Chapter Activities
Chapter 203 (Chattanooga)
Captain Larry Taylor, Member of Chapter 203 will be honored at the White House soon as his Silver Star Medal will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. This is a wonderful story and a well deserved honor . I will upgrade with the official document when it is presented.
Vietnam Recognition Day.
Seen the link:
Chapter 203 received Proclamations from The City of Ft Oglethorpe, GA, The city of Chattanooga, TN and the county of Hamilton County, TN
Their Honor Guard also received the 2023 Hamilton County Patriots Award for outstanding services to the Armed Forces and Veteran Community
Plus, Chapter 203 is starting off 2023 with renewed enthusiasm toward membership growth. I spoke with Charlie this AM and Chapter 203 is off on a huge drive to recruit and bring back members who, years ago, were on their Inactive list. They are comparing their Inactive years-ago list(s) with their Deceased rosters and contacting those who never converted to Life membership and could still be around. The Chapter is also going so far as to pay the Life membership fee for the 1st 50 who join the Chapter.
This is a great idea for all Chapters. Pull out your old Inactive lists and compare with Deceased rosters and contact those who have not passed and urge them to consider joining your Chapter. A wonderful way for all Chapters to kick-off 2023.
Just a couple of reasons why Chapter 203 continues to be a leader in Tennessee and VVA.
Charlie Hobbs, President
VVA Chapter 203
Chapter 240 (Hendersonville)
In 2009, Chapter 240 consolidated and moved its 2 Food Banks into 1 located in Hendersonville. The Chapter serves disadvantaged veterans and their families plus survivors of Sumner County. We are open every Saturday from 9AM – 11AM, and we are available for appointments for those unable to attend our regular distribution.Since 2009, we have only missed being open 4 times. Three times for inclement weather and we were closed this past Christmas.
Upon consolidation of the Food Banks, the Chapter applied for and was awarded a $15,000 grant in order to begin purchasing food items from 2nd Harvest Food Bank in Nashville. The following year, we were awarded $10,000.
We have now grown to a point where we now also receive donations from community churches, businesses and individuals.
For a veteran to receive food support, we necessarily had to implement a rigorous application process due to several early folks who attempted to scam us. However, using this process, we have discovered that we learn more about the veteran where suggestions for employment, claims, etc. can be made.
Chapter 596 had their DAR ceremony last night and had a great turnout. We also had three new members to join.
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 596
presented their annual Edward G. Sharpe Memorial Scholarship at Cleveland State Community College to nursing student Caitlyn Mantooth September 1st at the college. Pictured presenting the scholarship left to right are Lee McChesney, Foundation Director, Doyle Hughes, VVA Chapter Treasurer, Tim Green, VVA Chapter Secretary, Caitlyn Mantooth, recipient, James Dean VVA Chapter President and Dr. John Squires, Foundation Executive Director.
The scholarship was established in 1993 and guided toward nursing students that are children or grandchildren of United States Military veterans in their second year of study. In the event there are no second year candidates a first year nursing student may be considered. To apply student must go through the financial aid department at the college. “We welcome the opportunity to assist in providing nurses to our community through this program”, says James Dean, chapter president.
Chapter 1004
Lebanon, feted the National Guard with a wonderful Luncheon over the Holidays. Several units within the 278th have been partners with several Chapter in various events through the years, and along with thanks for their deployments, deserve all our thanks.
Chapter 1123 (Perry County/Linden)
New monuments for all veterans were erected in November 2019 and the Korean/Vietnam Monument was placed.
A total of 473 bricks were sold and they will be placed in two areas at the Courthouse and one area around the Lobelville Monument at City Hall.
Photos courtesy of Delaine Hester.)
Chapter 1129 Cheatham Count
Chapter 1129 Cheatham County
Conducted a full-house Welcome Home Ceremony on Wednesday at which time Chapter President Walter Weakley presented a Honorary Life Membership was presented to Ashland City Mayor Kerry McCarver (see photo).
Barry
Chapter 1073 Morristown
Many thanks to Chapter 1073, Morristown, for their steadfast support of veterans, their families and other organizations working for veterans of Morristown. It is thru efforts such as Chapter 1073’s that says, loud and clear, that VVA is strong and here for the long-haul. See photo(s) below.
