Union City, Tenn. — Discovery Park of America, a 100,000-square-foot museum and 50-acre heritage park in Union City, Tenn. has launched a weekly podcast that can be downloaded from iTunes, Soundcloud and on the organization’s website.

Just like the museum where it is produced, the mission of the podcast is to celebrate the region while inspiring listeners to see beyond wherever they currently are in their lives. Hosted by DPA president Scott Williams, the podcast features notable guests who are West Tennessee influencers from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, tourism and more.

“Topics are chosen and the tone of the show is designed to ignite interest in the things we discuss and to inspire listeners to want to discover more,” said Williams. “West Tennessee is full of fascinating, creative people who are making some incredible things happen both around the world and right here at home, so we want to contribute to making their stories known.”

Following each interview, Andrew Gibson, assistant director of education at DPA, will take listeners behind-the-scenes to discover something new at the museum and park.

The first episode of the show debuted Monday and features an interview with Kelley Powers, co-founder of Final Flight Outfitters Inc., who parlayed an early successful career as a professional goose caller into a popular retail and mail-order catalog business in Union City. The recently-expanded store, founded with his brothers, Jon Ed and Tripp, has grown from a storage trailer in 1998 to a 25,000-square-foot showroom that contains a large selection of outdoor gear and hunting supplies.

On the inaugural episode, Williams and Powers discuss how, in spite of phenomenal growth, the brothers and their close-knit staff maintain their goal of growing a relationship with each customer while continuing their dedication to the highest level of service. Powers also explains the importance of the Reelfoot Lake region to their business and the role of philanthropy in his life and career.

New episodes of “Reelfoot Forward: A West Tennessee Podcast” will be released each week.

The next episodes feature: Lee Wilson, co-founder of Jackson Escape Rooms and 2017 winner of CBS’s reality show “Hunted;” Union City fashion entrepreneur Paige Burcham Dennis; Memphian Jireh Breon Holder, a playwright, director and writer on NBC’s hit show, “New Amsterdam;” and Danny Walden from the Dyer County Historical Society sharing the origin, location and details of the lost town of Menglewood, Tenn. that is referenced in “New Minglewood Blues” performed by the Grateful Dead.

“Reelfoot Forward: A West Tennessee Podcast” can be downloaded from iTunes, Soundcloud and on the organization’s website.

UNION CITY, TENN. — Charlotte Lannom Shaw was 23 years old when she received word that her 27-year-old husband Lieutenant Richard “Tito” Lannom had been declared Missing in Action. That was 51 years ago. On March 2 she will finally have the opportunity to lay to rest a man she knew as a paradox in many ways – athletic and humble, quiet yet a friend to all, wise beyond his too few years.

The day begins at 10 a.m. at Discovery Park of America in Union City and will include visitation, funeral and graveside services and full military honors. As part of the visitation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the museum will unveil the newly updated Vietnam War Memorial in partnership with White Ranson & White Mahon Funeral Homes and Magnolia Place Assisted Living, reflecting Lannom’s change in status from MIA to KIA in the Military Garden of the cultural heritage park at 11 a.m. The funeral service begins at 1 p.m. and a processional will lead the way to the graveside at Eastview Cemetery (south on Everett Blvd. from DPA to Reelfoot Ave. then east on Reelfoot to Miles Ave. and North on Miles).

Charlotte remembers “Tito” as an “encourager to all” and the “bravest man I ever knew.”

“He had wisdom beyond his college age,” she explained. “His parents passed away while he was in high school and college and he didn’t talk about that very much. I wish I had asked more questions, but when you are young and living for the future, you don’t ask all those things.”

The son of Edward H. and Evelyn Bragg Lannom of Union City, “Tito” took his nickname from his father. He was one of three boys. Charlotte, who met Tito when she was a sophomore and he was a senior business major at the University of Tennessee at Martin, knows that he had a great love for his family – aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins – and is pleased that nephew John Lannom of Dyersburg helped with the service and nephew Ted Lannom of Chattanooga will be among those sharing eulogies.

Marrying on his first day of leave from Officer Candidate School in Pensacola in 1965, the couple eventually made their way to training bases in Texas, California, Washington and Virginia. At each locale, Charlotte saw his kindness attract people.

“We would go to a new squadron and in a short time everybody would be drawn to him,” she said. “He wasn’t a hotshot-airman at all. He was just a committed American who loved his country and accepted the call, knowing he would stay the course.”

From his days on the basketball court and football field at Union City High School, to his years as a member of Phi Sigma Kappa at the University of Tennessee at Martin, to the time spent playing recreational golf, his love of sports and love of life was evident and shared with his many friends.

