River City Chapter DAR, Millington, TN

West Tennessee State Veteran Cemetery will honor SSG John Gregory Hasie, on December 20th @ 11:00 AM. "SSG John Gregory Hasie served in the US Army from 01/19/1979 till 08/08/1984 and received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NCO professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Expert (Rifle & Pistol)." Everyone who can attend is encouraged to come out and help honor this Veteran by claiming him as our own. Thank you in advance for your support.

Set forth below is a message WTVCSC received regarding the Veterans' upcoming funeral services at the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery:

West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery is located at 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Germantown, TN - about one mile north of Bill Morris Parkway aka HWY 385 & Forest Hill Irene Road.

For those unfamiliar with the phrase, please see explanation below and references.

“Unclaimed Veteran remains” is defined as the remains of a Veteran who dies with no next of kin or other person to claim their remains, and who did not have sufficient resources available to cover burial and funeral expenses.

Having been out preparing for, and then fighting in the Battle of White Marsh, Surgeon Albigence Waldo kept up his journal. He would write, “Were Soldiers to have plenty of Food & Rum, I believe they would Storm Tophet…Pain succeeds Pleasure, & Pleasure succeeds Pain." As the days went on, the army slowly moved towards Valley Forge; Dr. Waldo wrote of the hardships of the life in the army. I wanted to share with you his comments as we, this Christmas season, enjoy the benefits that these individuals suffered for in 1777.

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December 8. - All at our Several Posts. Provisions & Whiskey very scarce. Were Soldiers to have plenty of Food & Rum, I believe they would Storm Tophet. Our Lines were on a long high hill extending about three Miles - all Man'd. An Abettes in front from Right to Left - another in the rear of the Left, with a Cross Abettee near the Extremety.

Five men from each Regt in Varnum's & Huntington's Brigades as Volunteers join'd Morgan's Rifle Men to Harrass the Enemy, and excite an Attack. Some Regt B were ordered to march out if an Attack should begin in earnest. This Afternoon a small Skirmish happen'd near the Enemies lines against our left. Towards Night the Enemy fired some Cannon against our Right & 2 against our left. Their horse appear'd to be busily moving. In the Evening there were but two spots of fires in the Enemies Camp. One against our Park (or main center); the other against the extremity of our Left, when the evening before they extended from almost our Right to our Left. At 12 o'clock at Night our Regt, with Sixteen more were Ordered to parade immediately before his Excellencies Quarters under Command of Sullivan & Wayne. We were there by One, when Intelligence came that the Enemy had made a precipitate retreat and was safely got into the City. We were all Chagrin'd at this, as we were more willing to Chase them in Rear, than meet such Sulkey Dogs in Front. We were now remandad back with several draughts of Rum in our frozen bellies, which made us so glad we all fell asleep in our open huts, nor experienced the Coldness of the Night 'till we found ourselves much stiffened by it in the Morning.

December 9. We came from within the breastworks, Where we had been coop'd up four tedious Days, with Cloaths & Boots on Night and Day, and resumed our old Hutts East of the Breastwork. The rest of the Army Chiefly had their huts within the Lines. We are insensible what we are capable of enduring till we are put to the test. To endure hardships with a good grace we must allways think of the following Maxim: "Pain succeeds Pleasure, & Pleasure succeeds Pain."

