A day of remembrance

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Major Thomas A. Payne, who retired from the United States Air Force after a 24-year career as both an enlisted airman and an officer, was the guest speaker at the 2024 Memorial Day observance at the Highland County Veterans Memorial. 

VFW Post 9094 Commander Rick Wilkin was the emcee of the Hillsboro services and introduced Payne following an opening prayer by Vietnam veteran Chuck Emery of the Roy W. Wilson American Legion Post 694 in Mowrystown.

Major Payne was the Senior Intelligence Officer for the 711th Human Performance Wing. The 711th Human Performance Wing leads the development, integration and delivery of Airman-centric research, education and consultation, enabling the Air Force to achieve responsive and effective global vigilance, global reach and global power now and in the future. 

Additionally, Payne was the Chief of Acquisition Intelligence for the Warfighter Interactions and Readiness Division at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), providing scientists and engineers the intelligence they need for researching, developing and acquiring new programs and technology for the Air Force and Space Force.

Payne entered the Air Force in 1999. After 10 years as an F-16 Avionics Technician, he commissioned as an Intelligence Officer in 2009. He has served as an Intelligence Adviser for the Afghan National Army’s Intelligence Training School in Kabul, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Additionally, he was a collection manager, forward deployed to Baghdad, Iraq and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. He also served as an instructor at the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

Payne’s recognitions include a Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Joint Service Commendation Medal; AF Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster; AF Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal; Air Force Force Expeditionary Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; and a NATO Medal.

Payne provided a history of the Air Force and talked about his duties during a career that began in 1999 and ended last year. He also stressed the importance of remembering not only the fallen service members on Memorial Day, but also their families.

"Remember the families of our fallen veterans," Payne said. "They maintain the family and household while their loved ones are serving. Always remember the sacrifices of service members and their families."

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During his opening remarks, Wilkin read a brief history of Memorial Day (originally Decoration Day), beginning from the end of the Civil War and continuing through 1966, when Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y. as the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. 

In addition to Payne, Wilkin also introduced several other speakers, including Highland County Commission President David Daniels; Cailin Hoskins of the Highland County Veterans Service Commission; Steph Roland of the VFW Post 9094 Auxiliary; and Lee Harris, commander of the DAV Lloyd Ludwick Chapter 123.
    
In addition, Wilkin thanked Hillsboro High School band director Kevin Grow, sound technician Brian Vance, vocalist Dianna Coffey and flutist Jennie Harner, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Tipton for their work on the Veterans Memorial at Liberty Park, Jevin Watson for setting up bleachers, and all the veterans and citizens in attendance. 
    
Coffey and Harner performed musical selections throughout the program. They also led those in attendance in the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America."
    
The Hillsboro High School marching band, along with Coffey and Harner, performed each branch of service's song, inviting veterans from each respective branch to stand and be recognized:
    
• U.S. Coast Guard, "Semper Paratus;"
• U.S. Space Force, "Semper Supra;"
• U.S. Air Force, "The Air Force Song;"
• U.S. Navy, "Anchors Aweigh;"
• U.S. Marine Corps, "The Marine Corps Hymn;" and
• U.S. Army, "The Army Goes Rolling Along."

At the end of the ceremony, the Highland County Honor Guard provided the three-volley salute, along with the playing of "Taps" by Hillsboro High School band members.
    
Wilkin thanked those in attendance for observing the Memorial Day services, as well as thanking all of the veterans in attendance and all those participating in the ceremony.

Below are members of the Highland County Veterans Honor Guard.