The Hamilton County High School AFJROTC performing a drill routine.

JASPER — Bob Holdredge told the crowd at Hamilton County’s Veterans Day program Friday at the Veterans Memorial Park that his family was twice saved by Abraham Lincoln.

Holdredge, a retired Navy Commander who served as the guest speaker for the program, said the first time his wife and daughter were saved by Lincoln came in Washington D.C. where they were exploring the city. They saw the Japanese Cherry Blossoms blooming and wanted to get pictures.

He told them to get out of the car and to take pictures since traffic was not moving. As soon as they exited the car, the traffic started to move and he lost sight of them.

His wife had left her ID and money in the car and it started to rain. He later found them huddled in a guard’s station right outside of the Lincoln Memorial.

The second time came in the Philippines when Mt. Pinatubo erupted and everyone was evacuated off the island in five days. His wife and daughter were on the last ship leaving — the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.

Holdredge served more than 28 years in the Navy where he started as a seaman and then received a commission as a Line Officer. Later on he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer and then served as the Operations Security Officer for the Commander in Chief and the U.S. Naval Forces Europe. He then retired as a Commander in the Navy Medical Service Corps.

After the life-saving stories, he addressed the audience about his time in other countries.

He stated how he makes it his mission to contact every person who enlists families to talk to them. He also said they are working to evacuate Puerto Rico because there is still 65 percent of Puerto Rico without power and 2,500 people still in shelters.

Pastor Helen Kiser gave the invocation at the ceremony, Rev. Danny Henderson gave the closing prayer and Rev. Roger Hutto led a moment of silence then had taps played.

There was local talent from the Hamilton County High School Air Force JROTC, band and choir. The AFJROTC presented the colors and showcased the Drill Team. The band played the prelude and “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the choir sang “God Bless America,” Miss HCHS sang the national anthem and Amber Abbott sang “God Bless the USA.”

Bo Beauchemin, the County Veteran Service Officer, introduced the program and Holdredge.