Fallen Marine honored on Veteran's Day

  • Published
  • By Whitney Rogers
  • AEDC/PA
Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. --  Linda Clemons, mother of fallen Marine Private First Class Nathan B. Clemons, quoted John 15:13 to describe her son at Operation Never Forget's unveiling ceremony Sunday at the Franklin County courthouse. 

"Greater love has no one than this, that he may lay down his life for his friends," she said. 

"Nathan gave his life so that everyone in this great country could live, work, worship and carry on with life, while enjoying the freedoms that a lot of people just take for granted." 

Operation Never Forget unveiled a life-like, life-size professionally sculpted bronze bust of Private Clemons, who died when an insurgent stepped in front of his reconnaissance patrol and detonated an explosive device in June 2005 near Ar Rutbah, Iraq. Private Clemons' bust will permanently be displayed on the grounds outside the Franklin County courthouse. 

Clemons told of her son's love for the outdoors and his family. Fishing was his favorite sport - he would stay outside all day and fish and talk to people. She said that Nathan's family meant the world to him, and he never left home without telling his parents he loved them. 

His family wasn't surprised when Nathan came home and told them he had joined the Marines. According to his mother, he grew up wanting to be in the military. 

"He left a boy and came back a man," David Clemons said of him when he returned home from basic training. "He learned so much about life." 

The ceremony, which honored  both Private Clemons and veterans, featured Congressman  Lincoln Davis as the keynote speaker for the event. Norman W. Nash from the Department of Veterans Affairs,  Arnold Engineering Development Center's Commander Col. Art Huber and Marine Corps League Commandant Lt. Col. Buddy Smith, (ret.) were guest speakers. 

Nash presented a proclamation  to Franklin County Mayor Richard Stewart on behalf of Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, officially declaring  Nov. 11 Veteran's Day in Tennessee. 

After presenting the proclamation, Nash spoke about Veterans and what they have provided for the country. 

"The title 'veteran' must be earned. It speaks of courage and sacrifice in mortal danger. Veterans do not seek praise for their service. There are no words that can describe their services," he said. "Veterans are hidden heroes. What veterans have given to our community, we can never fully repay." 

Colonel Art Huber said Private Clemons' sacrifice will never be forgotten. 

"His bust will serve as a constant  reminder to the citizens of this country, to passers-by, to visitors and even people who have yet been born, that he and many veterans like him have given us the greatest gift... one that ensures that we and generations to come can continue to live in freedom," Colonel Huber said. 

Colonel Huber also reminded that people like Private Clemons put their lives on the line for our freedom daily. 

"Every day brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines awake in foreign lands and go out to do their duty, not for America the place, but for America the ideal. And because of them, we are allowed to awake each day under the warm and comfortable blanket of freedom  that they have bequeathed to us," he said. "Because this Marine and his brothers and sisters stood upon a wall and declared that no one will harm us, we are able to rest easy and secure in the knowledge that our backs are defended." 

Keynote speaker Congressman  Lincoln Davis spoke about his visit to Alvin C. York's home. 

He also spoke about his trips to Walter Reed and meeting soldiers that had lost all of their limbs. Congressman Davis keeps a list of the 12 soldiers from Tennessee who have been killed in the War on Terror and prays for their families daily. 

Private Clemons is number six on the congressman's list. 

"We live in a wonderful country, a beautiful place," Congressman Davis said. "We choose our leaders - president, congressman and senators - because Nathan and others like him have given us that right and freedom." 

Colonel Smith left the audience  with words of encouragement  that today's Marines continue to carry the torch and assured the audience of his confidence  in America's military.  "Because of men like Private Clemons," Colonel Smith said, "we can rest knowing the ordinary  freedoms we enjoy everyday  will never be infringed."