Duty called and MTSU's retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith M. Huber and the university's veterans center responded when asked to help a retired U.S. Air Force World War II hero celebrate his 100th birthday recently.
Huber, senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives at MTSU, delivered a five-minute videotaped message and helped honor Jacob R. McClenny, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel with a special gift from the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center Daniels Center on the veteran's special day.
The Century Club of Rutherford County, which was initiated by Family Staffing Solutions Inc., has helped honor local residents who are 100 or older since 2012. Wanda Harrison, McClenny's daughter, reached out to the Century Club, which planned a party for Saturday, Oct. 3, three days before his actual birth date, at Embassy Suites Murfreesboro.
Kathy Bennett, Century Club liaison, said McClenny would become a club member with more decorations and awards than any of its 75 other members have received to date. In 22 years of service, McClenny, a pilot, flew 23 missions across Germany in his B-17, nicknamed "Little Chapel," and never lost a single man.
The in-person event was limited to about 30 family and invited guests wearing masks and adhering to social distancing, use of hand sanitizer and other health protocols because of COVID-19, Bennett said. During the catered meal, while others ate at tables to remain socially distanced, McClenny ate alone. He remains quarantined for 14 days at his residence as a precaution.
Huber and Hilary Miller, Daniels Center director, awarded a beautifully framed Award of Recognition from the center to McClenny "for his faithful and selfless service to our nation, for his defense of our democracy and his protection of freedom."
McClenny also was presented a Quilt of Valor, to honor and comfort those touched by war, and made by Jill Shaver of Murfreesboro.
"I immediately felt an affinity for Lt. Col. McClenny because I had met him before at a previous veterans event and I personally witnessed his strength of character and his servant humility," Huber said.
"He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as did my father, both as pilots in combat in World War II, my daddy (William E. Huber) in P-38s and he in B-17s," said Huber, who served nearly four decades in the military. "I retain a profound respect for those who willingly participated in our world wars, to defend democracy and to protect our freedoms. Their service inspired me and challenged me to serve our nation in their honorable fashion."
The birthday celebration began with a virtual presentation by Huber.
"Both soldiers remembered each other from previous events. It was a very touching moment," Bennett said.
McClenny also received centenarian awards and certificates from Tennessee Gov. b, Rutherford County and Murfreesboro mayors Bill Ketron and Shane McFarland and a "Challenge Coin" from Peter Warner with the Stones River chapter of Military Officers Association of America.
The Daniels Center, the largest and most comprehensive veterans center on any Tennessee higher education campus, is home to more than 1,000 veterans and their family members.
It allows military-connected personnel to have a one-stop-shop to meet a variety of academic and veterans' needs. It is located in Keathley University Center Rooms 124 (main suite) and 316 — a place where military-connected students can study, gather and receive help from fellow veterans, who serve as peer advisers and sponsors.
The center is named after Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels, who died in early June, and his wife, Hazel Daniels.