Mike Phebus, a fraternity brother, and Lt. Colonel John Cox who wore out numerous MIA bracelets awaiting his high school and college friend’s return, will both share their remembrances as part of the service.

A woman of great faith, Charlotte has asked her former pastor Dr. Danny Sinquefield of Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tenn. to provide the concluding message on March 2. Her current pastor Mark Ragsdale of Church at Viera in Viera, Fla. will also play a role in the service. Ragsdale’s participation is the culmination of a lifelong yet unknown connection between him and Lannom. Originally from Union City, as a child, Ragsdale was aware that a “native son” was MIA and wore the MIA bracelets as a prayer reminder. When he discovered that one of his church members shared a connection to west Tennessee, his questions back to his father Dr. Howard Ragsdale revealed that their family home was built by the construction company owned by Lannom’s family.

“He had a love for that small town of Union City and the America he was proud of and that he had grown up pledging allegiance to, and that’s who he fought for.”

While in Memphis working as a reading specialist in Memphis City Schools and eventually retiring from Presbyterian Day School, Charlotte met Jackie Shaw. Eventually, they blended their families and in their 40 years of marriage have seen all five children and grandchildren embrace Tito and his story.

“That’s a God thing,” she said, noting that one son has helped with the video that will be shown during the March service. Two stepdaughters are assisting with the design of the program, a son-in-law will serve as photographer and granddaughter Alexa Brownlee will sing the national anthem.

Though she now lives in Melbourne, Fla., to be near her grandchildren, it was from Memphis that she enlisted the help of thousands across the mid-South to advocate for Lannom after she learned of his MIA status. As one of her advocacy efforts, in 1971, she and the wife of a Prisoner of War carried a half million letters to the gates of the North Vietnamese Embassy in Paris, France to demand an accounting of MIAs and better treatment for prisoners.

“My goal was to find out if Tito was a prisoner or not,” she recalled. “The POW wife was invited in for a meeting, but they would not allow me to enter. That’s when I knew they didn’t have any bargaining power with me.”

Though his death wasn’t verified, she said, she realized that after they shared propaganda that they hoped the POW wife would relay (she did not), if they had captured her husband, they would have wanted to ask the same of her.

Her efforts were more than just a need to know her husband’s status. They were also a means to address the negativity in the U.S. surrounding the war and often being projected onto returning veterans.

“That was such a hard thing. That’s why we were working so hard with the families of POWs and MIAs to keep the morale of the country focused on our servicemen and not the politics of the war,” she said. “Tito wasn’t interested in the politics. He had a commitment. He had a love for that small town of Union City and the America he was proud of and that he had grown up pledging allegiance to, and that’s who he fought for.”

The family invites all who want to share in the day of remembrance to participate in the visitation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Discovery Park of America at 830 Everett Boulevard in Union City on Saturday, March 2. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Discovery Park and Union City officials are also preparing to accommodate individuals who would like to honor Lt. Lannom and the family along the route of the processional.

ABOUT DISCOVERY PARK OF AMERICA
The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 50-acre attraction located in Union City, Tennessee, is to enhance the educational experience of children and adults and to inspire them to learn more about the region’s unique cultural heritage and natural history. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring 9 interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com and DPA’s pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

UNION CITY, TENN — Governor Bill Lee has declared March 2 a day of mourning for Lieutenant Richard C. “Tito” Lannom, Missing in Action since March 1, 1968. As state flags fly at half-staff across Tennessee, family and friends who waited 51 years and a day will finally lay to rest the hometown high school athlete, University of Tennessee at Martin graduate, Naval commander, friend, uncle, cousin and husband who they now know was Killed in Action in Vietnam when he was only 27-years-old.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Discovery Park of America (DPA) at 830 Everett Boulevard in Union City, Tenn. on Sat., March 2, with funeral services beginning at 1 p.m. Immediately following the service, a processional including city, county and state law enforcement; military support organizations such as Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard and the American Legion Riders; dignitaries, friends and family will travel from DPA to the East View Cemetery, (S. Miles Avenue and E. Church Street) for a graveside ceremony with full military honors.

“Union City is the only home Tito ever really knew,” said his widow Charlotte Shaw who has planned the day’s events with family members including nephew John Lannom of Dyersburg. She noted that when Lannom graduated from UTM, they married and went to various Naval bases for training after which he was deployed to Vietnam. The couple, he from Union City and she from Memphis, never had the opportunity to put down permanent roots.

“He loved being from a small town. I wanted him to return to the home he loved,” she said.

