Farmer honored as Veteran of the Month

Farmer was born Oct. 6, 1949, in Memphis and grew up in Covington, graduating from Byars Hall High School in 1967. 

At the height of the Vietnam conflict in 1968, he voluntarily enlisted in the Tennessee Air National Guard 164th Military Airlift Command at Memphis International Airport. After pausing his military career in 1974 to focus on civilian work, Farmer joined the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 4th/117th Infantry Company in Covington in September 1980.

In 2002, he was mobilized to Fort Bragg, N.C., before an assignment at Fort Monroe, Va., in support of Operation Noble Eagle, a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) mission designed to protect U.S. and Canadian airspace following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Over the course of his career, Farmer completed extensive training, including the Tennessee Military Academy, the Army Reserve School, the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Fort Campbell, Ky., and the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Va. He retired on Sept. 30, 2005, from the 3/115th Battery “B” Field Artillery Battalion in Covington.

For his service, Farmer was awarded numerous medals and commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, seven Good Conduct Medals, Army National Guard Achievement Medal, three National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and several state-level Tennessee National Guard honors.

Several fellow veterans also shared their admiration, including retired officer Craig Donahue, who served alongside Farmer. 

“Some of the most important lessons I learned from Louis were out in the field and seeing how he worked the system, built those relationships, and made it work for his soldiers,” Donahue said. “Congratulations and thank you for what you’ve done for our country.”

In civilian life, Farmer worked for FedEx and the United States Postal Service. He also devoted time to his community through Brighton Baptist Church, where he has served on the cemetery committee and as treasurer of the men’s Sunday school class.

A dedicated family man, he married Gwen Blalock of Brighton in July 1970. They have one daughter, Josette Nelson, of Oxford, Miss. Farmer was nominated for the honor by Robin Wallace, the May 2021 Veteran of the Month.

“Phillip’s service to his country and his community shows what it means to live a life of dedication,” said organizers during the ceremony.