Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Army Veteran Alfred Perkins Rogers, Age 102 of Pleasant Hill, TN.
Died May 21, 2024
Alfred Rogers served as a Staff Sergeant in World War II in the Pacific Theater, operating a 40 mm Bofors automatic cannon in the 476th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. His battalion received a Presidential Unit Citation from President Roosevelt for extraordinary heroism under enemy fire on Biak Island, New Guinea, when defending a crucial airfield under attack by Japanese aircraft. After the war, he attended the University of Chattanooga (now UTC), UT Medical School in Memphis, and post-graduate general surgery at Cornell Medical Center in NY and the University of Virginia. He practiced general surgery in Chattanooga for over 40 years before retiring and moving with Carolyn to Pleasant Hill, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Plateau.
In addition to his medical practice, his interests included hiking and camping with his family, gardening, woodworking, motorcycles, steam locomotives, travels to India, and reading biographies and Russian literature. He was one of many volunteers who helped to establish the Tennessee Valley Railway Museum in Chattanooga in the 1970s, working to restore old steam engines and laying the track through the civil war tunnel at Missionary Ridge. In 2003, he participated in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
He was a member of First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga, Pleasant Hill Community Church, Chattanooga Rotary Club, and the Cumberland County Elks Lodge.
Because of his excellent health and mental clarity at age 100, he participated in the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University School of Medicine, which conducts research on “super-agers” and exceptional longevity. As a last act of service, he donated his body to the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis, TN, to help train the next generation of doctors. Following cremation, his ashes will be interred at Rural Cemetery in Adams, NY.
We had a great 8.93 Mile walk. We got to see a beautiful sunrise this morning. We then headed west on Sparta Hwy and walked to Pleasant Hill. We made a stop at the Town Hall to see the War Memorials. We then walked in the area where he lived. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us and I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this hero. We had 142 honks today. Thank you.. It was amazing Thank you.
Army Veteran Alfred Perkins Rogers, You will not be forgotten
Al and Carolyn were very special to me. They were there for my family on many occasions. They were there for us after my husband passed away when my children were young. I will never forget that.