10th Annual Wings of Freedom Fish Fry Huge Success!

Smyrna Rotary Club's 10th annual Wings of Freedom Fish Fry raised more than $64,000. The Boys & Girls Club will be one of the non-profits to benefit from this past weekend's event. Some past recipients have been Read to Succeed literacy program, Meals on Wheels and Smyrna Senior Citizens.

Smyrna Rotarian and spokesperson Kathie Meadow said, "There seemed to be a consensus that this year's theme of honoring the women in the military was the event's strongest direction. First Sergeant Jody Barnes of Shebyville brought tears to eyes as she sang the National Anthem. All women who have served in military from World War II to current were brought forward for honors, cheers and standing ovation. Tennessee Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester, the first female recipient of the Silver Star since World War II, was honored by all with a standing ovation and cheers as well. It was clear Tennessee is proud of our serving women!"

Saturday evening's Wings of Freedom Fish Fry was held in the Corporate Flight Hangar next to the main terminal on Doug Warpoole Drive.

Paul Harris Fellow

During the Wings of Freedom Fish Fry, the Smyrna Rotary Club bestowed the international civic club's honor on John Yarborough. He became a Paul Harris Fellow.

Left photo L-R: Yarborough and Smyrna Rotary Past President Mike Waller.

Paul Harris started the world's first Rotary Club in Chicago back in 1905. As a new Paul Harris Fellow, Yarborough received a commemorative certificate, a Paul Harris Fellow pin, and a medallion.

Last year the Wings of Freedom Fish Fry raised over $60,000 and this year it was $4,000 over that high mark. Since 2003 the Smyrna Rotary Club has raised over $410,000 for worthy causes through this patriotic event.

More On Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester

Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester was toasted at the event. The Army medic was awarded the Silver Star in 2005 for for valor during a firefight in Iraq. She fought her way through an enemy ambush south of Baghdad, killing three insurgents with her M-4 rifle to save fellow soldiers' lives -- and is the first woman since World War II to win the Silver Star medal for valor in combat. She now lives in Murfreesboro, serves in the Tennessee National Guard and is a police officer in Franklin.

10th Annual Wings of Freedom Fish Fry Huge Success!

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