The Fayette Falcon

07/08/2025

Double blessings for Putnam H. Green
Putnam H. Green was born on November 14, 1924, and was raised in Memphis. He graduated from South Side High School in May 1943. From high school he joined the Navy. He was sent to "Boot Camp" at Camp Perry, Virginia. After boot camp completion, he was sent to Camp Parks, California. There the 4th Battalion was formed with additional CBs from Alaska, nicknamed the "Penguins" for their prior Alaska duty station. The 4th Battalion was sent to Port Hueneme, California., for specific Construction Battalion training. The battalion was sent to San Francisco, California. to board a Troop Carrier Transport Ship for transit to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. There they constructed barracks for all military services.
After completion of assigned construction tasks, the 4th Battalion loaded up in a Troop Carrier Heading to the Island of Guam in the South Pacific, the ship made stops at several Islands in the South Pacific. Arriving at Guam during combat operations, the 4th Battalion constructed hospitals, troop barracks, submarine base, ammunition dumps, and Admiral Chester Nimitz headquarters.
The 4th Battalion loaded up in a Landing Ship Tank (LST), also known as a "Long Slow Target" with men, supplies and equipment. For the next mission was the Pacific Island of Okinawa. The LST made mission stops at the Marianas, Tinian and Saipan. Arriving at Okinawa, the 4th Battalion constructed Quonset Huts for troops from European Theater to set up for the invasion of Japan. The CBs built storage facilities, airstrips, ammunition dumps, and barracks. The enemy was still making attacks. One instance, a Japanese su***de craft, called a "baka bomb", which is a glide bomb, manned with a pilot, is dropped from a Japanese bomber that carries 2, under its wings. The bomb landed on the ground intact, with the pilot alive. While on Okinawa, on September 2, 1945, the Japanese surrendered.
After much celebration, the 4th Battalion loaded up the ship and headed for San Francisco. CM3 Green headed home on a train and was Honorably Discharged at Millington Naval Air Station.
CM3 Green received several awards for service. American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Campaign Medal, WWll Victory Medal, Occupation Service Medal, Navy Expert Rifle Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and several Unit Letters of Commendation.
He is proud to be called a Navy CB and always wears his CB ballcap and talks with younger CBs and Navy Veterans.
CM3 P.H. GREEN was 100 years old on November14, 2024. He maybe the oldest CB.
A memorial monument for the Naval Construction Battalion (SEABEES) was dedicated on June 27 at the National Veterans Cemetery in Memphis. SEABEE personal from several from various SEABEE Detachments were present for the ceremony.
Putnam H. Green, a World War II veteran SEABEE was honored for his service in the Pacific Combat Theater of Operations on several Japanese held islands. He is recognized as possibly the oldest living SEABEE at over 100 years old.

07/08/2025

School Board votes McPherson as the new Director of Fayette County Schools
By: Carolyn Rhea,
Staff Writer
The Fayette County School Board met on Wednesday, July 2 in a special called meeting to select a permanent Director of Schools. School board attorney Tom Minor chaired the meeting.
Attending were all members Warner Speakman, David Reeves, Melanie Mc-Guire, Hal Rounds, Merrel Miller, Myles Wilson, and Becky Trimm.
Public Comments
Myron Massey stated that he recently spoke with the Tennessee Education Association president and looks forward to bringing some unity to the teachers in this area. They committed to some professional development. I hope to bring the voice of the teachers.
Civil Miller-Watkins said I have sat on this board and hired a superintendent. I hope you choose someone to end this chaos and unease. This board should act as a liaison with the community. Choose well, she said.
Last was Elton Holmes who asked that the new superintendent come up with a policy to give answers to questions from the community. This may cut down on some of the animosity.
Selection
Mr. Minor gave directions on how to choose the director. There are two finalists, Dr. Don McPherson and Mr. Eddie Keel. Dr. Tameka Lewis withdrew her name from consideration. On July 1 she formally resigned by July 25.
There is no motion and second required tonight be-fore taking a roll call vote. With eight board members, it requires not less than five votes to be selected. On the first roll call vote, if no one receives five votes, the board members can change their vote. If no one receives five votes, another roll call vote can be requested. Any board member can abstain and then change their vote.
Minor stated if no one receives the five votes, Mr. Keel will continue as the temporary interim director until a permanent one is selected. If a director is not selected by July 25 the board may if they deem necessary enter into a director’s contract with Mr. Keel.
The first roll call vote was held. Voting for McPherson were Reeves, Speakman, Trimm, and Miller. Voting for Keel was Rounds. Passing was Wilson and abstaining were Powers and McGuire. McPherson had four, Keel had one and two abstains and one pass.
Another vote was held. Voting for McPherson were Powers, Reeves, Trimm, Miller, and Speakman. Voting for Keel was Rounds. Abstaining was McGuire and passing was Wilson. McPherson then received five votes and was chosen as the new permanent superintendent.
The next item was if the board wants to allow temporary interim director Keel to stay in place until Dr. McPherson is employed. A motion was made to do this and a roll call vote was held. Voting yes were Rounds, Powers, Reeves, Trimm, Speakman, and Miller. Voting no were McGuire and Wilson. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned.

