Dr. Arlin Smith, who had two brothers affected by Agent Orange, thanking Ken Gamble for his community service. SUBMITTED 
RCRP meets first Saturday morning of every month at Purpose Life in Springfield. SUBMITTED 
Linda Kumar, Ken Gamble and Doc Kumar. SUBMITTED 
Susan Hunter, Author of 77 Letters addressing the local GOP breakfast. SUBMITTED 
Lee Marie Astier (center) with the two featured speakers: Ken Gamble and Susan Hunter. SUBMITTED 
Steve Allbrooks presenting Ken Gamble with a certificate of recognition from Congressman Mark Green. SUBMITTED 
Ed Cope enjoying pre-breakfast fellowship with RCRP Chairman Dr. Arlin Smith. SUBMITTED
The Robertson County Republican Party (RCRP) honored Vietnam Veteran Ken Gamble at their monthly breakfast at Purpose Life Church on May 6.
Gamble worked tirelessly, often as a one-man committee, to establish the Orange Heart Medal Foundation. He created the Orange Heart Medal which is awarded to the soldier or their surviving spouse at no charge, and to date the foundation has distributed over 10,000 medals. Gamble established a dignified monument at the entrance to the Springfield Memorial Gardens in Springfield. So far approximately 700 soldiers’ names are honored on this monument.
At the gathering Congressman Mark Green’s representative, Steve Allbrooks, presented Gamble with a certificate of special congressional recognition for his outstanding community service. Rep. Sabi “Doc” Kumar presented Gamble with proclamations from himself and Senator Kerry Roberts. Doc Kumar worked with Ken to make Tennessee the first state to recognize the Orange Heart Medal Foundation, and Doc and Linda Kumar presented Gamble with a framed photograph of that special day. RCRP Chairman Dr. Arlin Smith presented him a plaque from the party. Gamble’s friend and author of 77 Letters, Susan Hunter, was also in attendance and gave a brief introduction to her book which tells the story of her mother who wrote many letters to soldiers in Vietnam including 77 letters to three-time Purple Heart recipient, Bob Johnson. For more information on the Orange Heart Medal Foundation please visit www.orangeheartmedal.org
