Museum of Appalachia honors General Carl Stiner, Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr.

NORRIS, TN — In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Museum of Appalachia presented its first-ever “Heroes of Southern Appalachia” awards to General Carl Stiner and the late Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. The fireside reception hall overflowed with attendees eager to pay tribute to these two “heroes” who dedicated their lives to service.

Deborah York, great-granddaughter of World War I hero Sgt. Alvin C. York and Executive Director of the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, explained the impact General Stiner has had on all branches of our nation’s special forces, while United States Senator Lamar Alexander reflected on the life and legacy of Senator Baker.

“We thought honoring those who truly embody the spirit of the Appalachian people and have fearlessly and selflessly served this region would be a wonderful way to commemorate this milestone anniversary,” said Museum of Appalachia President Elaine Irwin Meyer.

The criteria for choosing recipients included honoring a person(s) from the Southern Appalachian region, who exemplifies the characteristics of perseverance, fortitude, self-reliance, and service.

United States Army Four-Star General Carl Stiner, from LaFollette, Tennessee, has had a lasting impact on all branches of U.S. military special forces. His 35-year career includes involvement in capturing the Achille Lauro terrorists, apprehending Panamanian Dictator Manuel Noriega, and all special operations during Desert Storm, and he was the second Commander in Chief of the United States Special Operations.

“General Stiner transformed special operations in our country by tearing down walls of inefficiency and building collaboration and cooperation that had never existed before,” said Deborah York. “He is a hometown hero who has had an enduring influence on our American military as well as our nation’s security. He is as good a man as he was a soldier and has a heart for his community and his home state. We owe a debt of gratitude for General Stiner’s years of service and sacrifice to our great nation, and I am honored to present him with this award.”

Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. grew up in Huntsville, Tennessee, or as he called it, “the center of the known universe.” The first popularly elected Republican senator in Tennessee history, he earned the nickname “The Great Conciliator” in his roles as Senate minority and majority leader, because of his reputation as a fair and thoughtful leader. His extensive public service, which also included roles as President Reagan’s chief of staff and U.S. Ambassador to Japan, earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“How fortunate we were to know, to be inspired by, and to learn from Tennessee’s favorite son and one of our country’s finest leaders, Howard Baker. The nation got to know him during the Watergate hearings. He then became the majority leader of the United States Senate, chief of staff for President Reagan and President George W. Bush’s Ambassador to Japan. He began an era of two-party competition that has changed Tennessee politics permanently. By his eloquence and personality, Howard inspired a number of young men and women, including me, to join him in that endeavor,” Alexander said. “Howard made us Tennesseans look even better, and I cannot think of a more deserving person to receive the Museum’s first-ever Heroes of Southern Appalachia Award.”

As a non-profit, Smithsonian affiliated organization, the Museum’s mission is to preserve the artifacts and culture of an earlier time for the benefit of future generations; and to instill in the community – regionally, nationally, and internationally- a greater knowledge of and appreciation for Southern Appalachian heritage. The Museum is located 16 miles north of Knoxville at I-75, exit, 122.

Published November 22, 2019