Spc. 4 Andrew Wilson looks at the proclamation declaring it Andrew Wilson Day. Vice Mayor Rod Freeman, right, makes the presentation. BHP Photo.

By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
At approximately 11:38 Tuesday, December 20, 2011 was officially declared Andrew Wilson Day in Brentwood.

Even better than the proclamation was the fact that Andrew, the 24-year-old “wounded warrior” and Specialist 4 with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division based in Ft. Drum, N.Y. – was home in Brentwood to hear the news for himself as Vice Mayor Rod Freeman read the city’s proclamation.

Top, U.S. veterans on hand to welcome Andrew Wilson home include Paul Napoli, right, and Pony Maples, seated. Middle, Brentwood Police Chief Ricky Watson watches as the motorcade prepares to turn into the old Murray Ohio building parking lot; below, Wilson shakes hands with Clarksville City Commissioner Nick Steward, who represented Gov. Bill Haslam and Tuesday morning's event. All photos for Brentwood Home Page by Peg Fredi.

A small crowd of approximately 50 veterans and city, county and state representatives huddled under the front awning at the Murray Ohio building to greet Andrew and his family as they arrived in a limo being led by 40 other veterans on motorcycles, all part of the Patriot Guard Riders.

“I’m Ricky Watson and we’re real proud of you,” Brentwood Police Chief Ricky Watson told Andrew as he shook his hand seconds after Andrew was helped from the stretch limo into his wheelchair.

Watson was the unofficial chairman and main cog in the wheel behind Wilson’s return to a renovated Brentwood home and hero’s welcome.

County Commissioner Bert Chalfant, who spent 39 years in active duty, was among the handful of veterans who shared a private word with Wilson. Prior to Wilson’s arrival, he said he was there to honor Andrew because he felt indebted to him.

“It’s a special day,” Chalfant said. “I didn’t finish the job, so he had to take the results of it.”

It was a sentiment he repeated almost verbatim to Andrew when given the opportunity to shake his hand.

“I’m sorry we didn’t finish the job,” Chalfant told him.

Paul Napoli, representing the “Costco Veterans” – a group of local vets who meet every Friday at the warehouse store for lunch and to visit, and Patrick McGuffey, representing the group that calls itself the Cathedral Veterans, both had quiet moments with Andrew and each presented him with a card and cash collected from their respective groups.

Perhaps the most touching moment came, however, when 77-year-old Pony Maples, a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, met Andrew, wheelchair to wheelchair.

After the motorcade left, Maples said he was very important to him to be part of a group of veterans that really loved the military, referring to the Costco groups.

 “I really admire that young man,” the Nashville resident said.

Clarksville Ward 1 City Councilman Nick Steward, who represents Fort Campbell, made a presentation to Andrew on behalf of Gov. Bill Haslam.