Chattanooga Area
Veterans Council

Order of American Military Services formation.

The Chattanooga Area Veterans Council

Begun in 1983 as the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Veterans Coordinating Committee, this organization was formed under the leadership of its first chairman, Bryant Cook, to pull veteran organizations together and coordinate their activities. The name was changed in 1994 under chairmanship of Bill Carman to call it the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council. The goal was to include groups in the tri-state areas of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.

Currently numerous organizations participate in the work which sponsors such functions as Veterans Day, Memorial Day and other ceremonies. One of the most appreciated work is performed by the Honor Guard which offers services at Veteran funerals and at special patriotic functions.

In 1995, the 50^th anniversary of World War II, the CAVC undertook sponsorship of the Armed Forces Day Parade which was in danger of being discontinued. This was under the chairmanship of Bill Carman with Edith Adkins as chairperson and Col. Bill Raines as military projects officer.  A much anticipated USO Dance was added each fall to remind everyone of the days of World War II when these functions brought cheer to service men and women.

Among the most important achievements of the CAVC was pulling together the people and funds in 1997 to build a pavilion at the National Cemetery through donations from a private donor, Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga. Begun in the administration of Chairman Ralph Astin in 1995, the pavilion was completed in Bob Lahier's administration.  It was dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1997, by Gov. Don Sundquist.

Past Chairmen

Bryant L. Cook--1983
W.M. Hedrick--1984
William Pugh--1985
Robert M. Burgner--1986
Joe Murphy--1987
Charles Knowlan--1988
Howard M. Smith III, 1989
Lloyd D. Byers--1990
Joseph W. Young--1991
John W. Cotton--1992
Larry Sago--1993
Bill Carman--1994
Ralph Astin--1995
Charles Bearden--1996
Robert Lahiere--1997
Milton Thomas--1998
Ernest Seagle--1999
Dan Lovin, 2000
Steve Stewart, 2001
Jim King, 2002
Jim Ratcliffe, 2003
Jim Schull, 2004

Charles H. Coolidge Award
Auxiliary/Distaff Member of the Year

Each year the services of a veteran
and of an auxiliary/distaff member
are recognized with the prestigious awards.

Participating Members

82nd Airborne Association
American Ex POW Chapter
American Legion Post 14
American Legion Post 47
American Legion Post 81
American Legion Post 95
American Legion Post 107
American Legion Post 112
American Legion Post 148
American Legion Post 159
American Legion Post 167
Fleet Reserve Association Branch 187
Marine Corps League
Marine Corps League Auxiliary
Submarine Veterans of World War II
The Retired Enlisted Association
The Retired Officers Association
Tennessee State Guard
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1289
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3679
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4848
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4985
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8153
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 203
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 942

Associate Members

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 14
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 95
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 159
Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Chapter 6
Marine Corps League Auxiliary
Veterans of World War I Ladies Auxiliary, Barracks 2063

American Gold Star Mothers, Scenic Area Chapter
Chattanooga Area Veterans Center
Chickamauga/Chattanooga Military Park
National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History
Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic

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News Releases from Candace Underwood
Director of the National Cemetery in Chattanooga

Annual CAVC Installation and Awards Banquet Mar. 26, 2004

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