My walk was dedicated in honor of:
Army Sgt. Joseph D. Hunt, Age 27 of Sweetwater, TN.
KIA Aug. 22, 2005 when an IED detonated near his Humvee in Iraq during Iraqi Freedom.
He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee National Guard, Sparta, TN.
He was a “country boy” whose biggest joys in life were his two young sons. And the No. 1 thing on his mind was to be a great father. In his service to military, he was proud of what he was doing, he felt like he was accomplishing something. He was killed in Samarra, Iraq, when they were conducting patrol operations and an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV.
Joey Hunt, as he is remembered by us, was our oldest child. He lived in Sweetwater all his life. He loved sports of any kind and the outdoors. He leaves behind two beautiful little boys. He joined the Tennessee National Guard in 1999. When he was called upon to go to war he went gladly, eager to serve his country. He related many stories to us about his time in Iraq and kept in touch as often as possible. Joey was with the 278th 3rd division combat team knife stationed in Iraq. Just a few weeks from coming home his humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. He was much loved and is greatly missed by all who knew him.
On May 19, 2006 Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen signed a bill from the Tennessee Legislature honoring the memory of Sergeant Joseph D. Hunt, of Sweetwater, with a memorial bridge located on State Route 840 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. State Route 840 was designated in the Public Acts of 2005 as the Tennessee National Guard Parkway and has several intersections and bridges dedicated to the memory of fallen Tennessee National Guardsmen. The Sergeant Joseph D. Hunt Memorial Bridge was dedicated September 28, 2007 and is located on State Road 840 at the West Fork of Stones River in Rutherford county.
Had a great walk today. I want to thank everyone who honked and waved in helping me honor this hero. He will not be forgotten.