Barry
“Wednesday March 29 “Vietnam Veterans Day” at 1pm VVA chapter 1073 held the dedication a Veterans monument in Honor of all veterans at the Hamblen Memorial Gardens at the veteran’s section of the cemetery. Guest Speaker at the event was Jim Claborn and other community leaders were present as well as several Veterans groups. Please see Pictures attached.
Also see Facebook page ( Vietnamvets Morristown)”
Marvin Gilliam
VVA chapter 1073/Secretary
P.O. Box 3326
Morristown, TN
423-231-9819
mgilliamster@gmail.com
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Chapter 1143 (Greeneville)
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CHAPTER 950 DICKSON COUNTY
The following named individuals received the Vietnam War 50 Year Commemorative pin, and Certificate:
Mary Ann Ehrhardt, James Cagle, Don Underhill, Jeff Daniel, John Lee, James Mulligan, Larry Neeley,
Terry Queen, Jerry Weems, Al Woods, and Daniel Pate. Presenting Awards to deserving folks
#1 John Cunningham is Chapter 950’s Sergeant at Arms and has been very active in the chapter.
#2 Donald James owns a wrecker service in Dickson, TN. and does not charge veterans for tow service.
#3Jeff Bledsoe is the former Sheriff for Dickson County and is now President of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association.
The following named individuals received the Vietnam War 50 Year Commemorative pin, and Certificate:
Mary Ann Ehrhardt, James Cagle, Don Underhill, Jeff Daniel, John Lee, James Mulligan, Larry Neeley,
Terry Queen, Jerry Weems, Al Woods, and Daniel Pate.📱
Chapter 1113
Hosted a Disc Golf event for Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and Blind Veterans yesterday at the Chapter’s golf facility. It was an honor for me to represent TSC and to have the opportunity to interact with these veterans and watch them having a tremendous & fun time. PVA had even had a Disc Golf pro come in from Virginia to introduce the group to the sport and to walk them through which discs to us for driving, chip shots and putting. Future plans include a course for these veterans with the discs and ‘goals/baskets’ to have beepers which will enable our blind veterans to continue the sport.
Congratulations and thanks to Chapter 1113 for reaching out and working with/hosting these veteran groups and for the hard work the Chapter is putting forth with improvements/additions to their facility, Possibly, in the future, TSC can sponsor an event/meeting at Chapter 1113’s facility and play a round of golf.
Barry
Chapter 1053, Waverly, Memorial Day remembrance program. Jerry Pounds remembered the names of Dickson County heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam May we never forget, Barry
Ann and I had the opportunity to visit Chapter 203 yesterday in observance of their Vietnam Veterans & Spousal Support Day. The heat was oppressive but not so much as to keep fellow Brothers and their spouse(s) from enjoying the festivities and in remembrance of Brothers lost as memorialized on The Tennessee Wall Unfortunately, we missed the Chapter's "The Proper Way To Retire The American Flag" Program on Friday, but it was recorded here: https://www.chattanoogan.com/2022/5/28/450035/VIDEO-By-Ben-Cagle-The-Proper-Way-To.aspx Thanks for the invite Chapter 203 - a special day indeed, Barry
All are invited to attend the Dedication Ceremony of Chapter 1078 for this beautiful Memorial for Vietnam Veterans on Tuesday August 9th at Worlds Fair Park (next to the East TN Memorial), in Knoxville, TN.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Barry Rice TSC President
Chapter 1078
Dedicate the East Tennessee Vietnam Memorial today in Knoxville. It was a remarkable yet humbling ceremony remembering and honoring the East Tennessee Vietnam Veterans.
The program began with the landing of a Huey (the sound of the Huey alone set the stage for many somber memories), a few notable speakers, the unveiling of the memorial and the awarding to Ron Kirby of the stunning quilt designed by Donna Buswell. The Chapter concluded by awarding 50 year commemoriation pin to a number of Vietnam Veterans.
Our next chapter meeting will be Tuesday, 10 January 2023, at Redemption Church, located at 3550 Pleasant Ridge Road, Knoxville, TN 37921.
Please note: The Board of Directors will meet at 4:30 PM at the church. Please give them space to conduct the business of our chapter. The meeting of the general membership will begin at 6:00 P.M
We are looking forward to greeting you to the first meeting of the new yea
December Meeting, Holiday Dinner
In lieu of a regular chapter meeting in December, we enjoyed a wonderful holiday dinner held at the Elks Lodge on Lonas Road – the same site at which the Free Veterans Breakfast takes place on the first Saturday of every month.