07/01/2025

07/01/2025

Somerville Methodist Church was filled with laughter, music, and the joyful energy of children and youth attending this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS). The theme, “Let Me Tell You About My Jesus,” served as the foundation for the week, guiding every lesson, craft, and song as participants explored the gospel message. Each day, students learned how God calls ordinary people to share the Good News, reflecting the church’s motto of being in a place “where love abides”.

07/01/2025

Friends and family gathered on Thursday, June 26, 2025, to dedicate a memorial bridge in honor of the late Charlie Thomas Springer, Jr. Charlie was a lifelong resident of Fayette County, attended county schools, and graduated from Fayette County High School in 1968, the same year that he and his wife, Phyllis, were married. They have a son, Tommy Springer and a daughter, Melissa Springer Tatum. The bridge is located on Old Solomon Mill Road, near Warren Road and Feathers Chapel Drive, and was one of Charlie’s favorite places. County Commissioner Tommy Perkins read a resolution about Charlie and County Mayor Skip Taylor also spoke. Tommy, Phyllis with blue folder, and Melissa are standing under the bridge sign.

06/10/2025

06/06/2025

Vikings 2025 Football Schedule 🏈

06/01/2025

The Fayette County Farm Bureau Women recently sponsored their Annual Fourth Grade "Farm to Fork" Poster Contest. Front row, left to right: Hadleigh Simons-1st place; Lorelai Dowdy-4th place; Nora West-4th place. Second row, left to right: Eli Brown-2nd place; Olen Rhea-2nd place; Deborah Swett-3rd place; Arik Brisco-4th place. The Elementary Art Teacher at Fayette Acacdemy is Laura Walker.

06/01/2025

The Women's Ministry of Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church is helping to stock the shelves of the Fayette Cares emergency food pantry. Pictured is Ms. Fannie Vinson with a generous donation. To host a food drive, visit FayetteCares.org/food-wish-list or call (901) 465-3802 to learn more.

06/01/2025

Fayette-Ware's Tacarien Freeman and Tarecous Stevens along with Fayette Academy's Corbin Bowling played in the 2025 Golden Circle High School All-Star Basketball Game at Trinity Christian Academy on Saturday. Check out these photos from the trio playing in the game.
📸 by Pam Dietz

05/22/2025

On Tuesday, Fayette-Ware was well-represented at the Class AA state track & field meet at Middle Tennessee State University. Check out these photos from Cameron Jones in the discus, Travis York in the shot put, the 4x400 mixed relay team and Morgan Crutcher in the 100-meter hurdles.
📸 by Christel Laney

05/18/2025

On May 12, 2025, Williston and Fayette County resident Leroy Shaw, Jr. was presented with a plaque by Children and Family Services Executive Director Sonja Gwin to commemorate his 43 years of service to the organization. Children and Families Services, Inc. (formerly Tri-County Family Services) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Covington, TN and founded in 1982 by Mr. Shaw and former Covington Alderwoman Minnie Bommer to provide comprehensive social services in Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton counties. Mr. Shaw has served many roles including organizer, CEO, grant writer and Board Chair. Children and Family Services currently operates in most West Tennessee counties including Fayette County.