EXCOM Meeting at The Neighborhood
TELLICO VILLAGE VFW MEETS VETS AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
On Thursday, November 10th, the Tellico Village VFW Post 12135 held their monthly EXCOM (Executive Officers Committee) meeting at The Neighborhood Assisted Living Center in Tellico Village. The business meeting, held monthly at the Tellico Village Yacht Club, was moved to The Neighborhood to meet and honor the U.S. Service Veterans that reside there.
Pictured front row left to right are veterans Lester Ward, Ken Henderson, Mike Gorman, Don Whiteman, and Russell Connors. Rear row, VFW Post 12135 members Larry Schaefer, Richard Norman, Bob Barber, and J.J. Jorgensen. Not pictured, but attending, Randy Leyshon and Jeff Corthell.
Ken Henderson is a US Army Veteran of World War II. Ken fought in Europe for three years, including the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Ken was the recipient of multiple Purple Heart Awards having been wounded seven times during those three years. After the war Ken began a 30 year career with GM in Flint, MI.
Russell Connors was reluctant to talk too much about his war experience. Russell served on a US Navy destroyer ship in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns from 1943 to 1946. Russell is originally from the Boston area and is a retired engineer.
Don Whiteman was eighteen years old when he was dispatched to the US Army Signal Service in Japan. He was attached to General MacArthur’s Headquarters during the Occupation. Don was a photographer, earning the rank of SGT from 1946 to 1947 and worked as the photographer at the War Crimes Trials. Don produced several historic photos including those of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the war, Don, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, began a lifelong career with Midland-Ross Corporation. His company moved him around the country and he eventually landed in Tellico Village.
Lester Ward is a US Army Veteran. He was stationed for two years at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Lester was an acting SGT responsible for Advanced Group Training, specifically Bridge Control. Lester said the training was to take control of a bridge, protect it and prevent destruction of the bridge. After his military service, Lester was the owner of a NAPA Auto Parts store in Pinckney, MI. He first retired to Fairfield Glade in Crossville for eleven years before moving to The Neighborhood in Tellico Village.
Mike Gorman is a US Army veteran and served from 1944 to 1946. He had to leave the meeting early.
The Officers of Post 12135, all Vietnam Veterans, were very honored to meet and talk with these great Veterans who preceded them; we hope to have some additional events with them as our Post grows. The Post meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Tellico Village Yacht Club. For information about joining the Post call JJ Jorgensen 865-458-2792 or email adjutant@tellicovillagevfwpost.org.
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