Charlie Daniels family on new Mt. Juliet plaque, mural: 'It brings tears to my eyes:'

“Charlie Daniels saved my life,” Vietnam War veteran Dennis Buchanan said, one of many tributes to the late music icon on Wednesday in Mt. Juliet.

Daniels’ Wilson County legacy was immortalized with a bronze plaque unveiled on one of the buildings in a new commercial center named Charlie’s Place.

The building is located in the center of town. The shrine includes a plaque on the west side of North Mt. Juliet Road near the West and East Division street intersection, as well as a mural that highlights Daniels — completed in December by Michael Cooper.

“It brings tears to my eyes,” said Hazel Daniels, Charlie’s wife. "I love Mt. Juliet. It's been our home, our son has gone to school here. We bought our first piece of property 55 years ago. It was country and everybody accepted Charlie and we loved all the people. It's just been a nice place to call home."

Daniels died in July 2020 at age 83.

“Dad would be incredibly honored and deeply humbled,” Charlie Daniels Jr., said at the dedication. “He would just be completely overwhelmed.”

Daniels was known for his support of the military, including the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, a nonprofit that raises money for nonprofits that assist veterans.

Buchanan relayed his story about suffering with post traumatic stress and nightmares that lingered from his wartime experience. He remembers receiving a call from Daniels.

The two prayed. Daniels directed Buchanan to Operation Song, an organization that pairs military service members with professional songwriters. Together, they create songs that are personal to veterans' experiences.

“If he hadn’t asked me to go I wouldn’t have went,” Buchanan said.

Judd Sellars is the property owner of Charlie’s Place. The plaque has Daniels' portrait, holding a fiddle, and includes the artist's quote:

“Only two things protect America. The grace of Almighty God and the United States Military.”

Sellars is kickstarting efforts to open a country music museum that would be part of Charlie’s Place.

Sellars has purchased an adjoining property and is raising funds.

“We want to do something that honors our local guys such as Charlie, such as Tracy Lawrence, Darryl Worley, some of those guys who have done a lot for the Mt. Juliet, Wilson County community,” Sellars said.

Businesses that are open or plan to launch at Charlie’s Place include The Incredible Christmas Place, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Truleigh Scrumptious Sweet Café, Maniac’s Leon’s Famous Deli and The Peach Cobbler Factory.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Charlie Daniels family react to Mt. Juliet dedication; museum may be next