My walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Navy Veteran ADC Cecil W. Callahan, Age 87 of Monterey, TN.
Died Nov. 22, 2008
Mr. Callahan was a happy Christian and had a lifelong affliction common to Irish descendents, a wanderlust. He began as a teenager to explore the next mountain or river including a tour with the Al ah Swingsters Swing Band to Melbourne, Florida in 1939. He graduated from Monterey High School in 1940 and from the University of Oklahoma in 1958. He was an athlete playing in the 1940 Tennessee East-West All Star Football Game in Memphis. Mr. Callahan joined the United States Navy in September 1940 and served until September 1960 as an aviation machinist mate retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. His service was mainly in the South Pacific and in Asia. In addition, Mr. Callahan worked in a king crab cannery in Kodiak, Alaska, was a teacher and coach in the Putnam County school system (Monterey High School and Capshaw Elementary School), and worked on the Tennessee Central and Norfolk Southern Railroads with 26 years of service before retiring again in 1986.
We had an amazing 6.52 Mile walk today. After meeting his daughter at his grave in the Whittaker Cemetery in Monterey, TN. we headed out to the Mountain Confederate Memorial Park. I want to thank my friend for walking with us today and I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this hero.
Navy Veteran ADC Cecil W. Callahan will not be forgotten !
