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State Representative Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) joined with local Veterans Advocate Michelle Mastin Wesnofske, daughter of Late Tech Sergeant Harvey Mastin, to announce details of the upcoming Rutherford County 'Memorial Highway' event to be held Monday, May 30 at 2pm CST at the intersection of Fitzhugh BLVD and Sam Ridley Parkway.

"Many personnel and families of Sewart will forever carry memories of this airfield as it served our nation as a Training Command Base through three conflicts. During World War II, Smyrna Army Airfield was home to the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator heavy bombers and the 76th Flying Training Wing." Representative Sparks stated.

In March 1950, the airfield was renamed in honor of Allan J Sewart Jr., a Nashville resident who had been killed in a bombing mission over the Solomon Islands in November 1942. In addition, numerous military personnel were stationed at Sewart Air Force Base, most prominently the 314th Troop Carrier Wing (1948-1966), the 463rd Troop Carrier Wing (1959-1963), and the 64th Troop Carrier/Tactical Airlift Wing (1966-1971).

The base was officially deactivated on 31 May 1971.

The 2016 'Memorial Highway' effort is an attempt to capture, preserve, and honor the heroes that served at Sewart, along with the wives, children, and dependents whose lives were influenced by Sewart. The event also serves to recognize the impact Sewart has had on the Town of Smyrna, its future, and its help in spurring economic growth.

On the 45th anniversary of the deactivation of Sewart Air Force Base, a portion of highway will be dedicated in its honor.

The ceremony will be attended by members of the Smyrna Fire Department and colors will be presented by Color Guard cadets from the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron TN005.

Representative Mike Sparks stated, "I want to thank Michelle Mastin Wesnofske for this event. Both of our fathers served at Sewart Air Force Base and many here in Rutherford County, including myself, were born at the old Sewart hospital. My late father flew 24 bombing raids over Germany, was shot down, saw his friends killed and I never remember saying, 'Thanks Dad for your service.' Both Michelle and I have had many veterans including local Smyrna Sewart veterans Jim Hill, Dexter Neyman, Jim Bailey, Charles Doom, Wayne Thompson, Ray Bell, Norman Collinson and others who meet for coffee during the week at the Nissan Drive McDonalds, as well as their children who are well pleased to remember the old base and its impact on the town of Smyrna especially on Memorial Day."

A look back into the history of Rutherford County and the Sewart Air Force Base (Interview):

This interview is 10-minutes in length and focuses on Rutherford County history and the Sewart Air Force Base that was once in Smyrna, TN.