Veterans Day holds deep personal meaning for Captain Mickey McCamish (‘65), a proud alumnus of the University of Chattanooga and a dedicated Navy veteran of 27 years. From navigating destroyers across turbulent seas to organizing community-driven initiatives at home, McCamish has spent his life serving others. This year, his commitment continues with Wreaths Across Chattanooga, a heartfelt project aimed at honoring every fallen hero.
Mickey’s story began at the University of Chattanooga, where he juggled academic life while working part-time in the mailroom at Pioneer Bank, balancing his job with a full load of classes. “My days were packed. I’d attend classes from 8:00 a.m. to noon, work at the bank until 5:15 p.m., and then spend my evenings studying,” he shared.
Despite his demanding schedule, Mickey immersed himself in campus life. He joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity and served on the student council, developing close friendships, playing an active role in university governance and advocating for students. “It was a close-knit community,” he reminisced. “With a graduating class of only 225, you knew everyone, and those connections made the university experience so special.”
Starting as a newly commissioned officer in 1965, fresh out of Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, he quickly took on significant responsibilities. Assigned to multiple destroyers and one aircraft carrier, he served as a gunnery officer, overseeing shipboard artillery and ensuring operational readiness.
Micky McCamish (’65), second row, first on the left, pictured in the 1965 Student Council yearbook photo.
After retiring from the Navy in 1992, Mickey continued his mission of service, this time focusing on honoring fellow veterans. One of his most significant efforts is organizing the Chattanooga Armed Forces Day Parade—the longest-running of its kind in the nation. Mickey emphasized, “It’s not just a parade. It’s a tradition that brings our community together and reminds us of the sacrifices made for our freedoms.”
Wreaths Across Chattanooga began as an extension of a national tradition, Wreaths Across America, but quickly grew into a unique Chattanooga movement under Mickey’s leadership. “I noticed that some graves didn’t have wreaths, and it didn’t sit right with me,” he explained. Determined to change this, he rallied the community to ensure that every veteran in Chattanooga National Cemetery would be remembered.
His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. From partnering with local businesses like Food City to mobilizing volunteers, Mickey’s work has fostered a community spirit that continues to grow each year. One of his most touching memories was seeing the community come together during the wreath-laying events, with families pausing at each grave to honor the fallen. As Mickey expressed, “It’s not just about placing a wreath; it’s about remembering the sacrifices that allow us to be free.”
As Wreaths Across Chattanooga grows, Mickey’s vision is clear: no veteran should be forgotten. He hopes to see more volunteers and alumni participate in wreath-laying ceremonies. “It’s a small gesture that means the world,” Mickey said. To get involved, UTC alumni and community members can sponsor wreaths or lend a hand at the event.
In November, as we honor our veterans for Veterans Day, let’s reflect on the service of alumni like Mickey McCamish—dedicated to his alma mater, his country and his community—and join him in his mission to pay it forward, one wreath at a time.