Shaw, eventually remarried, after spending the first years post notification of Lannom’s MIA status as an advocate for his return including helping to spearhead a letter writing campaign of nearly a half-a-million letters and personally delivering them to the North Vietnam embassy in Paris. Jackie, her husband of 40 years, and their blended family of five children and ten grandchildren have always felt “Tito” was a part of their lives and many are taking roles in the service.

As a part of the day’s activities, Discovery Park has worked with White Ranson & White Mahon Funeral Homes and Magnolia Place Assisted Living, donors of the Vietnam War Memorial stationed in the park’s Military Garden, to update the monument that lists Lannom as Obion County’s only MIA in a manner similar to updates on the nation’s Vietnam War Memorial in D.C. A brief service unveiling the change is planned for 11 a.m. during the visitation period.

“We are honored to be a small part of what should be a grand day paying tribute to both Lt. Lannom and to the family and friends who have finally found resolution after decades of living with the unknown,” said Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams. “We hope West Tennessee will turn out in force to memorialize their neighbor. We stand ready to receive what we anticipate will be an overflow crowd of those who knew Lt. Lannom and those who simply want to convey their respect and gratitude to a fallen soldier and his family.”

Also included in the service will be photos and artifacts acknowledging the military career of the Obion County native who was assigned to Attack Squadron Three Five, USS Enterprise when his A-6A aircraft went missing during a night mission over North Vietnam. Lannom and the pilot were declared missing after a search and rescue mission failed to locate the plane.

“Lt. Lannom’s final resting place will finally be home, on Tennessee soil, where he belongs…”

A Vietnamese Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) team excavated a crash site in late 2017. Lannom was identified on Sept. 25, 2018 through the use of DNA as well as evidence found at the site.

“Lt. Lannom’s final resting place will finally be home, on Tennessee soil, where he belongs,” Gov. Lee said in a press release issued by Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. “We are grateful to join the Lannom family in pausing to remember and recognize Lt. Lannom’s sacrifice for our state and country.”

Veterans Services Commissioner Courtney Rogers will be in attendance at the funeral and will present official tribute items on behalf of the state and the governor including a house joint resolution sponsored by area state Representative Andy Holt and Senator John Stevens and presented to the Tennessee General Assembly to honor and memorialize Lannom and his family for his service and dedication.

Reflecting on his efforts to assist with tributes to be shared with Lannom and his family, Rep. Holt said, “The opportunity to see Lt. Lannom laid to rest in his native land is not only a satisfying accomplishment, but it is an event that brings decades of uncertainty, heartbrokenness, and the resting of his earthly remains to a point of final closure.”

“More than five decades of waiting is finally over, and we are finally able to lay this Tennessee hero to rest with full honors…”

He called Lannom an American hero and added that his sacrifice, and the sacrifice of countless other servicemen, should never be forgotten. Observing the collective effort that is being devoted to ensuring a service worthy of the fallen soldier, he concluded, “I feel quite confident that Lt. Lannom will not suffer the second death of being forgotten.”

Commissioner Rogers also referenced Lannom’s heroism and offered encouragement for communitywide involvement in her remarks.

“More than five decades of waiting is finally over, and we are finally able to lay this Tennessee hero to rest with full honors,” Rogers said. “There is no way we can repay the debt of Lt. Lannom’s sacrifice, but we can give our commitment to remember his courage and to honor his family with our condolences and support. “

ABOUT DISCOVERY PARK OF AMERICA
The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 50-acre attraction located in Union City, Tennessee, is to enhance the educational experience of children and adults and to inspire them to learn more about the region’s unique cultural heritage and natural history. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring nine interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com and DPA’s pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Aug. 24, 2018

UNION CITY, Tenn. — The board of directors of Discovery Park of America announced today the selection of Scott Williams as the organization’s new president and CEO. Williams will replace retiring president and CEO, James Rippy, who has been instrumental in the development and management of the organization since its inception. Rippy will continue in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

A West Tennessee native, Williams is currently the president and chief operating officer of the Newseum in Washington, D.C. He earned his degree in journalism from the University of Memphis and held leadership positions at several advertising agencies and other Memphis companies including Cleo, Inc., ServiceMaster, Baptist Memorial Health Care and Elvis Presley’s Graceland.

“Scott brings a significant track record of success in the entertainment, museum, attraction and tourism businesses,” said board member Chris Kirkland who led the search committee. “I’m confident that his background and experience as a trusted leader and his unique set of skills in strategic planning, operations, development and education will be extremely valuable as DPA begins the next chapter.”

Last year, under Williams’ leadership, the Newseum welcomed a record-breaking 850,000 visitors to its 250,000-square-foot museum of news and the First Amendment on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the United States Capitol. Additionally, the Newseum has been named a Top 25 Trending U.S. Attraction and a Top 25 Museum among museums in the world by TripAdvisor.

