Our walk today was dedicated in honor of :
WWII Army Veteran Charles Austin Mitchell, Age 101 of Sparta, TN.
Died Jun 14, 2022
Dr. Mitchell always set his standards high. As a young commander in World War II right out of college, Capt. Mitchell became a hero to his men and to his country and received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and 4 Battle Stars for heroism and leadership well beyond the call of duty during the Battle of the Bulge. The nation of Belgium bestowed on him the title of Honorary Member of the Fraternite d’Anciennes Combattants for heroic action. In 1998, he had the honor of being present for the commemoration of a plaque saluting the heroism of Capt. Mitchell and the men of the 526th Armored Infantry Battalion A Company at the Chateau de Grimonster in Ferrieres, Belgium, near the battle of Stavelot. As past President of the Veterans of the 526th, he was selected by the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, VA. He is still praised and called a hero by those of his men who survive and their families who keep in touch with their esteemed and much-loved Capt. Mitchell. His heroism during WW II has been documented in several books of history and on the Internet. There is a display of memorabilia from Capt. Mitchell’s WW II career in the Veteran’s Museum of White County in Sparta.
Dr. Mitchell’s civic contributions are many: 3-time President and ever-active member of the Sparta Rotary Club, major donor to the Rotarian Foundation and, as a Rotarian, a founding contributor to The Veterans Park of Sparta where he is represented on the Wall of Honor: In his 99th year, Dr. Mitchell was named as “Rotarian of the Year” and commended for his years of service to the community; member of the Board of the United Methodist Church and Sunday School teacher for over 50 years; a certified Master Gardener who wrote a monthly gardening column in the Sparta Expositor for many years; the first Chief of Staff of White County Community Hospital; a proud and active governing member of the Board of Directors of Burgess Falls State Park; a long-time member of the Sparta-White County Chamber of Commerce, having served as Chairman of the Board of Directors; active contributor to and on the Board of Trustees of the White County Library where there is an outdoor sitting area dedicated to his wife, Annie Martin Mitchell; White County Citizen of the Year, founding donor to Sparta Recreational Park which bears a plaque commemorating the civic contributions of his wife, Annie Martin; instrumental in establishing the Red Cross Bloodmobile Program in White County and continued to be an active supporter with his gifts and volunteer work; a donor and active supporter of his alma mater, the University of Tennessee. On his 100th birthday, the mayor and city of Sparta proclaimed October 1, 2020 “Charles A. Mitchell Day.”
He is buried in the Highland Cemetery, Sparta, TN.
We had a great 3.05 Mile walk today in Sparta, TN. We walked from the Veterans Park down town to the Highland Cemetery and then we walked threw the park and made stop at the Old Sparta Cemetery and visited a few Fallen Brothers before stopping in at the Military Museum. We then ended the walk back at the Veterans Park down town. I want to thank Marnell Cothran, Chris Sapp, Steve, Sherry, and Robert for walking with us today and helping me honor this hero. It was a great walk and a great honor to walk with Army Veteran Charles A. Mitchell who we will never forget !
Much love and respect to you. Thank you for doing such an amazing tribute to our much loved hero, Doc Mitchell. He will he remembered in so many hearts. Never forget.