July 2023 Press Release
Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, Casey Jones Village Hosts Inaugural Flag Retirement Celebration
Jackson, Tennessee — (July 6, 2023) — More than 300 flags were honorably retired during Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store Flag Retirement Celebration Saturday, June 24, 2023. Approximately 100 guests attended the ceremony held at The Providence House in the Casey Jones Village.
The ceremony, “Retiring Old Glory,” will air beginning Monday, July 3 through Sunday, July 9, 2023, on West TN PBS on WLJT channel 11.1 and channel 11.3 on demand and streaming on The PBS app and westtnpbs.org.
Several speakers took part in the event, including State Rep. Chris Todd, State Senator Ed Jackson and S1C Jack Claiborne, of Dyersburg, Tennessee. Claiborne was a gunner on a U.S. Navy ship on D-Day when soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, June 6, 1944. A Dyersburg native, he lives at Tennessee State Veterans’ Home in Humboldt and is featured in “Forever Young” — Stories of Sacrifice, Healing & Hope, a collection of short stories from veterans written by Diane Hight, of Collierville, Tennessee. He will turn 99 in September. Jackson shared the story of his own father, Ed Jackson Sr., who fought in World War II in the Battle of Iwo Jima in Japan.
“We’re honored to recognize our veterans and promote the patriotism that has long been a part of Old Country Store’s history,” Old Country Store General Manager Brooks Shaw said. “Celebrating Flag Day is an honored tradition, and we want to educate the next generation and encourage them to continue this tradition.”
During the community gathering, veterans, Scouts and organizers assisted in ensuring that official flag retirement protocol was followed. After the ceremonial burning, the ashes were buried near The Providence House. Additional individuals and organizations participated in the day including Steve Bowers, Capt. Jack Holland, Jarrod and Carter Beachum, Annie Zhao and J.P. Stovall. Dan Brooks, of the West Tennessee Area Council Boy Scouts, served as a host for the event as well.
Open daily year-round (except for Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day), Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store includes the restaurant, Miss Anne’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Miss Juanita’s Gift Shop and the Dixie Café Takeout or Dine-In at 56 Casey Jones Lane in Jackson, Tennessee. Individuals may learn more by visiting instagram.com/caseyjonesvillage, facebook.com/oldcountrystore and caseyjones.com or calling 731-668-1223.
About The Providence House
Built in 1837, The Providence House was relocated from Trenton, Tennessee, and extensively renovated within the Casey Jones Village. The venue can host a luncheon or dinner party for up to 25 people, with a large outside deck that can host a party of 150 or more.
About Flag Day
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14, and in 1949 President Harry Truman signed national Flag Day into law, with legislation that requires the president to issue a proclamation every year.
