Judge David Campbell Chapter, NSDAR members, Samantha Green and Meegan Burton present the framed TN State Poem poster to VFW representative, John Zapata
Members of the Judge David Campbell Chapter, NSDAR presented a framed copy of the Tennessee State Poem to Jasper Memorial VFW Post 6362 at their monthly meeting on Tuesday.
The poem was written by Naval Admiral William Porter Lawrence. Admiral Lawrence was born in Nashville and turned down a scholarship to Yale University to attend the US Naval Academy where he earned the highest rank for a midshipman, Brigade Commander.
On June 28, 1967, he was shot down over North Vietnam and imprisoned in the notorious Hanoi Hilton. To pass the time during his imprisonment, he composed poetry in his head. During this time, he created “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee.” It describes the love and longing he felt for his beautiful home state. His poem was adopted as the official Tennessee State Poem in 1973.
The Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Judge David Campbell Chapter are proud to honor Admiral Lawrence and the 50th anniversary of his poem becoming the official Tennessee State Poem.
Additional copies of the poem poster are available for veteran organizations and public offices and facilities who would display it for viewing by visitors. The Judge David Campbell Chapter may be reached by email at judgedavidcampbell@tndar.org.