A dream is nearing reality for Post 4848, and music kicks off the project. A fund raising benefit for construction of a boat dock at the post will be held Sunday, Sept. 26, beginning at 6 PM.

The post has one of the few permits along the Tennessee River for construction of a boat dock. Work must begin before the Riverwalk goes through and blocks access.

Jr. Vice Commander Oscar Farrow said the post dance band, County Line, will perform along with other bands.

Dalton Roberts has joined the development committee and will assist with the benefit. Tickets for the benefit will be $5.

"The benefit will begin following the post Ladies Auxiliary from 4 to 6 PM," Oscar said. "We hope everyone will come by for a home cooked meal for only $4 for adults and $1.50 for children."

Working with the committee along with Dalton and Oscar are Joe Cheek, Doug Gallant and Pete Chaney.

"This will be a great asset to our post," Commander Bill Tickle declared. "We will leave something generations of VFW members who follow us will enjoy."

Ken Hays, chief of staff for Mayor Jon Kinsey, and Recreation and Parks Supervisor Jerry Mitchell are assisting the post with linking the dock along the concept of the Riverwalk.

When we consider what veterans have done for us, it is never difficult to do something for them. Whatever it is large or small it is a pleasure, privilege and honor.

I remember a time when a large veteran's convention was meeting at the Choo Choo and I was there to welcome them to Hamilton County. The emcee said, "We appreciate you disrupting your busy schedule to be with us today."

My mind went back to the day I was playing with some kids at a neighbor's house when she told us the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. Her tone of voice was so ominous it quieted us instantly. We asked what it meant and she said, "It means we are now at war. It means we will have to fight or become

the slaves of another country."

It wasn't long until I saw exactly what it meant in our little community. The young men and some of the not-so-young men went off to war.

Rod Adams, the big brother of two of my favorite playmates, joined the Navy to serve on the USS North Carolina. Two of the Denham boys who lived three doors away were gone within weeks. One of my favorite cousins sent home a picture dressed in his paratrooper uniform. It filled me with pride and remains in my possession to this day. Even fathers in the community with wives and children volunteered to go fight.

All of them had dreams and plans for the life they wanted to live but they disrupted those plans to protect us from possible death or servitude. In the heart of a little eight year old Watering Trough boy, a permanent love and appreciation for veterans was born.

It grew in high school when that same cousin almost lost his feet to frostbite in Korea. Still later, another friend came home from Vietnam with "post traumatic stress syndrome," described much more accurately in WW2 as "shell-shock and battle fatigue." His emotional frame had been picked clean by the vultures of war and I hardly recognized anything but his face.

Rather than a roll call of all the veterans I have known who gave much or all for my freedom, this is only a tiny slice of a large memory. Every person reading this could quickly call forth the names and faces of their own friends and family members who went off to pay for the good life we live every day.

I was asked recently to help the veterans of the VFW 4848 Post raise funds for a boat dock behind their facility on Riverside Drive. It may not be one of those heart-wrenching projects like playing a benefit for a child needing a liver transplant but the grateful heart of that little eight year old boy still beats in this old man who walks free and lives a good life, thanks to veterans. I'll gladly do it and I know you will, too.

Another reason to help is the Post's cooperation with the ambitious Tennessee Riverpark we all enjoy so much. It has not been easy to get the agreements of property owners to take the Riverwalk from Chickamauga Dam to Ross's Landing, the birthplace of Chattanooga. Veterans shared this dream with the community and granted an easement through Post property.

In a talk at the Aquarium in ‘93 or 94, I likened all the exciting projects along the Riverwalk to bright jewels on a Tennessee Riverpark necklace. A boat dock behind the VFW Post is one of the last sparkling pieces we need to put in place.

The kickoff event is a "Boat Dock Dance" at the post Sunday, September 26, at 6:00 o'clock with musicians and veterans contributing their time and talents. All you and I are asked to do is contribute five bucks for a ticket, unless, of course, something in your heart makes you want to do more. If you can't go, write a check to "VFW Dock Fund" and mail it to 1491 Riverside Drive, Chattanooga TN 37406.

The tickets read, "A dock for VFW members worldwide." That sounds expansive but it is true. Many veterans make their posts their homes wherever they visit or vacation. The posts regularly host state, regional and national events for the many special service groups of American Legion and VFW organizations.

"It was a wonderful experience," declared VFW Post 4848 Commander Bill Tickle. "Kansas City went all out to welcome us at the VFW Convention honoring the 100th anniversary of our organization."

He recalled a highlight was the address by President Bill Clinton who was warmly received by the veterans.