December 14. - Prisoners & Deserters are continually coming in. The Army which has been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered this Campaign. Yet they still show a spirit of Alacrity & Contentment not to be expected from so young Troops. I am Sick – discontented -and out of humour. Poor food - hard lodging - Cold Weather – fatigue - Nasty Cloaths - nasty Cookery - Vomit half my time - smoak'd out of my senses - the Devil's in't - I can't Endure it - Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze - What sweet Felicities have I left at home; A charming Wife - pretty Children - Good Beds - good food – good Cookery - all agreeable – all harmonious. Here all Confusion - smoke & Cold - hunger & filthiness - A pox on my bad luck. There comes a bowl of beef soup - full of burnt leaves and dirt, sickish enough to make a Hector spue - away with it Boys - I'll live like the Chameleon upon Air. Poh ! Poh ! crys Patience within me - you talk like a fool. Your being sick Covers your mind with a Melanchollic Gloom, which makes every thing about you appear gloomy. See the poor Soldier, when in health - with what cheerfulness he meets his foes and encounters every hardship – if barefoot, he labours thro' the Mud & Cold with a Song in his mouth extolling War & Washington - if his food be bad, he eats it notwithstanding with seeming content - blesses God for a good Stomach and Whistles it into digestion. But harkee Patience, a moment - There comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro' his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter'd remains of an only pair of stockings, his Breeches not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his Shirt hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell'd, his face meagre; his whole appearance pictures a person forsaken & discouraged. He comes, and crys with an air of wretchedness & despair, I am Sick, my feet lame, my legs are sore, my body cover'd with this tormenting Itch - my Cloaths are worn out, my Constitution is broken, my former Activity is exhausted by fatigue, hunger & Cold, I fail fast I shall soon be no more! and all the reward I shall get will be - "Poor Will is dead." People who live at home in Luxury and Ease, quietly possessing their habitations, Enjoying their Wives & families in peace, have but a very faint Idea of the unpleasing sensations, and continual Anxiety the Man endures who is in a Camp, and is the husband and parent of an agreeable family. These same People are willing we should suffer every thing for their Benefit & advantage, and yet are the first to Condemn us for not doing more ! !

Valley Forge, 1777-1778. Diary of Surgeon Albigence Waldo, of the Connecticut Line.

Image: World War II propaganda poster, Valley Forge, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

© 2019-2023 Clifford Olsen/250Years America’s Founding

We must keep this promise.

📣Short Notice 100th Birthday Card Mission for WWII Veteran William (Dale) U’Ren was born on 12/27/1923. He served in the US Army in World War 2 from 1943-1946. He was a Private First Class combat infantry man. He took part in the liberation of Paris and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He served as a US Army MP at the end of the war and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Send your cards to arrive on or before 12/27 to:

Dale U'Ren
717 N Wuthering Hills Dr.
Janesville, WI 53546-2104

We have some stiff competition this year!!! Go vote for River City!!!

Millington Christmas Parade 2023

Just in time for Christmas! The Mid South Military Museum Inc. Is going to GIVE AWAY this fun patriot Jeep! Drawing is Dec 22nd Just in time to put under the tree!!! All DONATION goes to support Mid South Military Museum. Tickets can ONLY be picked up at Abandoned Antiques front counter!

Tree at Baker Community Center decorated!

Angel Tree program ongoing at Tennessee State Veterans Home The Tennessee State Veterans Home in Humboldt is asking the community to visit their Angel Tree, to help bring happiness to a veteran this holiday season.

250 Years Ago this broadside (recreation) greeted Boston at first light, calling the people to Faneuil Hall at 9 o'clock in the morning to "make a united and successful resistance" against the now arrived East India Company Tea!

Our Christmas tree at Tipton County Museum. We are the reigning champion from last year. Please visit and vote so we can keep our trophy! Oh, and it’s for a good cause, too!

She's still actively doing community service at 101 years of age! Proves you are never too old.

(NOV 23, 2023) VETERAN OF THE DAY -- Ruth Johnson is young at heart and still very active at 101years of age.

She is a World War II veteran who served three years in the Women’s Army Corps from 1943-46.

“Back then, women could not join the military until they were 21 years old, so I got my college degree first to become a teacher to teach home economics,” she recalled.

Then, at age 21, she joined the Women’s Army Corps and worked taking care of all personnel records. She enjoyed being in the military.

She met her husband while serving, they got married and had a son and a daughter later. Her husband was in the U. S. Coast Guard.

She was stationed outside Jackson, Mississippi, in Flora, Mississippi. Then, she later was based at San Antonio, Texas. Johnson also worked in Kilman, New Jersey, “doing my part while serving in the military,” she said.

“I had a good commander who knew I was doing my job taking care of personnel records,” she said.

After their time in the military, the couple moved to Georgia, where she taught school for many years. She also got her master’s degree in history/social studies and taught sixth and seventh grades.

Her husband passed away in 1950 while they were living in Georgia. She later retired in Georgia from teaching.

Johnson’s children now both live in Florida, one in Tampa and one in Citrus County, so she came here to Citrus County and now resides at Grand Living.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Johnson’s father worked for the state and was transferred to Albany, New York.

