FRANKLIN, Tennessee—Eight decades after the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp by a local hero’s Army unit and two years after his passing at the age of 96, a bronze memorial statue honoring Coach Jimmy Gentry and the Lost Heroes of Williamson County will be unveiled at Five Points in Downtown Franklin Monday, April 29th at 10 a.m.
After the unveiling, Ken Carpenter’s celebrated film adapted from Gentry’s book “An American Life” will be screened at the Franklin Theatre. Free seating is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
WHO:
Franklin Mayor Ken Moore
Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson
Alderman Brandy Blanton
Leadership Franklin team: Stacey Downs, Ondrea Johnson, Carrie Drury, Lance Jordan
Members of the Gentry Family
Sculptor Scott Wise
Tennessee Army National Guard Honor Guard
A host of veterans and community leaders
WHAT;
The unveiling of the “Lost Heroes” Memorial, honoring the 3,500 Williamson County men who deployed from Franklin’s Five Points to combat in World War II, of which 600 were killed in action. Gentry’s unit discovered and liberated the Dachau concentration camp on April 29, 1945; he made it home from the war, but his brother David did not. Gentry became a legendary teacher and coach and the patriarch of local treasure Gentry’s Farm.
WHEN: Monday, April 29, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Five Points, (5th Avenue and Main Street near Post Office), Downtown Franklin
This event is free and open to the public. Fifth Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic until after the ceremony. Free parking is available in marked spots around Downtown Franklin and the two City parking garages on Second and Fourth Avenues.
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