American Legion State Commander Coming to Cookeville
New American Legion State Commander Todd McKinley will stop in Cookeville Thursday night as part as the Department Commander’s Tour. McKinley said the tour allows him to visit posts in all ten districts. The intent of the tour is for McKinley to lay out his vision and solicit support from American Legion members. McKinley said […]
New Veterans Organization Team RWB Hosting Event
A new organization founded by veterans is hosting it’s first annual Eaglepalooza on Saturday to help local veterans build community. Chapter Captain Anna Hummel, a veteran, said Team RWB was founded to help veterans regain their sense of belonging and community that may have been lost while transitioning back to civilian life. Hummel said Eaglepalooza […]
Upper Cumberland Re-Applying For Veterans Cemetery
The Upper Cumberland is once again applying for federal funding for a veterans cemetery. Donna Fare chairs the Upper Cumberland Veterans Cemetery Association. She said funding was denied in the past due, in part, to poor record of the area’s veteran population. Fare said veterans should register with their county veterans service officer to improve […]
Run For The Wall Returns To Cookeville Sunday
The Run For The Wall event returns to Cookeville Sunday afternoon with 320 veterans riding motorcycles into town. Director of Tourism Shan Stout said the bikers ride from California to Washington, D.C. to pay respect for all veterans, especially POWs and those killed in action. Stout said citizens are encouraged to line South Jefferson Avenue […]
Creative Arts For Veterans Arrives In Cookeville
Military veterans in Cookeville can submit work to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival through a new, local creative arts chapter. Veteran and Retired Author John Koelsch said he brought the idea to the city last year after creating a similar chapter in Salem, Virginia 14 years ago. He said veterans will be able to […]
Homeless Veterans License Plate Program Needs Your Help
A specialty veterans license plate program designed to fund transitional housing for homeless veterans is falling short of its goal and running out of time. Cookeville native and U.S. Marine Veteran Patrick McClellan said the program requires 1,000 plates be preordered by June 20 for production and distribution of the plates to begin. He said […]
Spencer Housing For Homeless Vets Nearing Completion
Four transitional veteran housing units in Van Buren County are expected to be ready by the end of July. American Legion Post 207 Commander Hansel Moore said the four concrete structures are in place with plumbing installed. He said once electricity is hooked up, interior work will finish up and homeless veterans will be moved […]
Group Searching For Venue For Veterans Vendor Fair
Finding a venue and nailing down a date are the only remaining steps in Operation United Hope green lighting its second annual Veterans Vendor Fair. Operation United Hope President Winn Koehler said renting out an expensive space forces the organization to charge veterans to participate, which many struggle to afford. She said the goal is […]
VA Considering Six Bids For Clinic At Old Putnam County Fairgrounds
Six developers have submitted bids to build a new VA Clinic on the old Putnam County Fairgrounds property. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said he expects the Veterans Administration to select the winning bidder by April or May. The VA could choose the fairgrounds property or other land in Cookeville. “That’s one of the top […]
Crossville’s Week-Long Display Honoring Veterans Underway
Crossville’s second annual Field of Honor display continues all week to pay respect to Cumberland County veterans. The display will be up through Veteran’s Day. It features a field of 700 flags, each one purchased by someone in the area and dedicated to an American veteran. Organizing Committee Chair Jean Smith said it is an […]