“Because of my work with museums and attractions and my love of West Tennessee history, I’ve been following Discovery Park of America since the groundbreaking,” said Williams. “Robert Kirkland’s vision combined with the dedicated work by the community in Union City has created a transformative experience like nothing else in the world. I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the team there, and I look forward to contributing to this impressive organization.”

In addition to his work at the Newseum, Williams serves as vice chair on the board of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. and recently held the position of president of the board of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the American Advertising Federation. A published author, Williams is currently working on his third book, “Forgotten Stories from the History of West Tennessee.” Additionally, Williams produces a blog on West Tennessee history and culture at HaywoodCountyLine.com.
Williams and his wife, Michelle, who is an elementary school art teacher, have two daughters, Alex, a junior at the University of Memphis and Olivia, a freshman at James Madison University.

About Discovery Park of America
The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and attraction located in Union City, Tennessee, is to enhance the educational experience of children and adults and to inspire them to see beyond their current level of knowledge. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring 10 interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Fog horns roared, confetti flew through the air, and docents danced to the music of “Celebrate” as Discovery Park of America heralded its one-millionth visitor on Saturday, Dec. 16th!

UNION CITY, TN – 15-month-old Woods Rogers was the one millionth guest of Discovery Park of America, as CEO Jim Rippy had his clicker out to determine when the one-millionth visitor walked through the door on at 11:12 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017! Rippy said that he has been counting people and adding numbers everyday as the park edged closer to this amazing milestone. Woods is the son of Bo and Ivy Rogers from Dyersburg. He was visiting today with his mother and his grandparents, Darlene and Chad Fultz of Obion, Tennessee.

“For a small town with a population of just over 10,000, located in rural northwest Tennessee and not near any major metropolitan area, to have an attraction that has garnered a million guests in just over four years is remarkable,” Union City Mayor Terry Hailey said. “We are excited to congratulate Discovery Park on this monumental occasion!”

The mayor was not the only one excited! The Rogers family was in for a bigger treat than just the celebration!

“We wanted to make this extra special,” Rippy explained. “So we presented this lucky family with a prize package valued at almost $4,000!” Included in the special prize were three lifetime memberships to Discovery Park of America, two night’s lodging at Reelfoot Lake’s popular Bluebank Resort, dinner for two from Sassafraz Restaurant in Union City, $200 in cash to spend while staying at Reelfoot, a bottle of wine from White Squirrel Winery in Kenton, a box of fudge from the Cafe at Discovery Park and tee-shirts from the Discovery Park Gift Shop. Additionally, there was a giant cake available for the park’s guests to enjoy after the event. A lifetime membership to the park costs $1,000 for an individual.

“We are so pleased to have reached this milestone,” Rippy said. “But, we aren’t satisfied! We will continue to add new learning opportunities, new events, and new classes and look forward to seeing our two-millionth visitor in just a few more years!”

About Discovery Park of America

Discovery Park of America opened its doors on November 1, 2013. Averaging close to 250,000 visitors a year, the park is a combination of history and science, in an interactive, hands-on learning environment. Consistently scoring 5 stars on Trip Advisor, the park has seen visitors from every state, while occasionally enjoying international visitors as well.

Jenny and Robert Kirkland founded Discovery Park of America in their hometown of Union City after considering alternative locations. According to Rippy, at the end of the day, the Kirklands wanted to give back to their hometown. Mr. Kirkland was known to have said that he wanted children and adults around here to get to experience things that they might not otherwise get to
experience. Discovery Park’s mission is education and its goal is to help people see beyond their current level of knowledge.

Discovery Center is the flagship of the organization, with over 70,000 square feet of exhibit space including nine distinct galleries. The galleries are Natural History, Regional History, Enlightenment, Transportation, Military, Simmon’s Bank’s Children’s Exploration, Science, Space & Technology, Energy and Native American. Discovery Center sits on a 50-acre park that boasts a log cabin settlement, agricultural barn area, Mill Ridge, Japanese Garden, European Garden, 1800s Chapel, full sized antique train display, Freedom Square, American Garden and a very aesthetic covered bridge. Guests can meander along the path knowing that inside every building there’s a unique display, something to learn or something to do. Additionally, the park has become one of this region’s most desirable event venues and hosts over 50 fun and educational events itself each year, including fun dinners like Cocktails and Comedy to complete weekends of learning with re-enactors during Civil War Days.

Discovery Park of America is located at 830 Everett Blvd. in Union City, TN. You can learn more about the complete 2018 Calendar of Events, including upcoming educational and entertaining events, and visit the park’s website at discoveryparkofamerica.com. The park is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and is a unique blend of history, science, architecture, art and fun.