Smokehouse 228 honors Tennessee Air National Guard unit

SEYMOUR, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Seymour restaurant has served up more than food the past four months. Smokehouse 228 honors veterans who served in the former 228th Combat Communications unit in the Tennessee Air National Guard.

David Hesson served 25 years in the 228th and said the comradery among the unit was like family.

"We did combat communications and traveled across the world, worked in Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom. Doing that kind of mission we are eating MRE's, surviving together... we don't have luxuries, we all depend on each other,"

Hesson said.

The 228th was dissolved a few years ago, but the members still keep in contact. Hesson said the unit inspired the name Smokehouse 228.

Hesson said he's always been cooking for the group during deployments or get togethers, but now he's offered up his pulled pork, briskets, ribs and much more to the Seymour area.

"It's kind of the same thing that I was doing, cooking a lot for the guys when they are out in the field over the years or unit functions, but really just cooking and watching peoples facing, enjoying what they are liking, I get a kick out of that more than anything,"

Hesson said.

The walls have pictures of his former unit, and one wall holds a framed picture of newspaper articles that cover his career in the 228th.

Hesson said all of his food is homemade from scratch, and many dishes are family recipes passed down several generations.

Smokehouse 228 is located at 10211 Chapman Hwy, Seymour, TN 37865, and is in a historic food spot along Chapman Highway.

Hesson's restaurant is in the same building as the Pixie Drive-In, and he plans to bring back the drive-in feel in the years to come.