Approximately 175 members and guests dined on smoked brisket, a shrimp and grits entrée, vegetables and rolls. Food City on Middlebrook Pike donated two huge sheet cakes which were artfully decorated for the holiday season.
Food City also donated 10 dozen roses which Mary Albrecht, Donna Buswell, Susan Kirby and Avery Maples crafted into lovely centerpieces – door prizes taken home at the end of the evening. Donna, Susan and Avery spearheaded the entire dinner which was, by all accounts, a warm and memorable event.
Honorary Lifetime Member
At the holiday dinner, Lt. Colonel (retired) Michael Crawford was recognized by the Board of Directors of The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) as an Honorary Life Member of the national organization of which our chapter
is an affiliate. The VVA Board recognized Mike’s work in supporting all Veterans as a Director on the the board of East TennesseeVeterans Memorial Association and for his direct support of our chapter’s committee working to create and place the VietnamVeterans Monument on the grounds of the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial
Chapter 1089 Vietnam Veteran Day. Just wanted to share a few pics from our event in Murfreesboro on Vietnam Veteran’s day. This event was sponsored by Tristar Veterans Resource Center. This center was started by an idea from Brian Morris a retired navy vet to have a place for all veterans groups to have a place for meetings and a home. There is about 20 veterans groups in Rutherford County and some of these groups have some Vietnam veterans as members. All of these groups helped put this event together to honor Vietnam veterans. There were over 200 meals served I just wanted to give credit to this event to everyone who made it possible. Thanks and God bless this great country of ours. Phil Laprad
CHAPTER 1140
The following is an incredible offer from Chapter 1140 and TSC is most grateful. Chapter 1140 recently co-sponsored a very successful Toxic Exposure Town Hall Meeting in Franklin and as a result, Chapter President Rich Krejsa contacted me with the following inducement to other Tennessee Chapters to conduct a Town Hall. "Chapter 1140 has offered to establish a restricted account of $10,000 to be used to support other Tennessee VVA chapters who want to hold a Toxic Exposure Town Hall meeting but are prevented by financial need. The State Council may make known this financial support to chapters who, after committing to hold such an event, document financial need in order to make this happen. Assistance from this restricted account will be limited to no more than $1,000 per chapter. The chapter holding the event will provide supporting documentation of the identified expenses to VVA 1140 who will provide the funds directly to the hosting chapter with a copy to the TSC. Immediately on passage of this motion the Chapter 1140 will make a $1,000 donation from this restricted account to the Tennessee State Council to help pay their expenses (such as printing, advertising, etc.) incurred in helping other chapters hold such Town Hall Meetings. On January 1, 2025, any funds remaining in this restricted account shall be released from this restriction and return to Chapter 1140’s unrestricted account." The TSC stands ready to co-sponsor a Toxic Exposure Town Hall with Chapters across the state. Contact me and I will provide a checklist of what TSC will be responsible for as well as what will be expected of your Chapter to make your Town Hall a success. Contact Rick Krejsa at richk.vva@gmail.com to facilitate this generous offer from Chapter 1140. Serving Vietnam Veterans and all veterans and their families is in keeping with our Founding Principle and I urge all Chapters to be on board with this offer.
CHAPTER 1148
Note the banners from each light pole along the streets of LaFollette. Chapter 1148 has done an amazing & stunning job of remembering veterans from Campbell County as they had banners created (after securing sponsorships from local businesses & individuals) and then lined the Main streets of LaFollette with photo remembrances of local heroes. The Fire Department installed the American Flags early the morning of the 4th.
What a wonderful tribute to local Campbell County veterans and Chapter 1148 is to be highly commended for their continuing outstanding work of not only growing in membership, but also honoring the service and sacrifice of local veterans.
The Chapter also was able to use this effort as a wonderful fundraiser. I don’t have all the details, but they solicited funds from local businesses for the banners, had a local printer print the banners at a very reduced rate and the Chapter was able to retain the balance for other worthwhile programs they have on the drawing board.
Thank you Chapter 1148 for this wonderful effort of remembrance of Campbell County heroes,
Barry
P.S. This would be a wonderful program for all Chapters – be great to see the streets of Tennessee remembering our heroes.
