The Flag
February 2000

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

If your browser will not recognize the graphics, you can reach them on our website:
www.ipspress.com/vfw4848

Post 4848 has been honored with a citation from the National Commander for "outstanding service and dedication." Commander Bill Tickle received the award from Commander-in-Chief John W. Smart.

The award came following his visit to the post as part of his Tennessee tour.

"I’m very proud of this honor," Post 4848 Commander Bill Tickle said. "It’s a great honor for our post."

The letter from Commander Smart accompanying the citation said, in part, ". . . my personal thanks to you, the ladies auxiliary ad the members of VFW Post No. 4848 for the generosity and gracious hospitality . . . Commander, you can be proud."

The citation was in "recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the aims and ideals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

"The Commander-in-Chief on the memorable occasion of his official visit extends best wishes for continued success in every program of the Veterans of Foreign Wars."

Commander Tickle planned to read the citation to the membership in the February meeting.

Orange Grobe dance set for Feb. 10

The members of Post 4848 are looking forward to the annual Valentine’s Day dance for Orange Grove residents as they are. And there will be nearly 1,000 hot dogs waiting for them.

The event is planned for Thursday, Feb. 10, from 5 to 7 PM. The post also sponsors a dance for Halloween. Commander Bill Tickle said all members should come and see how much fun everyone has.

Cooties back from state convention
with plans for new election Feb. 13

Cootie members of Pup Tent 21 at VFW Post 4848 came back from the Jan. 23 state meeting at Smyrna and began plans for the election of officers set for the Feb. 13 regular meeting.. Installation will be at the March meeting

Seam Squirrel Bill Bordwine said everyone had a great time at the meeting. Bea Cook is president of the auxiliary. Jack Thomas is district commander of the Cooties and presided over the Smyrna meeting.

"We had a great time," Bill said, "and Bea and I thank everyone for participating."

Next COA meeting will be in May at Lawrenceburg when new state officers will be elected. The date is to be announced.

Trustee's vacancy to be filled at meet

A vacancy left by the death of Paul Sorrick as an officer of the VFW will be filled in February.

He was a trustee. Commander Bill Tickle announced at the January membership meeting that nomination and election will be held at the meeting Thursday, Feb. 6

Goblins gobble hot dogs at post

David Wilson, Sr. Vice Commander and membership chairman, is proud Post 4848 is within 76 members of reaching the goal.

"It’s the first time we’ve made our quota in a long time," he exclaimed. "We’re going to do it."

He thanked members for helping with renewals and recruiting new members. And he urged a little more work to "go over the top."

Ladies Auxiliary sees 10th birthday with plans for celebration at post

The tenth anniversary of Post 4848’s Ladies Auxiliary will be observed in March.

Auxiliary President Gail Anderson said the observance will be at a special celebration Sunday, Mar. 12, at 2 PM. She urged all members to attend.

"Plans for the event will be made at the Feb. 3 auxiliary membership meeting," she said. "I hope we will have a great turnout to get everyone involved in this."

The president said she was also excited over a special family dinner set for Sunday, Feb. 27, at 4 PM. It will be an opportunity to honor grandparents.

Special games and other activities will be held that afternoon. A prize of $25 will be awarded the member who brings the most family members.

"I hope to see everyone there," she stated.

And she reminded members that dues for the year 2000 are past due. She would like to see all auxiliary members to see Anna Kizer for renewal if they hasn’t already taken care of it.

Delores Roy was the winner of the Lifetime Membership prize.

Members wanted to offer expertise in post functions

"We have members out there with all kinds of expertise," Tom (Peanut) Stanfield asserted. "There are so many things they could volunteer to do and take part in Post 4848 activities."

He urged members to contact the post and "get involved."

Emphasizing that there are always many areas for improvement, he said they would enjoy taking part and be proud of the features they can offer.

'Youth'

The man from Post 4848 who found the "fountain of youth" has been ill. But everyone is betting Ted Bedoit will be up and active again.

No one ever believes he is his real age. He will always be young to friends.

Comment . . . pete chaney

War is hell, according to William T. Sherman. He knew. So do all those before and since him. It was rough to those left home, to those in the military behind the lines and especially to the man on the frontline who might wonder sometime why he’s there with someone shooting at him.

In the past 100 years, America has been in several wars and some that were war but not called that. Whether the fighting was on shore of Omaha Beach or the sands of Kuwait, it was hell on the frontline.

A lot of wars are popular before they start. As they drag on and the body count of returned dead rises, they lose popularity, maybe face open opposition. Only in World War II was their near unanimous support from beginning to end. And then they forget. The men who came home from France after WWI were quickly ignored and forgotten. When they came back from Korea, people wanted to know what it was about.

Vietnam divided the nation as never before. Returning heroes were shown contempt as if they had a choice.

Those of an older generation of veterans are proud Vietnam veterans are finally getting the respect and honor they deserve. They waited long enough and endured enough.

Now, we need to remember that all veterans did their duty. It didn’t matter what the war—or "police action"—those who went and served honorably are heroes, too. They earned their recognition.

Notes . . .

Post 4848 Calendar  February

E-Board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 1, 6:30 PM.

Membership meeting Thursday, Feb. 3, 7 PM, with food and refreshments to follow.

Ladies Auxiliary meeting Thursday, Feb. 3, 7 PM.

POW-WOW at Nashville beginning Friday, Feb. 11.

MOC meeting Sunday, Feb. 13, 6 PM.

MOCA meeting Sunday, Feb. 13, 6 PM.

Post Monthly Family Dinner Sunday, Feb. 27, 4-6 PM.