Newly promoted Sgt. Alex Mowry honored for his service to Rogersville Armory

Newly promoted Sgt. First Class Alex Mowry and his family were honored Saturday for his many years of service to the Rogersville National Guard Armory.

Mowry will still oversee the Rogersville Armory, but it will be one of several armories under his command, and he will be primarily stationed at the Clinton Armory.

On Saturday Mowry, his wife, and their two small daughters attended the annual Project Serve Our Soldiers Craft Show fundraiser at the Armory.

PSOS collects donations of cash and items to send care packages to Hawkins County soldiers who are on deployment.

The April 5-6 Craft Show is the biggest fundraiser of the year, and PSOS has been ramping up its efforts due to impending deployments later this year from both the Rogersville and Mount Carmel armories.

PSOS founder Corkie Weart was already a bit teary-eyed during Saturday’s ceremony, saying goodbye to Mowry who has worked closely with PSOS since its inception.

But, when PSOS received two consecutive $1,000 contributions during Mowry’s ceremony, Weart couldn’t contain her joy and emotion.

‘A big part of my life’

Mowry started at the Rogersville Armory as a private and worked his way up to staff sergeant prior to this latest promotion.

“Unfortunately to go past that I have to leave, but I have been at this armory for 12-13 years, and this community has been a big part of my life,” Mowry said. “As my wife can attest, I probably spend more time here than I actually do at home. But, I want to thank all of you, and I want to thank my wife as well. It’s easy for me to pick up and go, and lay and sleep somewhere. I’m pretty easy to maintain. But, she takes care of everything while I’m gone. The house. The kids. It’s a lot on her, and I couldn’t do any of this without her.”

Mowry added, “I can’t give enough thanks to the community, and Project Serve Our Soldiers for all you have done for me, my family, and my unit of guys I’ve went through it all with.”

‘Going to miss him deeply’

During the ceremony Weart presented Mowry a plaque in appreciation for all he’s done for PSOS, as well as his own soldiers.

“We know you’ve been promoted, and you’re going to leave us for part of the time — and we’ll still see you every now and then,” Weart told Mowry. “But for all that you’ve done in helping us grow, and helping us to support your folks, and all the rest of the soldiers we support, we present to you this plaque of appreciation.”

PSOS volunteer and event emcee Linda Vincill added, “We want to congratulate you on your promotion. It is well-deserved. He cares for his guys like no other, and has allowed us to care for his guys here as well. We’re going to miss him deeply. And thank you because of what you all give when you have a soldier. We appreciate you all too.”

Chamber of Commerce director Nancy Barker presented Mowry’s wife and two daughters custom made T-shirts which were made with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment emblem.

“We appreciate everything you have done to bring the community back into the National Guard Armory,” Barker said. “To allow us to support you all, and do all the things that we have been allowed to do, and bring awareness to all the things you do and the service that you do. It was easy getting ahold of you, so we’re certainly going to miss you and your family has done.”

‘Just to keep this thing going’

County Mayor Mark DeWitte presented Mowry with a gift certificate for one night at the Hale Springs Inn, as well as a gift card towards a meal at the Inn.

“We deeply appreciate your service, and everybody else who has served or is serving,” DeWitte said.

DeWitte, who is also co-founder of the People Loving People non-profit organization with Dr. Blaine Jones, then presented Weart with a $1,000 donation to PSOS from PLP, “Just to keep this thing going.”

Rep. Gary Hicks said he and all Hawkins County residents appreciate the service Mowry provides every day.

“We want to say thank you for making our country, our state, and our community what it is,” Hicks said.

On behalf of the Committee to Re-Elect Gary Hicks for State Representative, Hicks also presented a check for $1,000 to Weart for PSOS.

A video of the ceremony and these presentations can be seen in the online version of this article at www.therogersvillereview.com

Weart said the April 5-6 Craft Fair was looking to be PSOS’s biggest fundraiser ever. They had the most vendors, and the most visitors ever. In addition to the two $1,000 donations Saturday, and anonymous donor stopped at the craft fair Friday and handed Weart an envelope with $1,000 in cash for PSOS.