The Flag
June 1999
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The Flag |
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Newsletter for
Wilkes T. Thrasher VFW Post 4848
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YORK FAMILY visits Post 4848 to aid the fight to keep Murfreesboro's medical facilities. In the background are (in uniform, left to right) grandson Col. Gerald York, Post Commander Bill Tickle, Andy York, Betsy Ross York Lowery and George York, Col. York's father. Center foreground is disabled veteran Greg Vandergriff whose wife Charlotte spearheaded a petition drive. (Photos by Pete Chaney)Support VA hospital at Murfreesboro Sgt. York’s family visits post 17,000 names gathered to save facility No son of Tennessee is more highly recognized for his bravery in defense of his country than Alvin C. York. That dedication to serving America continues as his children and their families join the fight to keep medical services at the hospital named after their father. Alvin C. York VA Hospital at Murfreesboro faces loss of services, to be moved to Nashville, if regional Veterans Affairs officials have their way. The York family attended a meeting at VFW Post 4848 May 29 to show support for leaving the medical facility as is. Charlotte Vandergriff, whose husband Greg is a disabled highly decorated Vietnam veteran, has been among those gathering over 17,000 signatures on a petition to save the Alvin C. York Hospital treatment facility. Three of Sgt. York’s children attending were George York, Andy York and Betsy Ross Lowery. Col. Gerald York, George’s son, was present. VFW Post 4848 at the May membership meeting was addressed by Charlotte. Members signed petitions and voted as a body to urge Rep. Zach Wamp and Senators Bill Frist and Fred Thompson to fight for the hospital services. All four local television stations, the Times-Free Press and local radio stations attended and interviewed the York family. The petitions will be delivered to Vice President Al Gore, Rep. Wamp and Senators Thompson and Frist. |
Post 4848 joins area veterans
observes Memorial Day ‘99
Post 4848 joined veteran organizations throughout the area to remember fallen comrades in solemn ceremonies at National Cemetery on Memorial Day June 31.
Carrying the colors for the post were Bill Tickle and Jack Thomas. Mary Ann Wilson and Geraldine Tickle posted colors for the Ladies Auxiliary.
Coordinated by the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, the ceremony featured The Retired Officers Association as host unit.
Commander Tickle read the names of Post 4848 members who have died during the past year.
Keynote speaker was Rear Adm. Vance Fry, USN Ret. He was introduced by Ernest Seagle, CAVC chairman.
Wayne Shearer was master of ceremonies. CAVC Honor Guard Commander Ralph Wilson posted the colors and Pledge Allegiance, by Milton Thomas.
POSTING COLORS for VFW 4848 are Bill Tickle and Jack Thomas. The CAVC Honor Guard commanded by Ralph Wilson (fourth from left) stand at attention.
LADIES AUXILIARY COLORS are posted by Geraldine Tickle and Mary Ann Wilson. Mary Ann wears the new Ladies Auxiliary uniform design.
Taps
Memorial Day 1999
Charles E. Allen
William G. Ashley
William M. Carter
Edmund A. Dara
James A. Dill
Raymond O. Goodman
George A. Hancock
James M. Harper
Clyde M. Ingle
William C. Jolly
C.L. Martin
Hassell Nichols
Grady G. Norman
John M. Richardson
Warren M. Roberts
Jerry C. Smith
Joseph R. Smith
Winifred C. Smith
Nuel W. Taylor
John S. Tollett
Convention set June 24-27 in Nashville
Officers and members of VFW Post 4848 will be heading for Nashville for the state Veterans of Foreign Wars convention slated for June 24-27.
Among those planning to attend are Commander Bill Tickle and Quartermaster Mac McGuffey. The new state commander will be installed.
Plans to honor city-county’s finest
Last year under David Wilson’s leadership as jr. vice Post 4848 gave plaques to the top city police officer, deputy sheriff and fireman.
