TOP PHOTO: H.R. Douglas (left) and Jerry Broyles display the a beautiful hand stitched quilt that was auctioned.

Ed Housley, president of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148, holds the plaque detailing the chapter’s “Membership Growth” award.

By Charlie Hutson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – On July 6, 2022, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148 started with 15 members at its first meeting. On Thursday evening, July 6, 2023, the group celebrated its first anniversary. See a related story HERE.

Col. Marvin Bolinger announced that every member would receive a Challenge Coin.
A closer look at the Challenge Coin.

The anniversary was celebrated at the La Follette Methodist Church with a full-course meal served by the chapter’s official caterer, Classy Threads and Catering. The cake was a creation by C & C Cakes and Creations.

Chapter President Ed Housley announced that Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148 won the membership growth award. Chapter 1148 has 83 members, Tennessee’s fastest growing chapter.

The anniversary was celebrated at the La Follette Methodist Church with a full-course meal served by the chapter’s official caterer, Classy Threads and Catering.

Colby and Kim Byrge with Byrge Screen Printing and Shane Prater, Campbell County Veterans Services Director, were presented with the Meritorious Service Ribbon for their help with the 100 hero banners that line streets in La Follette. Another part of the one year anniversary is that each member received a Challenge Coin.

This beautiful hand stitched quilt that was auctioned.

Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148 is raising money to help a veterans widow. This is part of the chapter’s mission, and is its duty to help.

High bid winner for the quilt Ronnie Wright is with the auctioneer for the evening, Sheri Stout Powell.

The final event of the evening was an auction for a hand stitched quilt. The quilt was donated to Chapter 1148. Sheri Stout Powell was the auctioneer, and Ronnie Wright was the winning bidder.

The handsome, delicious cake was a creation by C & C Cakes and Creations.

The next meeting for Chapter 1148 is Thu., Aug. 3, 9am, at Deerfield Airport hanger. Breakfast will be served. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/10/2023-6AM)

One Reply to “Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148 celebrates its first year”

  1. Although Chapter 1148 of the Vietnam Veterans of America has had impressive growth, we have only scratched the surface of the number of eligible Vietnam Era veterans in Campbell County. Its not just for those who served in country, its for those who served between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975. Our founding principles are “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” Life time membership is $50. If interested please contact Ed Housley at 423-489-2792 or pickup and application at the Veteran’s office on E. Central.

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