ballew received the WWI Military Cross Award. She is the granddaughter of Joe Marcus Lee Davenport. The award reads as follows: Whereas Joe Marcus Lee Davenport of Fannin County the State of Georgia faithfully and honorably served in WWI as a Private, 1st Convalescent Battalion, United States Army and whereas he is a lineal descendant of Osborn Davenport who served honorably as a Private in Company B, 65th Regiment, Georgia Infantry in the War Between the States. He was killed in the Battle of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Tn.
Linda Davenport Ballew received the WWII Military Cross Award. She is the daughter of Cloys William Davenport. During his service he received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, Good Conduct Medal, and received the Purple Heart Medal on Dec. 8, 1944. The award reads as follows: Whereas Cloys William Davenport of McMinn County, Tennessee faithfully and honorably served in WWII as a Private First Class , 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armed Division, United States Army. He is a lineal descendant of Osborn Davenport who served honorably as a Private in Company B, 65th Regiment, Georgia Infantry in the War Between the States.
Ms. Kinne awarded three National Defense Medals. The National Defense Medals awarded by the UDC was approved at the 1991 Annual General Convention in Irving, Texas. It is bronze and features a seated “Liberty” flanked by the flag of the United States of America and the First National Flag of the Confederacy. It is framed by laurel leaves. The medal is suspended from the official red and white ribbon by the intertwined initials “UDC”. The National Defense Medal symbolizes the loyal devotion to duty and which has been earned by courage and bravery in the discharge of that duty.
Aulbi Larry Swafford received the Vietnam Conflict National Defense Medal. During his service he received a Good Conduct Medal. The award reads as follows: Whereas, Aulbi Larry Swafford of Ocoee, Tn. faithfully and honorably served during the Vietnam Conflict as a Specialist Four, Headquarters 7th Army, 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Administration Co. United States Army. He is a lineal descendant of William Monroe Parks who served honorably as a Private in Company F, 16th Battalion, Georgia Calvary (State Guards) in the War Between the States.
William Roscoe Morrison III received the Global War on Terror National Defense Medal. During his service he received the Southeastern Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, M16 Marksman Ribbon- Rifle, Navy “E” Ribbon. The award reads as follows: Whereas William Roscoe Morrison III of Cleveland, Tn. faithfully and honorably served during the Persian Gulf War “Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm as an Engineering Aide 2nd Class, United States Navy. He is a lineal descendant of James A. Womack who served honorably as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company F, 36th Regiment, Tn. Infantry in the War Between the States.
The next award was posthumous. Tim Morrison received the Korean War National Defense Medal. He is the son of Ronald E. Morrison. The award reads as follows: Whereas Ronald E. Morrison of Old Fort, Tn. faithfully and honorably served during the Korean War as a Specialist Third Class, United States Army. He is a lineal descendant of James A. Womack who served honorably as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company F, 36th Regiment Tennessee Infantry in the War Between the States.
Ms. Kinne ended the memorial service and asked that everyone honor and keep their medals safe and treasure them. They are a lasting tribute to those who proved worthy of their Confederate ancestory, and freely gave their service and their lives to this great nation.