Beech Tree News Network

“We must never forget why we have and why we need our military.  Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we have guardians at the gate.”   Allen West

John Fitzgerald Kennedy 35th President of the United States said during his first Inaugural address on January 20, 1961 “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you: ask what you can do for your country.” 

Veteran Richard Thomas Brown has been a prime example of this.  After serving 5 years in the Navy, he continues to serve his country by helping other veterans to receive service-related diagnoses and finances.  He has been and still is an Advocate for Veterans. 

Rick was born in 1968 to Pastor Larry Brown and Wanda Brown in Somerset, Pulaski County, KY. 

He joined the Navy right out of high school.  His first stop was Orlando, Florida and served in communications. He proudly served on the USS Camden and the USS Niagra Falls.  His travels took him to Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Australia, Diego Garcia, Thailand, and Guam. 

During the Iraq conflict, he was in Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.  After retiring, he went to work for the Cincinnati and Evansville Veterans Administration.

Rick and his wife Stacy have two children, Ricki and Willie.  They are in college and attend Eastern Kentucky University.  Stacy attends Owensboro Community College and Rick attends WKU seeking a degree in Agronomy (science of soil management crop production). 

During his time in service Richard Thomas Brown received the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd award); National Defense Service Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal, with Bronze Star; and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  

“I can imagine no more of a rewarding career.  And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction:  I served in the United States Navy.”   John F. Kennedy

We are so honored to present E5 Richard Thomas Brown as our Green River Chapter NSDAR Veteran of the Year 2022.

Everyone is invited, especially Veterans, to our reception to be held at the Morgantown Elementary Cafeteria immediately following the Veterans Parade on Saturday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.

                                                                        Doloris Johnson McKinney, Veteran Chairman