Murfreesboro entrepreneur Ronnie Barrett celebrated his sixtieth birthday in Nashville Saturday night at the home of Joan and John Rich, known as Mt. Richmore.
His wife, Donna Barrett, put together a dinner, surprise roast, and night of entertainment at the famous country superstar's home high atop Love Circle in Music City.
Longtime friend and Chief Deputy Virgil Gammon with the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office, started the roast and before his portion ended, Ronnie Barrett was made an honorary deputy and presented his original badge that he wore when he was an actual deputy in the 60's and 70's. (Left) Virgil holds up the ID while Ronnie (right) smiles and accepts the honor.
Barrett was a deputy in the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office and also possessed a love for photography. The combination of weapons and photographic lenses lead to Barrett inventing the now world famous 50 caliber sniper rifle that is used by U.S. military and pro-American forces around the world. He made prototypes in his garage, and in fact filled the first hundred or so orders from that location.
Amazingly, Ronnie's old "duty belt" still fit perfectly after forty years. The biggest tribute came from his adult daughter Angela and son Chris, who both thanked their Dad for bringing them up properly with a respect for man and love of God.
Barrett was a deputy in the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office and also possessed a love for photography. The combination of weapons and photographic lenses lead to Barrett inventing the now world famous 50 caliber sniper rifle that is used by U.S. military and pro-American forces around the world. He made prototypes in his garage, and in fact filled the first hundred or so orders from that location.
This Murfreesboro native is now considered, according to John Rich, "The rock superstar in the world of weapons."
Rich noted, "This man has changed the face of war. His creative genius coupled with determination has saved the lives of so many American military who protect our freedom."
"Ronnie made a 10 pound weapon, that can be carried by one man, operated by one man and that one man has a confirmed long distance accuracy of 1.5-miles," John Rich then broke out in a flag waving all American song.
Other dignitaries wishing Ronnie Barrett a happy birthday included Mike Huckabee, Senator Lamar Alexander, U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn and numerous others.
The Mt. Richmore home had a large eating and stage area that accommodated the couple of hundred well wishers, many of whom rode from Murfreesboro to Nashville in private buses. This was a flag waving evening, and at one point all guests who were either serving or had served in the military were honored on stage with a musical tribute. (L-R on knees) Kelly Lang, Ronnie Barrett, T.G. Sheppard, and John Rich.
