When we asked for volunteers to support the veterans, people from all over Union County raised their hands and the Union County Veterans Volunteers was formed. They held their first organizational meeting on February 5th. Everyone who attended had ideas and enthusiasm for helping and volunteering. The first item of business was to organize free tasty meals for the American Legion Post 212 before their monthly meetings on the first Monday of every month. Volunteer cooks have already signed up to do this for every month up to and including the July meeting! Each meal will be different, appetizing and include desserts! Veterans are encouraged to take leftovers home for another meal.

Dinner served on February 5th was a roaring success. Over 16 lbs of smoked pork butt and sausages disappeared in an evening. And a record number of Veterans were there to eat it all. Volunteers and Veterans enjoyed the fellowship and meeting each other.

Organizers Debbie Boeck and Jill Dyer met with the American Legion members at their 7:00 meeting to try to identify any other services our Veterans could use. Included in the discussion was to bring meals or run errands for Veterans who are ill or unable to get out. Kevin Manley, the new Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for Union County, will work to coordinate the Veterans Volunteers with the Veterans. He has committed to provide transportation to any Vet who could use help getting to appointments, going shopping or to meet any other needs they may have. Kevin can be reached at 865-661-7243 or
Kevin.Manley@UnionCountyTN.com and he encourages all Veterans to call – even just to introduce themselves and say hello! He would like to chat with every Veteran. To volunteer to support Union County Veterans, contact Debbie Boeck at 954-295-3007 or BoeckDebbie@gmail.com

For too long, our servicemen and women have been pretty much on their own. Now they have a very active VSO and support of a volunteer group who appreciate their service and want to help.