Dinners for First Responders, police, sheriff deputies, firefighters and EMTs have been held at the American Legion New Liberty Post Hall to thank them for all that they do for this county. The training that first responders go through and the commitment they must have are remarkable. Disaster relief is also a calling of New Liberty Post 212. Annually, they take clothing to homeless veterans. Initially, they traveled to the VA Mountain Home Hospital in Johnson City. But now they are taking clothing to the Ben Atchley VA Nursing Home in Knoxville. The New Legion Liberty Post sent money to KY after the floods and trailer loads of clothes after the tornado there. Clothing was also taken to Waverly TN where the deadliest TN flood in one day struck in August 2021, washing much of that town away and killing 22 citizens. There have been many other disasters that these veterans have responded to with support of some kind. Have we supported them?

Chaplin Arnold Smallin (Army) is the chaplin for both New Liberty Post 212 and the Honor Guard. He needs 12 veterans for an Honor Guard to escort a veteran to his/her final resting place. It is getting increasingly difficult to find 12 volunteers among the vets, especially since many of them are older and unable to participate. New Liberty Post 212 provided the major fundraising for the completion of our Veteran’s Memorial. It is a stunning monument to those in Union County who served bravely and many who gave all. It is a beautiful monument and peaceful setting. But it is, unfortunately, experiencing water damage from improper drainage and desperately needs someone to repair it.

I asked these veterans what service(s) they wish they could provide and immediately Chaplin Arnold Smallin said “a crisis line” - an opinion quickly confirmed by Commander White and Second Vice Commander Stanley. Many of the American Legion posts do offer this for service local service men and women or veterans who are having a hard time and need assistance or need to speak to someone. There is no quick way to reach someone locally when in any sort of crisis. There is a National Crisis Line available (1-800-273-8255 (press 1 after dialing); or text 838255; or online chat at www.veteranscrisisline.net). You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to call. One of the most frightening statistics is that every day in the United States 22 veterans commits suicide. Every day. And there are certainly other stressors and issues that often need someone to help. The members of New Liberty Post 212 feel that we need a local response team to give help quickly and efficiently. And they would like to spearhead that.

It was appalling to read in 2014 that our veterans were being badly treated in the United States VA medical system. Wait times to be seen by a physician or to be scheduled for necessary surgery were often a year or longer. Many veterans were dying while trying to get seen by physicians or receive life-saving treatment or surgery in the VA system. I wondered if this had gotten any better and was assured that things do seem to be improving. The Quillen Department of Veterans Affair Medical Center is the VA hospital in Johnson City. And the VA Clinic on Ray Mears Blvd in Knoxville includes outpatient healthcare, x-rays, dental, hearing and eye exams. But now, there are also Community-Based Outpatient services to make healthcare more accessible and closer to veteran’s homes. Veterans can request being seen at a more convenient location if they live too far to use the VA facilities.

My last question to these former members of the Armed Forces was what do they would they like their fellow citizens of Union County to know about New Liberty Post 212? And all three men replied in unison “That we are here for the veterans, veteran’s families and the community”. I could not be prouder.

To help these folks meet their commitments, you can volunteer your time to assist with repairs or events, you can send welcomed donations to POB 99 Maynardville 37807 and, if you are an honorably discharged veteran, please attend a meeting on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 pm at the New Liberty Post 212 Hall at 140 Veterans St.

Please, do not forget our vets!