The Flag February 1999

Petition to save hospital
circulated at post meet

A petition to save the Murfreesboro VA Hospital and prevent its merger with the Nashville VA facility was passed among members at the January membership meeting.

  Greg Vandergriff said keeping the Alvin C. York VA Hospital at Murfreesboro was of vital need to East Tennessee veterans.  Even the distance further west to Nashville was critical.

  He recalled he was seriously ill one his way to Murfreesboro.  If he had to go to Nashville, he didn’t think he would have made it.

  The petition passed among Post 4848 members called for keeping the Murfreesboro facility open.  The same petition was being circulated among other veteran posts throughout the area.

Free dance days a thing of past

    Free dance admission at Post 4848 for life members is a thing of the past.  At the January membership meeting, motion was made and passed to charge everyone for admission.

  The fee is only $3 per person with a $1 corkage fee.

  Commander Bill Tickle explained the change was necessary to cover the costs of paying a band—Next of Kin—and providing services for the dance.

  Motion was made by Jack Thomas, seconded by Bob Blair, to make the change.

Veteran of Year to be nominated

  Nominations for Veteran of the Year and for Distaff Member of the Year were turned in to the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council before the Jan. 31 deadline.

  Sue Carman from the Post 4848 Auxiliary was distaff member last year.  Awards will be presented at the annual banquet in the spring.

 MAN IN BLACK for the evening, Dalton Roberts brought his guitar for a visit to Post 4848.  Pickin' with the former County Executive, Jeannie Patterson is also an accomplished musician.  (Photo by Pete Chaney)

Visitor ‘in black’ at Post 4848
turns it into community sing

  The man who was the top elective official in Hamilton County  for years came calling on Post 4848 Monday, Jan. 25.  He didn’t bring any government documents.

  He brought a song, and his guitar.  He was dressed in black and was kidded about being a Johnny Cash “dressed in black.”

  Dalton Roberts, former county executive, visited the post and gave everyone what many called the best time they ever had at the post.

  Bartender Jeannie Patterson brought her own guitar and became Dalton’s “pickin’ buddy.”  Before the time was over, it was like a community sing.

  In addition to his public service background, Dalton has had a career as a professional musician and performs now on a limited basis.  Jeannie has also had her own band.

Post represented at national visit by Senior Vice

  Members of Post 4848 made the journey to Athens Jan. 15 to participate in the statewide tour of national Veterans of Foreign Wars representative.

  National Sr. Vice Commander John Smard was accompanied by state VFW Commander Herschel Sharpe.

  Among those attending the festivities from Post 4848 were Commander Bill Tickle, Sr. Vice Commander Bob Blair, Quartermaster Mac McGuffey and Jr. Vice Commander John Scott who was part of the state tour

James Tollett chosen new trustee for post

  A new trustee was elected at the January membership meeting.  James Tollett will take the post vacated by Oscar Farrow who resigned to take a seat on the executive committee.   Oscar’s seat was filled at the 1998 membership election, with the term to expire in three years

Bill Bordwine is recognized for dance work

  Special recognition was given Bill Bordwine and Faye King for their work on the New Years Eve dance which was called by many the best the post has ever held.

  The January Executive Committee meeting voted their thanks.  It was repeated by Commander Bill Tickle and by Quartermaster Mac McGuffey.

  This is the seventh year Bill has handled the chore of managing the dance, which is always considered a highlight for the post.

St. Elmo move of MOH museum wants $8-million

  The Chattanooga Times/Free-Press reports the Medal of Honor Museum has stalled on its move to the St. Elmo elementary school site due to inadequate fund raising.

  The city offered the property to the museum and put $150,000 into improvements to allow the move from 4th St. and Georgia Ave. to quarters three times larger along with three acres of land.

  Stipulation of the deed transfer called for museum leadership to show proof they could raise funds to renovate and continue operations.

  Dan Smith, who took the curator-executive director position on the death of Leo Smith, wants to raise $8-million to get started.  Joe Young is board chairman.

CAVC Parade chairman picked

  Chairmen for the 1999 Armed Forces Day Parade were named at the Jan. 19 meeting of the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council.

  John Germ, well known Chattanooga business man, will be the civilian chairman.  And Vice Admiral Ronald Eytchison  (ret.) will be military chairman.

3rd Marine Division plaque planned

  A plaque honoring the Third Marine Division will be placed at the National Cemetery Apr. 17. With Gen. Ray Davis scheduled as keynote speaker, the plaque will join those in the Circle of Honor.

Volunteers needed for Honor Guard

  Most of the Honor Guard members are of the World War II and Korean War generation, and the ranks are getting thinner.

  Ralph Wilson, Honor Guard commander for Post 4848 and for the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, badly needs volunteers.  Anyone able to volunteer some time on a regular or occasional basis can contact Ralph at 866-0138.

Notes . . .

  A nice note of thanks came to the post from the Salvation Army in appreciation of members who took part as bell ringers for Christmas.  Their work raised a total of $226.45.  FRED KIZER did a great job spearheading the project.

 ********

    We all need to pitch in and help Sr. Vice Commander BOB BLAIR in our membership goal.  We only need 117 members to reach the post quota and be 100 percent.

********

Vet View . . . pete chaney

Remember that time—maybe it was the middle of the night—when you arrived at basic training camp?  Some jerk maybe with one or two stripes on his sleeve had you jumping around, running back and forth to pick up a blanket, a pillow or the necessities for a night’s sleep.  Someone with one more stripe on his arm talked to like you were a dog.

  Then people who didn’t realize it was raining had you sitting out in a field during a downpour while they told you about military courtesy.  Some men who moved like marionettes  gave demonstrations how to turn to your right, your left or just turn around.  The food was the kind you would have sent back at the worst greasy spoon, meat full of gristle splashed in a tin mess kit.

  But all of a sudden you started putting on weight and muscle, or losing fat.  All of a sudden you started to get your own act together.

  In the days of the draft, you might share a pup tent with a rancher’s son Dallas or a ditchdigger from Chicago.  Thinking back, you  feel maybe the draft wasn’t such a bad idea.  He taught young men discipline and the importance of defending their country.

  You learned a lot about the rest of the world, a lot about yourself.  After basic, you might see a world beyond your dreams.  Maybe you went somewhere and shot at someone and got shot at.  Maybe you had a desk job overlooking a beach.

  Whatever the experience, it was one you’ll never forget.  It’s like they said: wouldn’t go through it again for a million dollars, but wouldn’t take a million for the experience.

Post 4848 Calendar February

  E-Board meeting Tuesday,  Feb. 2, 6:30 PM.

  Membership meeting Thursday, Feb. 4, 7 PM, with food and refreshments to follow.

  Ladies Auxiliary meeting, nomination and election, Thursday, Feb. 4, 7 PM.

  Valentine Dance Saturday, Feb. 13, 9 PM.

  MOC meeting Sunday, Feb. 14, 5 PM.

  MOCA meeting Sunday, Feb. 14, 5 PM.

  TAPS
George Bolus

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

KARAOKE with Larry
Sunday and Wednesday nights 6:30-10:30 PM

  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 or e-mail them to pop@ipspress.com. 

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