A group of unsung heroes from the area were recently recognized by the local branch of the Republican Party.
Each year, the Carter County Republican selects an organization or charity to make a donation to assist with operations. Members of the Party met Tuesday to bestow a check to the Carter County Honor Guard for their work within the Tri-Cities.
The Party stated the reasoning for the Honor Guard was due to their participation in funeral services for United States military members.
The decision came easy, according to Party Chairman and Elizabethton Fire Department Deputy Chief Rusty Barnett.
“This is really close to my heart,” Barnett said about the donation to the Honor Guard. “With me being in the fire service, we have a color guard. This is very close to my heart because even though we do it differently, we deal with this also. They’re a great group of people that do a tremendous service for the region.”
Johnny Holder, with the Party and a veteran in his own right, thanked the service of the individuals that work with the organization.
The check presentation included members of the Party, along with Ken Nidiffer and Mike Warren with the Honor Guard.
Judy Reed, who serves as the Vice Chair for the local Republican Party, also thanked the service of the individuals and stressed the importance of their mission.
“I belong to the American Legion and I don’t think the community is aware of the valuable service these guys do,” she said. “All the work done by the Honor Guard is by a volunteer basis. It’s also donation only. They don’t receive any funding.
“It’s like today, Ken Nidiffer, who received the donation, was on his way to the VA to participate in the funeral of a veteran that served our country. It’s an organization I support 100 percent,” she added.
The Party also thanked the work performed by Warren.
“Mike Warren is a member of the Republican Party and serves as an Honor Guard member,” Reed said. “We’re extremely proud of the time and effort he puts into the group.”
The Honor Guard is always in search of bulking up the numbers of the organization. For more information on how to contribute, visit the Carter County Tennessee Honor Guard Facebook page online.