(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally appeared in the Buffalo River Review and is reprinted with permission.)

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1123 of Perry County would like to thank everyone who came to the Azbill Community Center in Linden on Tuesday, August 6, to attend the presentation of the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal and the Korean War Memorial Certificate to the families of four brothers who served in the Korean War: Thomas Harvel Donaldson, U.S. Air Force; Ernest Melvin Donaldson, U.S. Army; Arie Gafford Donaldson, U.S. Army; and Arthur Preston Donaldson, U.S. Army.

The families of the four brothers, all of whom have died, were presented with the Ambassador For Peace Medal, an award given by the South Korean government to U.S. Korean War veterans.

All of the brothers were born in Lewis County but lived in Dickson County, according to Arthur Donaldson Jr. Research has shown that no other family had so many brothers serve in the Korean War. The sole survivor policy, implemented during World War II after the deaths of the five Sullivan brothers, was designed to prevent an entire family from serving at the same time.

Dale Long, President of the Perry County VVA, gave a brief welcome and thanked all the veterans and spouses who helped set up the room and prepare the food for the ceremony.

Approximately 67 family members, veterans, spouses, guest speakers and community members were in attendance at the ceremony.

Other speakers included Ed Junod, co-founder and past president of VET-to-VET Tennessee; Lanny Culver, former department commander of the American Legion Department of Tennessee; Blake Neely, field representative for Senator Marsha Blackburn; Steve Allbrooks, field representative for Congressman Mark Green; and MG Tommy H. Baker (retired),
Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services.

Commissioner Baker presented the Korean Ambassador of Peace Medal and VVA President Long presented the Korean War Commemorative Certificate to the families of the four brothers.

The following family members were present to accept the awards: Arie Donaldson Jr., Travis J. Donaldson, Arthur Preston Donaldson Jr., Nanette Coke, Norma Jean Cathey, Dennis (Keri) Donaldson, Malcolm (Angie) Donaldson, Lisa Holt, Donald Donaldson and Brenda Donaldson.