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Colonel Elmer Follis
USAF, Retired
Native Memphian. Graduated for Memphis State University with highest honors, Summa Cum Laude.
Served 32 year in U.S. Marine Corp and U.S. Air Force. Served as a fighter pilot, reconnaissance pilot and instructor pilot in early Air Force career and in command and staff positions during later years. His career was primarily centered in nuclear operations and he sat nuclear alert in fighter aircraft all over the world.
Flew 400 combat missions, 100 during the Korean conflict and 300 during Vietnam. Has been awarded over 50 medals and citations including the DSSM, The Legion of Merit, five (5) Distinguished Flying Crosses, twenty (20) Air Medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Notable Assignments:
1. NATO, Chief of Nuclear Operations for Central Europe.
2. NATO, Director of Operations and Plans for Turkish and Greek NATO committed aircraft.
3. Commander, U.S. Air Force Avionics Technical Training School.
4. Director of Operations for the German Air Force Pilot Training Program. Was rated as a Command Pilot in the German Luftwaffe.
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Honoring All Veterans
May 31, 2021
(Monday)
West Tennessee
Veterans Cemetery
4000 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Memphis, TN 38125
Office hours – M-F 8:00am- 4:30pm
Our gates are open 24/7
Rodney Shaw Director #901-543-7005
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. -Laurance Binyon, Poems for the Fallen
Quick Links to other sites
Flag Placement Day
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Saturday, May 27th
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Scout Program - 9:00 am
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Flag Placement - 9:20 am
Master of Ceremonies
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Joseph D Kyles, Retired Shelby County Coordinator for Veterans Services
11:00 AM
National Anthem
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Lonnie Coleman
Flyover
Birddogs and Stearman
Posting of Colors
164th AW Memphis Belle Honor Guard
Fayette-Ware Honor Guard
Navy JROTC
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Daylon Harris
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Kamarion Bond
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Sean Frost
Pledge of Allegiance
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All
Invocation
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Reverend Robert Clark, Jr., Piperton United Methodist Church
Welcome/Remarks
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Rodney Shaw, Director West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery
Guest Speaker
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Ken Wells
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Former Captain USAF
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F-4 Phantom Pilot
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POW, Vietnam
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Gold Star Family member
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Memorial Day Music
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Bartlett Community Band under the direction of Dr. Rhendle Millen
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Bagpipes, Dr. Ben Kemker
God Bless America
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All
21 Gun Salute
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Germantown Police Honor Guard
Taps
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Sgt. Charly L Wells, Sr., USMC Bugler
Retiring the Colors
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164th AW Memphis Belle Honor Guard
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Fayette-Ware Honor Guard
Navy JROTC
GOLF CART TRANSPORTATION
PROVIDED AS NEEDED
Flag Retrieval Day
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Saturday, June 3rd
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Begins at 9 a.m.
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Weather Permitting
(Flags must be dry for storage)
Flag Placement Day
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Saturday, November 11th
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Begins at 9 a.m.
Nov. 11, 2023
(Saturday)
Begins at 2:00 PM
Memorial Day
Heading 6
Veterans Day
May 29, 2023
(Monday)
Begins at 11:00 AM
West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery will be the only cemetery with flags displayed on every grave
Master of Ceremonies
-
Joseph D Kyles, Retired Shelby County Coordinator for Veterans Services
2:00 PM
National Anthem
-
Lonnie Coleman
Flyover
Posting of Colors
-
Fayette-Ware Honor Guard
Navy JROTC
Pledge of Allegiance
-
All
Invocation
-
Reverend Robert Clark, Jr. Piperton United Methodist Church
Welcome/Remarks
-
Rodney Shaw, Director West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery
Guest Speaker
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Colonel Elmer Follis
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US Air Force (Ret.)
Veterans Day Music
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Bartlett Community Band under the direction of Dr. Rhendle Millen
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Bagpipes: Ben Kemker
Armed Forces Medley
God Bless America
-
All
21 Gun Salute
-
Germantown Police Honor Guard
Taps
-
Sgt. Charly L Wells, Sr., USMC Bugle
Retiring the Colors
GOLF CART TRANSPORTATION
PROVIDED AS NEEDED
Flag Retrieval Day
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Saturday, November 18th
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Begins at 9 a.m.
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Weather Permitting
(Flags must be dry for storage)
Dec. 16, 2023
(Saturday)
Begins at 11:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony
Placement of Wreaths
Veterans
Grave Locator
