The Flag
October 1999
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The Flag |
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Newsletter for
Wilkes T. Thrasher VFW Post 4848
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Benefit Sunday, Sept. 26 Orange Grove Halloween Party For months before October, residents of the Orange Grove Center begin looking at the calendar and wondering "how long." They eagerly await the annual Halloween Party held by Post 4848 for them, with all the hot dogs they can eat, music furnished by the County Line band and, most importantly, their costumes. It will be held Thursday, Oct. 28, beginning at 5 PM. Commander Bill Tickle declared, "Our members enjoy this event as much as our guests. It’s a heartwarming experience. We hope all Post 4848 members will come out to participate and see that this is one of our post’s favorite community services." |
Benefit starts fund drive to build 4848 boat dock First step of a big journey began at Post 4848 Sept. 26 with the benefit to raise funds for a boat dock to serve veterans worldwide. Dalton Roberts served as master of ceremonies with the post band, County Line, providing the entertainment. Redbird Clingman brought his musical talents. Richard Asher is leader of the band. Nearly $2,000 was raised through ticket sales, donations and auctions. An estimated $26,000 is the goal. Dalton volunteered to aid the dock committee for fund raising. Serving on the committee are Jr. Vice and Committee Chairman Oscar Farrow, Joe Cheek, Doug Gallant and Pete Chaney. The dock will be accessed by the Riverwalk and become part of the city’s celebration plans for the Tennessee River. But the dock will be available only for members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from any post. Mayor Jon Kinsey’s staff with Ken Hays and Jerry Mitchell are aiding with coordination Post 4848 Commander Bill Tickle said, "We are very grateful to Dalton Roberts and all those who have joined this project. "With their help, we will make this dock a showplace for Veterans of Foreign Wars." |
Major changes considered for The Armed Forces Week Celebration Committee is considering major changes for the event which highlights the parade in Chattanooga, the only surviving one in a city of this size in America. Possible differences from past events may be the day of the parade and its route. Saturday, May 20, has been mentioned, instead of the usual Friday setting. Rather than have the parade beginning at Ross’s Landing and moving down Market St. to M.L. King, it could be shifted to begin at 12th and Market, cross Market St bridge and end up at Coolidge Park. John Germ is civilian chairman and Gen. Dan Rodgers is military chairman. At the committee meeting Oct. 1, Carl Levi said the Read House has been booked for the luncheon May 19. Tickets for a table of eight will be $125, with one of the chairs reserved for an armed forces person. The National Guard Armory was suggested as location for the VIP reception, but other options were to be sought. |
Special surprise planned for meet of 4848 Auxiliary Ladies Auxiliary President Gail Anderson won’t say what it is, but she has a surprise planned for the Thursday, Oct. 7, meeting. "We have something special for the members," she said. "We hope all will attend and enjoy themselves." And she reminded members lifetime memberships are still their goal. Anna Kizer will be taking applications with hopes there "will be many early bird members." October will be a busy month for the ladies with plans many community activities. On Saturday, Oct. 16, the group will treat Chambliss Home with a Halloween party, with another planned for the East Ridge Lifecare Alzheimer’s Unit on Sunday, Oct. 31. Make a Difference Day will be observed Saturday, Oct. 23, at 6 PM. It will be include a shower for Room at the Inn, the spousal abuse center. "I will have a list of things they need," Gail said. "We will have coffee and cakes." She can reached for information at 870-4709. The president gave a reminder to members for the family dinner Sunday, Oct. 24. |
Entertainment group named An entertainment committee has been appointed by Commander Bill Tickle. Members are Bill, Oscar Farrow, Jack Thomas, Tracy Lee, Carolyn and Ben Crabtree, David Wilson and Robyn Lee. |
Post hours Opening hours for Post 4848 will remain the same, with the doors open at noon. On a motion by James Tollett at the September meeting, members voted to keep the hours unchanged. |
Comment . . . pete chaney Enlistments are down in the military. Veterans organizations are declining in membership. UTC is dropping its ROTC programs. These are the headlines, and the sad truth. We old grayheads remember when the spirit of patriotism ran high. We remember the draft. We remember when people took pride in serving their country, of being part of the VFW, the American Legion or other organizations. Peace has lulled us into a sense of apathy. Why care about the army, navy or marines when there is no Hitler, no Tojo, no Stalin? It’s easy for some to forget that the liberties we enjoy today didn’t come free. Men and women fought for them. They gave their lives, health or part of their lives. We who remember must be sure younger generations know the value of armed forces. As George Washington said, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. |
Steak dinner for bank work will reward area cleanup A steak dinner will be a reward for those working on the riverbank cleanup for the boat dock. Jr. Vice Oscar Farrow made the motion at the e-board meeting Aug. 31. Oscar also made the motion that certificates of appreciation be given Linda Christian and Michele Taylor for help with the Memorial Hospital meals served the fourth Wednesday of each month. In other action from the e-board and membership, a $100 donation was given the JROTC at Central High. Fred Kizer, Voice of Democracy chairman, reported he is working with Post 1289 to coordinate school selection. And he reminded members the post gets a donation when members sign up to aid 4848 when they shop at Bi-LO. Notes . . . If they offered Frequent Driver Miles, BILL BORDWINE would have racked up plenty on his two-week vacation. He covered 5,800 miles through ten states and Canada. ******** The military is having trouble now with recruiting. There was a time when everyone registered for the draft—and were called up when the need arose. Nobody liked being drafted, but wouldn’t take the experience of being in the melting pot of the armed forces. ******* Everyone is proud of the promotion of CHARLES COOLIDGE Jr. to three star general. He is the son of Medal of Honor recipient CHARLES COOLIDGE. ******* The Chattanooga Times-Free Press may find a new reporter available. SHERRY KIMBROW does an excellent job on the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council newsletters. It’s available on the internet at http://ipspress.com/cavc. ******** Credit for cleaning up part of an East Chattanooga neighborhood is being given TOMMY MARKHAM by JIM CHAMBERS. Tommy is with the group which took over the Buster Brown property. ******** Keynote speaker for American Legion Post 95’a remembrance of the sacrifice of Capt. WILLIAM BLAIR, for whom the post was named, was CARL LEVI, commander of Post 14. In his talk, he mentioned that Capt. Blair was found on the ground with the ripcord of his failed chute in his hand. The previously accepted version was that the pilot had crashed at the plane’s controls. |
Post 4848 October Calendar E-Board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6:30 PM. Membership meeting Thursday, Oct. 7, 7 PM, with food and refreshments to follow. Ladies Auxiliary meeting, Thursday, Oct. 7, 7 PM. MOC meeting Sunday, Oct. 10, 5 PM. MOCA meeting Sunday, Oct. 10, 5 PM. Shriners-VFW Flea Market Oct. 9 and 10. Auxiliary Halloween Party for Chambliss Home Saturday, Oct. 16, 2 PM. Auxiliary National Make a Difference Day Saturday, Oct. 23, 6 PM. Family Dinner Sunday, Oct. 24, 4-6 PM. Orange Grove Halloween Party Thursday, Oct. 28, 5 PM. Auxiliary Halloween Party for East Ridge Lifecare Sunday, Oct. 31, 2 PM. |
DANCE NIGHTS
County Line Band on Friday’s 9 PM to 1 AM; Saturdays, 9 PM to 1 AM.
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or 
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