 His legacy |
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Poem Written by Autumn L. Kruer KPG Member
Author Autumn L. Kruer
KPG Member
This was my poem for Cpl. Rusty Washam of Huntsville, TN
from February. I was despondent that I was not able to honor
this young man and felt a need to write something in his behalf.
It may not be inspiring to some, but anyone of Appalachian
origin will relate to it, and Rusty Washam was of
Appalachian origin. I was compelled to write this for him.
The Cumberlands are your sentinels,
ancient, possessive, patiently they stand,
to hold you and embrace you,
in your dear Appalachian land.
The mist swirls through the hollows,
to rise and leave its dew,
on everything for miles around,
as the mountains cry for you.
They've harbored so many like you,
warriors who were to be free,
if only to live life amongst them,
regardless what price that would be.
Oh, America, holds you in its heart,
and as only America can do,
but you're a son of sweet Appalachia,
and the Cumberlands claim you, too.
Forever you'll be amongst them,
this place that you have called home,
nestled deep within her hills,
where you once were free to roam.
Oh, son of Appalachia,
my heart, it grieves for you,
but you'll always be amongst us,
for the mountains will ring true.
We will remember and we will cherish,
those who were lost and fought,
Rusty Washam, lie in peace,
for you'll never be forgotten.
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Poems written by friends of the family
Rusty was the first from Scott County, Tennessee to be killed in Iraq. This is a poem that was written by one of
Rusty's best Friends Wesley Smith
My Best Friend, Rusty Washam
My best friend was Rusty Washam
He went to the Marines & It cost him
It was Valentine's Day when he died
It just hit me & there I cried
I received that call late that night
I know all day something wasn't right
It took eight days to get his body
It was hard for everyone deep within
To me, it just don't seem real
But now My Best Friend is gone
And everything seems so very wrong
It was so hard all that week
Everyone in the County sat & weeped
Now I know it wasn't a lie
Now to My Best Friend I say goodbye
I Love You Bro, I wish it wasn't your last ride
I miss you for now, But I'll see you on the other side.
This poem was written by Gabriella Marlow a 5th grader at the time Rusty was killed that went to school at
Fairview Elementary School with Rusty's nephew.
To Our War Hero Rusty Washam
Not just another falling soldier passing on, for a loved one such as a daddy, brother, uncle, son, and friend.
A special person loved his job, as he fulfilled his job from God. Loved his family very dear with a heart of kindness, joy, forgiveness, and salvation. He sacrificed his life as he left this earth, for you and me, his life true. I guess you could say anyone would be proud of him today.
As a saint he sits by god as he is crowned with a crown
that says "JOB WELL DONE!"
For he has done his job here on earth,
no more pain to bare or deaths to see,
waiting for his Christian family.
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Resolution to name bridge in honor of Rusty & his Uncle Denny!
A RESOLUTION to name a bridge on State Route 63 in Scott County in honor of the late Corporal Rusty Lee Washam and the late Private First Class Denny Lee Washam, both of the United States Marine Corps.
WHEREAS, from time to time, the members of this General Assembly have seen fit to name certain highways and bridges to honor the memory of those courageous members of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in the defense of our nation; and
WHEREAS, no person is more deserving of this honor than the late Corporal Rusty Lee Washam, who was killed in action while performing combat operations in Iraq on February 14, 2006, and Private First Class (PFC) Denny Lee Washam, who was killed by enemy fire while engaged in battle with the North Vietnamese on December 8, 1968, at Quang Nam Province, Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Rusty Lee Washam and PFC Denny Lee Washam both followed the patriotic tradition for which Scott County and the Volunteer State are renowned by serving with distinction in the United States Marine Corps (USMC); and
WHEREAS, in addition to being fellow Marines, they were related by blood: Rusty Lee Washam was Denny Lee Washam's nephew; and
WHEREAS, a proud American and a proud United States Marine, Corporal Rusty Lee Washam was engaged in a special security mission in Iraq as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, USMC, at the time of his death; he had previously served with distinction in Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Washam received numerous decorations for his courageous service as a Marine, including the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Service), and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, a 2003 graduate of Scott County High School, Rusty Lee Washam was a loving son, and father; and
WHEREAS, PFC Denny Lee Washam 1st Marine Division, USMC, was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic service in combat on December 8, 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, upon observing two fellow Marines fall wounded in a dangerously exposed area, he crawled to their aid without hesitation while under heavy enemy fire; while assisting the wounded Marines to a position of relative safety, he was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper; and
WHEREAS, PFC Washam also received other decorations for his valiant service as a Marine, including the Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, and Vietnamese Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, a native of Scott County, Denny Lee Washam was a 1966 graduate of Norma High School; and
WHEREAS, like thousands of others of this nation's sons and daughters, Corporal Washam and PFC Washam did not shrink from serving in combat, believing in the justice of the cause to protect our national security and liberty and to free an oppressed people; and
WHEREAS, only twenty-one years of age at the time of their respective deaths, Corporal Washam and PFC Washam served with great courage and gallantry, giving their lives or their country and for the causes in which they believed, and for that ultimate sacrifice, these brave soldiers deserve proper recognition; and
WHEREAS, Rusty Lee Washam's and Denny Lee Washam's dedication to excellence in the USMC and their love for their family, their fellow Marines, and their country, as exemplified in their sacrifice of life itself in defense of all that they held dear, stand as enduring examples of the characteristics that have ensured the continued freedom of our nation and the preservation of its ideals over the course of our history; and
WHEREAS, it is most appropriate for this General Assembly to permanently
commemorate the singular patriotism, courage, and commitment to duty of the late Corporal Rusty Lee Washam and the late Private First Class Denny Lee Washam by naming a certain bridge in their native Scott County in their honor; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that the bridge spanning Buffalo Creek on State Route 63 in Scott County is hereby designated as the "Corporal Rusty Lee Washam - PFC Denny Lee Washam Memorial Bridge" in recognition of the lives of valor and death in combat of Corporal Rusty Lee Washam and Private First Class Denny Lee Washam, both of the United States Marine Corps.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Transportation is directed to erect suitable signs or to affix suitable markers designating the bridge spanning the Buffalo Creek on State Route 63 in Scott County as the "Corporal Rusty Lee Washam - PFC Denny Lee Washam Memorial Bridge".
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Our little brother
Rusty was born February 11, 1985 weighing 9lbs. 11oz.
Rusty's sister Michelle holding him.
We was all so happy the day he came home from the hospital.
Rusty was such a happy baby always smiling.
Rusty standing on his head he was always
putting on a big show for everyone.
Rusty(on the right) & his brother Dustin(on the left).
Rusty's big brother Donny holding him at Cove Lake Park.
Rusty & his brothers Donny & Dustin
were always wrestling with their dad.
Rusty & his sister Misty on easter.
Rusty waiting to hunt eggs.
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Our Little Brother
(in Front) Rusty and his niece Kasie
(in back) Victoria, Crystal & Rusty's sister Lilly
Rusty played basketball for the Fairview Rebels
at Fairview Elementary School wearing the #21
both of his brothers wore the same number his nephew
Cory goes to the same school he also wears the #21.
Rusty also played football for Fairview and
then went on to play for Scott High School
he really liked it better than basketball he
wore the #84 both of his brothers Donny
& Dustin also wore the #84.
Six months after Rusty was killed
On August 18, 2006 Scott High Schools 1st home
game of the season #84 Jersey that Rusty wore
was retired in memory of Rusty it will never be worn again.
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