Military Heroes Ralph Painter And Jim Sadler Were The Hit Of This Year's Armed Forces Day

Being involved on the Armed Forces Week committee for over 30 years I’ve met a lot of people, military and civilian.  I cherish my friendships with the late Charles and Frances Coolidge, Ted Mills, Lee Anderson, Dorothy Brammer, Edith Atkins, LTC Ray Adkins, LTC Willard Sisson, General Carl Levi and a host of other patriots.

This year was very different; it’s just not every day you can spend time with true heroes who fought on the front lines for our freedom.  How does this writer adequately honor two men who risked their lives for this great country?

The day started with my being introduced to 100-year-old Ralph Painter.  He was in the D-Day Landing.  He went in on Utah Beach, then across Europe until the end of the war. 

When we left Hixson, the World War II veteran began talking about his experiences in “the big one”.   Also traveling with us was Korean War Navy Veteran Jim Sadler who has a few war stories of his own.  Jim proudly wears his Navy tie.

Mr. Painter said he was 20 years old when they landed at Utah Beach, one of the five landing areas of the Normandy Invasion. He said out of 360 days he only slept under a sheet twice.

Mr. Painter described how he and his buddy were told not to shoot down a certain German plane but they did it anyway and the pilot was captured.  He said his colonel afterward told him, “Good shot, kid.”  

As we continued the ride downtown, Mr. Painter talked about some of his experiences at the “Battle of the Bulge” when the Germans launched that surprise attack. He remembers it was 30 below zero and their canned rations were frozen. He said the soldiers thawed them by placing the food on their vehicles' engines. 

By this time our driver, Mike Cate, had pulled up in front of the Read House.  I noticed a group of about 10 captains and colonels standing at the front door.  I jumped out of the limo and approached the men, told them who was in the car and asked if they would go speak to him.  The officers couldn’t wait to shake Ralph Painter’s hand one by one thanking him for his service. 

I proceeded over to the staging area where the massive Marine Corps Band from New Orleans was warming up.  This band didn’t miss a note, very professional.  They opened the parade and played patriotic music all the way up Market Street to the reviewing stand where I caught up with Ralph Painter and Jim Sadler sitting with a group of officers. 

One by one officials went over to speak with Mr. Painter and Mr. Sadler.  Both Mayor Jim Coppinger and Mayor Tim Kelly led the way followed by Hamilton County’s Sheriff-elect Austin Garrett.  Then there was Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, State Senator Todd Gardenhire, Judge Russell Bean, and others. 

Mr. Sadler was overheard telling several of the officers about going to Chicago and seeing General Douglas MacArthur.  Mr. Sadler said he counted it an honor to stand at attention when the General passed right by him.  At 91, Mr. Sadler still greets friends and family almost every day at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel. 

Smiling all the way to the Convention Center luncheon, Mr. Painter and Mr. Sadler said they couldn’t remember shaking so many hands.

Mr. Painter was hardly seated until he was greeted by Vietnam War hero Cpt. Larry Taylor.  The two men talked like they had been friends for life.  Cpt. Taylor is under consideration for the Medal of Honor.

During the luncheon both men shared more experiences with those at their tables.  One Marine who sat at the table with Mr. Painter said he held their attention all through the meal.  Mr. Painter was surprised when several Army personnel surrounded his table for another picture.  Walking out of the Convention Center I asked Mr. Painter how he felt about his day. His response was, “a day I’ll never forget.”  Mr. Painter is the recipient of five Bronze Stars. 

Mr. Painter said he wasn’t about to stay in the Army. He wanted to come home to his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth who he was married to for nearly 60 years. 

As Mr. Sadler was leaving he told General Bill Raines, “I love my country, God has blessed America.”

The luncheon at the Convention Center was a sellout.  Chattanooga Area Veterans Council member retired Admiral Noel Long said “Our city is truly the most patriotic city in the United States.”  The retired Admiral said he’s already looking forward to next year.