"He drove his Secret Service folks crazy," Bill said, "when he went down onto the floor to shake hands with people after his speech."

President Clinton told the veterans what they wanted to hear, according to the commander—that he would support the military and veterans.

Among those joining Bill for the trip were his wife Geraldine, post Trustee and State Judge Advocate John Scott and his wife Alice, Fred and Ann Kizer.

The convention was held Aug. 14-20 at the Battle Hall Convention Center.

"We learned a lot at the convention," the commander declared. "I will be making a report at the September membership meeting."

Gail Anderson, president of the VFW Post 4848 Auxiliary, urged all members to attend the Thursday, Sept. 2, meeting where plans will be made for the upcoming year.

"Dues collection and our membership drive will begin this month," she said. "Lifetime membership will be promoted."

Anyone purchasing a lifetime membership in the auxiliary will have the name put into a draw. Free membership will go to the winner.

Purchase must be made by Dec. 31 to qualify.

Lifetime fees are:

Anna Kizer is membership chairman and can be reached for an application at 875-9163.

"We hope everyone will attend and enjoy the fun while supporting our projects," Gail stated. "And we remind everyone our family dinners resume Sunday, Sept. 26, from 4 PM to 6 PM."

Charge for the dinner is $4 for adults and $1.50 for children.

Jr. Vice Commander Oscar Farrow expressed appreciation to the members who aided in the Memorial Hospital lunch for families of intensive care patients.

National honors came to Post 4848’s Ladies Auxiliary at the National Convention in Kansas City in August.

Mary Anne Wilson and Gail Anderson received Outstanding Achievement Awards for the Department of Tennessee Ladies Auxiliary.

Second place national awards went to Mary Anne as publicity chairman and to Gail as safety chairman. Third place went to Cheryl Lott, a member of the Jackson auxiliary for work with Junior Girls.

There was a time when Post 4848 had the plan and the resources to build a second story to the post home, offering a window where members could enjoy a view of the river. Time ran out and the project fell by the wayside.

Now the post has another opportunity—to add a boat dock which will be available for VFW members worldwide. Just imagine what this means to host other veterans from distant posts who may cruise the river. Just imagine what a membership asset this will be, where a member can tie up his boat and enjoy the post hospitality and functions.

A fund drive is underway to cover costs, which are surprising low. One estimate if $11,000. And help has come from friends, people like Dalton Roberts who is offering his time and talent, from city officials like Ken Hays and Jerry Mitchell who give encouragement and advice.

In case you haven’t noticed, the section of the fence blocking the Riverwalk from the edge of Post 4848 by the river has been removed.

Members can park their cars at the rear of the lot and "take a walk."

Under the leadership of Jr. Vice Commander Oscar Farrow, the brush on the bank of the river is being cleared and cut. Volunteers have joined each Saturday morning in the summer sun to do the work.

"We are very grateful to the city," Oscar said, "for their help in disposing of the brush once we have it down.

When FORREST SCOGIN sent in his 2000 membership renewal, there was no doubting his sentiments. The envelope was covered with patriotic and military stickers. Have you sent in your membership renewal yet?

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Members and friends of the post had an afternoon to remember Aug. 26 with some grinnin’ and pickin.’

Dalton Roberts visited with some friends and the lounge had a taste of foot stomping music southern style. A friend of Post 4848, Dalton is also former county executive.

A special ceremony recognizing missing Vietnam Veterans will be held in the pavilion at the National Cemetery Sunday, Sept. 19, at 2 PM.

Ms. Joann Shirley of the national League of Families of POW/MIA will be guest speaker. Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Affairs is expected to attend.

Sam Farmer, a member of Post 4848, is program chairman.

American Legion Post 95 will observe on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 6 PM the 50th anniversary of the sacrifice crash of Capt. William E. Blair’s B-25 on Missionary Ridge.

E-Board meeting Tuesday, Aug 31, 6:30 PM.

Membership meeting Thursday, Sept. 2, 7 PM, with food and refreshments to follow.

Ladies Auxiliary meeting, Thursday, Sept. 2, 7 PM.

MOC meeting Sunday, Sept. 12, 5 PM.

MOCA meeting Sunday, Sept. 12, 5 PM.

Vietnam Veterans POW/MIA ceremony at National Cemetery Sunday, Sept. 19, at 2 PM.

Gold Star Mothers ceremony at American Legion Post 95 Sunday, Sept. 26, at 2 PM.

Post Monthly Family Dinner Sunday, Sept. 26, 4-6 PM.