Devotion
In North Carolina, Devotion is the name of the unincorporated town & 10,000 acre estate that belonged to the Reynolds (RJR Tobacco) family near Dobson, NC.
Secondly, it is also the name of the recently released film featuring Jonathan Majors & Glen Powell: DEVOTION
The Outfitter
We are constantly sending anglers out from our local fly shop on adventures to the delayed harvest waters of the Mitchell River near Dobson. This river’s headwaters begin on the private, Reynolds property of Devotion. When comparing the two, there are many differences between our founder, Jesse Brown, and the Korean War hero, Jesse Brown.
Our Jesse was born in 1933 and lived a long life. He started Jesse Brown’s Backpacking Mountaineering Canoeing Kayaking in 1970. The war hero, Jesse Brown was born in 1926 in Mississippi.
Comparison
Two of Jesse’s passions were the outdoors and flying. One led to the other and we continue to promote the outdoor lifestyle through the brick-and-mortar outdoor store based in Charlotte, NC, and the website www.jessebrowns.com.
Our Jesse, and enlisted in the Navy at age 20 as a young African-American man with an interest in aviation. He earned his pilot wings in 1948 and was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The name, the era they were born, and the interest in flying ties them together.
The war hero, was salutatorian of his high school class, earned a degree from Ohio State University, earned his pilot wings, and ultimately sacrificed his life in service to his country. His name is on the frigate, USS Jesse L. Brown and several books have been written about him. The 2022 film, Devotion, highlights his life, death, and relationship with fellow pilot, Thomas Hudner.
As for our Jesse Brown. He lived into the 21st century and his name continues to adorn Jesse Brown’s Outdoors and our website www.jessebrowns.com. We stay devoted to our clients by providing selection, service, and commitment to our community.
We are proud to share the name, Jesse Brown. One, a pioneer in opening the first specialty outdoor store in the south & the other, an American hero.
*According to www.RJReynoldsEstate.com
By Bill Bartee
