April 20, 2005

A Word from Zach Wamp

Salute to a Fallen Hero

As Senator Lamar Alexander and I flew in the back of a C-130 cargo plane from Knoxville to Camp Shelby, Mississippi on November 11, 2004, to participate in the formal send off of the Tennessee National Guards’ historic 278th Regimental Combat Team being deployed to Iraq, we knew in our hearts that some would likely be injured and that one of our beloved East Tennessee families might even pay the ultimate price for freedom by losing one of their own in the Global War on Terror.

All of our worst fears were realized when Sgt. Paul W. Thomason III was laid to rest Thursday, March 31, 2005, in Seymour, Tennessee, following a tearful, yet powerful service, funeral procession and internment; the ceremonies consisted of the fullest military honors in grand, but simple East Tennessee tradition.

Sgt. Thomason’s mother, Gayle, and widow, Amanda, honored me with a few private moments before the service where I presented them with a special Bible I had engraved in memory of this husband, father, son, brother and friend. My prayer is that, in time, their pain and hurt will turn into overwhelming pride in who Paul Thomason is, was and always will be to the United States of America and its citizens.

He represents the very best of America because he answered the Scriptural exhortation that says “no greater love hath any man than to lay down his life for a friend.” Sgt. Thomason put his life between a threat and our civilian population. Every single American owes him and his family a tremendous debt of gratitude now and forevermore.

The day was full of emotion, but none greater than when the procession left the First Baptist Church of Sevierville to be met by literally hundreds - if not thousands - of patriotic citizens standing along the roadside waving American flags. I saw a Navy veteran in a wheelchair holding a flag. He was missing his right leg. People stopped their vehicles in the middle of the road, got out and stood at attention as the hearse passed by them.

For a moment, it seemed all of East Tennessee stood at attention to honor this fallen hero.

Just minutes earlier inside the church, Tennessee National Guard leader Adjutant General Gus L. Hargett and a group of military leaders formally presented Sgt. Thomason’s medals to his family, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Not a dry eye could be found in the church as love and pride come together for the full measure of patriotism.

At the graveside, a hillside full of loving friends, family and the best of Tennessee’s military leadership witnessed the twenty-one gun salute and flag presentations to Sgt. Thomason’s family members. Four small children grew restless and then seemed exhausted as the afternoon became evening. For the rest of their lives they will know more than any of us what “freedom is not free” really means.

To Sgt. Paul William Thomason III and his family, we must all say thank you. We will never forget you and your valiant sacrifice for us.