While living here in Citrus County, she has participated in Veterans in the Classroom program to speak to local schoolchildren about military service and experiences.

Johnson said she was proud to be part of the Women’s Army Corps to serve her country. Now, she stays active, has a great memory and enjoys her life. Story by Claire Philllips Laxton

“Every Day is Memorial Day”
The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation
Web: www.TGGF.org

River City is a sponsor for West TN Veterans Cemetery. But all the graves need wreaths and sadly, the numbers are nowhere near goal.

Right now, only 3,829 wreaths have been purchased (13.2%) for the cemetery. They still need 25,171 wreaths. WTVC is the busiest veterans cemetery in the state and the third busiest in the nation!

The last day to buy is Giving Tuesday, November 28th.

Check-out the Wreaths Across America Page that I Support! Wreaths Across America ("WAA") coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies every December to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Please check out this page to learn how you can help by sponsoring Veterans Remembrance Wreaths or by joining us on Decembe...

Funeral services held for American Fork Vietnam Veteran who was missing for 50 years Funeral services were held Saturday for an American Fork veteran who died in the Vietnam War and had been missing for 50 years.

This is where part of our Day of Service fundraiser went.

https://abcnews.go.com/WNN/video/helping-kids-cope-maui-104937320?fbclid=IwAR3Nx27-WmNKH6kYDvnI7aef6AdyILaTIZWkIcWvy8rgOm4D0YUlnKw8P8g_aem_AX8t0TAtn2XSPDpWCu78hmyt5GXB2YyACAhtG4a2AwPwKk7IqwfoP0z9_yjqDZKJO9w&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Video Helping kids cope in Maui ABC News’ Danny New spoke with the couple who organized a group helping children affected by the wildfires in Maui.

Each year Veteran Last Patrol collects holiday cards and delivers them to our veterans who are in hospice care. Their goal is to collect 65,000 cards by December 1st. You can help them reach this goal! If you're hosting Thanksgiving events / dinner. Pass cards to your guests (preferably before they're groggy from the turkey), and ask them to write a note to our veterans. The salutation can be Dear Hero or Dear Veteran. Collect the cards, put them all into one box or envelope, and send them off by 12/1 to:

Veteran's Last Patrol
140B Venture Blvd.
Spartanburg SC 29306
Attn: Operation Holiday Salute

For those who are invited to a dinner or event, but don't want to cook or bake something to bring along with you -- or for those who SHOULDN'T cook or bake for safety reasons 👀 ie: Phlash Phelps Phunny Pharm -- ask the host if you can bring cards and spearhead this activity! You will love it, and so will our veterans!!
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Join us at Post 7175 Thursday, Nov. 23 for a feast to remember! Beginning at noon, feel free to join us for great food, football, and camaraderie. 🦃

250 Years Ago: Winter hits Boston early in 1773! Boston Freezes as tempers burn between the Sons of Liberty and the East India Company tea Consignees! The first ice of the year is followed by a half inch of snow.

Post 7175 fam: Let someone else cook dinner… we are! Join us on Monday, Nov. 20 for some authentic Louisiana gumbo, or red beans and rice. Meal begins at 5:00 p.m. for $11 per plate.

See you here! 🥣

Alpha Omega Veterans Services holds ribbon-cutting for veteran housing-focused building The building is said to provide housing for 20 additional veterans.

Chapter members attended and participated in this program yesterday.

Also helping the SAR color guard were two members of the West Tennessee Memorial Squad.

Fallen and living veterans honored at Overton Park More than 40 people attended and paid their respects to both fallen and living war veterans at the Doughboy Statue in Overton Park’s Veterans Plaza.

Be sure to join us at Post 7175 this Veterans Day! 🇺🇸

It's almost that time! Due to weather conditions, the event will be held inside. Parking Attendants will provide directions to all attendees.

Veterans Day 2023 is Saturday, Nov. 11. From free meals to carwashes, hundreds of organizations are showing their appreciation to Veterans across the country. This Veterans Day discounts list will continue to be updated as we learn of more Veterans Day discounts, meals or other resources for Veterans and their families. Offers are subject to change and may not be available in all locations; verify with the offering organization.Check out our list of nationally available Veterans Day discounts, meals and more here: https://news.va.gov/125193/2023-veterans-day-discounts-free-meals/