East Tennessee veterans remember comrade, advocate Freddie Owens

“The definition of an American patriot, hero and selfless human being: Freddie J. Owens…Rest in peace Sir! Semper Fi”  USMC Richard Junod

On Memorial Day, we remember and honor every man and woman who died in battle, as well as veterans who have passed away.

East Tennessee veterans two months ago lost one of their most active advocates – Freddie Owens, a Vietnam combat veteran. WATE 6 On Your Side reporter Don Dare, himself a Vietnam veteran, talked with those who knew him best.  [read more=”Click here to Read More” less=”Read Less“] 

Owens died of cancer on March 30. Thousands of veterans around East Tennessee were touched by him.

“Freddie was a giver. He was the person who said, not what is in it for me, but how may I serve, how may I give?” said former Vietnam combat medic Vern Vargo.

When WATE 6 On Your Side first met Owens in February 2012, he had successfully led a fight to keep veterans together who wanted group counseling at the VA clinic. Owens would later form and co-chair the Veterans Regional Mental Health Council.

“He spent six times in the VA hospital getting help. He dedicated the rest of his life to veterans returning from war or the service,” said Ed Junod with the council.

Owens said he didn’t know what he had, which turned out to be PTSD. He couldn’t handle what he had seen in war.

“Out of the 21 men in his platoon that he was charged to care for, only nine boarded the chopper,” said Vargo.

Then an Army sergeant, Owens had been part of the first large group battle in Vietnam. The battle of Ia Drang Valley is depicted in the movie “We Were Soldiers.” Freddie Owens would leave the Army years later, troubled.

“I didn’t like myself,” said Owens. “[I was] angry. Disenfranchised. Depressed.”

After years of nightmares, cold sweats and a failed marriage, his second wife said to get help. He did. Then, he never stopped assisting others.

“He helped me. He helped me go back to church again. I had some issues,” said Vietnam veteran Don Davis.

Owens organized a military friendly congregation at his church. Navy veteran Emily Hager says her friend took on a new cause recently. He encouraged her to form a network of women veterans to assist one another.

“He said women veteran’s were at the place where he was at 10 years prior,” said Hager.

So in his honor, women will be recognized at a special symposium in the fall. To Owens, the flag represented not only freedom, but hope for his generation of veterans and younger ones.

“My great friend and incredible mentor that helped me change my life and make our veterans community even stronger. Thank you Freddie,” said Vargo.

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