Tennessee State Veterans Home celebrates former service members with special ceremony

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — The Tennessee State Veterans Home in Humboldt hosted a special cake cutting event recognizing veterans as well as the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps.

The celebration has a tradition of passing a piece of cake to the oldest and youngest member in the room to recognize the different generations.

This event also observed Mr. Joel Murray, who is a veteran and an artist that created a pencil drawing called “Reflections” Murray expresses his vision behind his artwork.

“I have five people looking into a reflection pool. What they see is their grandparents who served in World War II reflections that their thoughts are what they saw,” said Murray.

He also describes how he obtained an interest in making artwork.

“I’ve always loved to draw since I was four years old. When I was big enough to pick up a pencil, I think I started out looking at the funny papers comics,” said Murray.

Author of the book called “Rescued” Andy Vistrand, who is also a veteran, was in attendance and shares what his book is about.

“My book is the story of how I had moved down here to Jackson, Tennessee and I feel like god inserted this dog in my life and it saved my life. I wrote the story about that,” said Vistrand.

Vistrand is an award-winning author who received a bronze medal from the Military Writers Society of America.

He was excited to recognize his fellow veterans and be apart of Tuesday’s celebration. The cake cutting celebration is held every year.

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