Saturday, December 05, 2009

Those of us who have had the privilege of knowing or even just meeting Don Caldwell would walk away knowing he was full of passion and everlasting strength. He has impacted the lives of many residents in Putman County and beyond.

Mr. Caldwell passed away at his home surrounded by his family and friends.

Don was known by all who knew him for his strong faith in the Heavenly Father, which he valued as the most important part of his life. He was an active member of Trinity Assembly in Algood, and of the Sanctuary Church of God in DeLand, Florida. For me, his strong faith shone through as he battled life’s struggles, especially cancer. I remember him as an optimistic person, and he never wanted to make the conversation negative. I look to him as one of the leading individuals that I have crossed paths with for his great faith in Christ and for his strong character.

He will also be remembered for his solid family life. He deeply loved his wife, Glenda, and his children. He even loved his stepchildren just as his own, which is something that is not common this day in age. His example is a great one for husbands and fathers everywhere, and the family life of the Caldwells is one that families all over this great country should emulate.

Don had dedicated most of his life to his country through his many years of military service, and he was greatly honored and humbled to sacrifice much of his life to defend the freedoms and values we all enjoy. He served with pride as a Senior Chief in the U.S. Navy; he received Decorated Medals, Badges, Campaign Ribbons, Citation Awards and highly prestigious authorized awards.

Some his proud accomplishments were:

Many Navy Achievement Metals

Six Navy Good Conduct Awards

Two National Defense Service Medals

Five Over Seas Service Ribbons

Four 38 Caliber Sharp Shooter Ribbons/Battle “E” Ribbons

Meritorious Unit honors

Two Meritorious Commendation Units

Three Navy Unit Commendations

Four Vietnam Service Medals/Vietnam Campaign Medal

Two Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit honors

Commendations/Surface Warfare honors

Qualified/Sea Service Ribbons

Because of his dedicated service, he was honored at his funeral service with military honors.

Don served as Chairman with the Putnam County Republican Party starting in February 2009 until the time of his death. Don impacted the lives of the Executive Committee here and many of the members of the Putnam County Republican Party. He was an efficient leader of the party, and tried hard to remain so even when illness tried to stand in his way from doing so. He was a powerful mentor for me as an up-and-coming young conservative leader. I am humbled and honored by his unwavering faith in my work in the conservative movement. He was always confident that God has big plans for me in this work, and I find Don’s confidence in me very encouraging. Don is a man that I try to emulate, and I find that some of my character and work in this culture war has been inspired by him.

Don was extremely honored to have become friends with Major General Dave Evans, one of our candidates for the U.S. Congressional seat in the Sixth District; and Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey and Congressman Zach Wamp, both candidates for governor.

He felt his greatest accomplishment was the Presidential Day dinner this past May in Cookeville where he was able to coordinate a very successful event bringing together all four of the gubernatorial candidates along with Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Major General Dave Evans.

Don fully enjoyed his service with the Putnam County Republican Party and it is his wishes and desires that the Putnam County Republican Party continue to do the work that he had started. May God bless the family of Don Caldwell. May He also bless Don’s legacy. Don will always hold a special place in all our hearts.