The Flag
January 1999

Newsletter for Wilkes T. Thrasher VFW Post 4848
1491 Riverside Dr. Chattanooga, TN 37406
(423) 624-6687; FAX (423) 698-7803

Post 4848 greets official
from state’s VA affairs

JOHN FURGESS, state Asst. Commissioner of Veteran Affairs (second from left), is welcomed to Post 4848 by Commander Bill Tickle.  With them are Post Jr. Vice and state Judge Advocate John Scott (left) and Bob Blair (right) Third District Commander and post Sr. Vice Bob Blair.

Comment . . . Pete Chaney

  Think about it.  If we live another year, we will see the year 2000.  Not many of us thought about that when we were younger, a lot younger.  A worn out idea is the guy who said, “If I’d know I would live this long, I woulda taken better care of myself.”
  But we are here, and there’s something to think about.  Most of us gray heads had a parent who was born in the last century, in the 1800’s.  That means if we live another year two generations will span a century—100 years.
  When we were young, our parents and relatives sat around and talked about family.  Now nobody has time.  Everything is too fast paced.  Our kids don’t know, unfortunately, don’t care about that great uncle or great-great grandmother.
  For a while, my daughter was getting onto the Internet and working up a family tree.  I found information and sent it to her.  She lost interest.  Her life is busy, as most lives are.
  When we pass on, much of what our families were will be lost.
  All we can do is try to do in our modest ways to send it forward to another generation.
  After all, if you think about it, with two generations spanning 100 years, possibly 40 generations would reach year to 1 BC.  And what do we remember from family to family, except for what we read.
  All we can do is try to pass on to those who follow us is what we know, what we felt and try to make their lives better.

Holidays fun, success for Post 4848

  Commander Bill Tickle called the 1998 Christmas and New Year’s Eve programs for Post 4848 were one of the best ever.
  “Everyone pitched in to make it a great holiday treat for post members and the community,” he said.
  “I especially want to give recognition to John Scott for the work he did on gathering food items for the Christmas baskets.”
  With a budget of $1500 for 75 baskets to go to needy persons in the community, the cost was within $200 of the sum set.
  Baskets were assembled and sent on delivery within a couple of hours Saturday, Dec. 19.
  Some 150 members and family attended the annual Christmas Sunday, Dec. 20.
  And Quartermaster Mac McGuffey called the New Year’s Eve dance “one of the best I recall.  The hall was packed and not a single word of discord.”
  E-board member Oscar Farrow commented, “I wish we could have a dance like this once a week.  We all enjoy it and it helps the post.”

Bob Blair pushes post to reach goal

  “We are within reaching distant of our 1999 membership goals,” post Sr. Vice Chairman Bob Blair declared.  “And we will reach our goal.”
  The goal set by the state is 946.
  He is asking for each member to bring in a renewal or a new member during January, stressing that just a little more effort will take the post to the quota.
  “If we don’t go forward,” he asserted, “we will be sliding backward.  We don’t want that.
  “Post 4848 is too important to all of us not to do our best to take it full strength into the 21st Century.”

98 was a good year for Post 4848

 Worldwide recognition highlighted a banner year for Post 4848 with presentation of the prestigious Community Service Award to the post at the national Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Texas.
  “It was a proud moment for me and for the post to receive this,” Commander Bill Tickle said.  “I accepted it on behalf of all our members and the Auxiliary which worked together for the community.”
The commander recalled his second most prideful moment came when the law officers selected by the post were given state recognition.
  Chattanooga Officer Mike Stro was given the top state VFW award.

Notes . . .

  A nice Christmas card came  from CHRIS LANE.  His voice may be better remembered than his name.  For years he has served as an announcer on the Armed Forces Radio Network.  And his name inspired the stage name for ELLIE JOHNSON who became singer CRISTY LANE.  His voice tells the story on the talking book version of “One Day at a Time.”

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  Everyone at the post mourns the death of LLOYD SHEPARD.  He was on the door for dance nights from 1974 until his recent retirement.  We are glad he had  some recognition with his picture in last issue of The Flag.  The same picture appears in color for the post’s Internet web page, and Lloyd was given an 8X10 copy of the picture.

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After two years as chairman of the Medal of Honor Museum Board, JOE YOUNG has said he would stand for another term.  He told TOM STANFIELD the museum was moving along, but needed more financial help.  Post 4848 member LEO SMITH was instrumental in starting the museum.  And other members of the post worked successfully to get the St. Elmo Elementary School for a relocation site.

Post 4848 Calendar January

  E-Board meeting Tuesday,  Jan. 5, 6:30 PM.

  Membership meeting Thursday, Jan. 7, 7 PM, with food and refreshments to follow.

  Ladies Auxiliary meeting, Thursday, Jan. 7, 7 PM.

  MOC meeting Sunday, Jan. 10, 5 PM.

  MOCA meeting Sunday, Jan. 10, 5 PM.

  CAVC Armed Forces Parade committee meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19, at Naval Reserve Center.

TAPS
Lloyd Shepard

KARAOKE
Each Sunday night

DANCE NIGHTS
Next of Kin—Friday’s 9 PM to 1 AM;
Saturdays, 9 PM to 1 AM.

  If you have items of interest to Post 4848 members, please turn them in to the quartermaster or any bartender by the 20th of the month prior to publication of The Flag.  You can FAX items to 698-7803.  For e-mail submissions, send to VFW Post 4848 at pop@ipspress.com