Officer Mike Stro was honored as leading city policeman and went on to win the state honors for his devotion to duty.
This year Jr. Vice John Scott plans a similar program. He was voted funds necessary at the May membership meeting.
Funds were also voted for the commander and quartermaster to attend the state convention, for a table at the CAVC banquet, to pay the band $900 per week for three nights and to expend necessary funds for Memorial Day flags.
Officers sworn in
Joe Murphy of Post 1289 performed swearing in ceremonies for 1999-2000 officers of Post 4848 in ceremonies May 22.
They will officially take their positions when the gavel is passed by the state.
CREW of the Pretty Old Boat brings the World War II trawler in to the dock at Ross's Landing. Making the trip from Hale's Bar were (from left)"Oarsman" Bill Tickle, "Helmsman" Rod Walker, "Captain" Joe Cheek, "Seacook" David Wilson and "Oarsman" Fred Kizer.
COUNT 'EM--13 stars are on the flag sported by the Pretty Old Boat. No, the ship isn't quite that old, but it was around during World War II. Joe Cheek bought it at Chesapeake, Va., and with his crew brought it down the Inland Waterway to Florida, across the Gulf of Mexico and up the Tombigee River to the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.
Pretty Old Boat
That’s the name—Pretty Old Boat, a 1943 vintage World War II trawler bought and being renovated by Joe Cheek.
In May, he brought it up from Hales Bar for refueling to Ross’s Landing. His crew enjoying the "sea trip" and cookout included Rod Walker, David Wilson, Bill Tickle and Fred Kizer.
Comment . . . pete chaney
Don’t worry about America. It’s going to be okay. Love of country is alive and well—past, present and future.
When the family of Tennessee’s most decorated veteran care enough to fight for veterans and their services at Alvin C. York VA Hospital, that spirit is going strong. They could have found something else to do that Saturday afternoon.
But the children and their children of Alvin C. York came to Chattanooga to support the drive to continue services at the Murfreesboro facility. The descendants of our heroes remember.
And the next generation is standing tall.
Anyone who saw the Armed Forces Day Parade had to be impressed by the young JROTC members, Boys and girls, some just in their teens, stepping out smartly in their uniforms. Their pride and patriotic beamed from their faces.
America is in good hand—now and for the future.
Notes . . .
Every smoker will like the quote DALTON ROBERTS reminds us of: "That which we resist persists."
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As cruise director of the Southern Belle, DELORES ROY has a lot of duties. Now she has a new name. TRACY LEE calls her "Captain D."
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In the article on the changes at Murfreesboro hospital in the Times-Free Press, JUDY WALTON reported that veterans’ funds were taken from them and put into the highway funding. At the time in answer to our query, ZACH WAMP explained the funds were originally put into the highway bill and couldn’t be changed, but didn’t come from veterans benefits.
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Just back from the American Legion, BOB LAHIERE wants to get frequent flyer miles for his luggage, which went twice as far as he did and got home behind him.
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The new uniforms for the Ladies Auxiliary looked good at Memorial Day services. MARY ANN WILSON wore one.
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An old friend and former 4848 member was in town for Memorial Day. MIKE HAIR was in from Arizona.
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If you haven’t dined at THE KITCHEN yet, you’ve missed some fine food. ALICE SCOTT is doing a great job serving tasty dishes on dance nights.
Post 4848 Calendar June
E-Board meeting Tuesday, June 1, 6:30 PM.
Membership meeting Thursday, June 3, 7 PM, with food and refreshments to follow.
Ladies Auxiliary meeting, Thursday, June 3, 7 PM.
MOC meeting Sunday, June 13, 5 PM.
MOCA meeting Sunday, June 13, 5 PM.
State VFW Convention in Nashville June 24-27.
Post Monthly Family Dinner Sunday, June 27, 4-6 PM.
DANCE NIGHTS
Wednesdays, 9 PM to Midnight; 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
or 
Web site: ipspress.com/vfw4848.
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