Hughes featured speaker at Whitland Avenue celebration

It is a day that is especially meaningful to David Hughes, a war veteran who served one tour of duty in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan as a Special Forces Officer. He was wounded by an IED in Afghanistan. It just also happens to be the day he was born.

 

This year, Hughes, who serves as Lipscomb’s veterans liaison, was invited to share his experiences at the Whitland Avenue July 4^th Celebration, a 33-year Nashville tradition.

 

“I was honored to share my thoughts and see many of the city’s leaders at the Whitland Avenue July Fourth celebration,” said Hughes.

 

Hughes shared with the crowd of more than 1,000, which included Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, what Independence Day means to a soldier.

 

“This day is significant for me because of what our founding fathers were willing to sacrifice to start this country more than 230 years ago and what our soldiers today are willing to sacrifice to keep this country free,” said Hughes.

 

The day’s activities also included vocalist Ginger Newman singing the national anthem, actor Chip Arnold reading The Declaration of Independence and a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. A parade featuring a band, children riding a variety of decorated bicycles and wagons and a picnic were other highlights of the day.