The fantastic annual Sharps Chapel Fall Festival Scarecrow Competition again asked festival goers to vote for their favorite of the 17 scarecrow entries. Each vote cost $1, and a total of 1008 votes were cast. Many thanks to Amanda Rae Simpson and her crew for organizing the competition and donating all of the money raised to the Union County American Legion New Liberty Post 212.
In the heart of Maynardville, American Legion Post 212 stands as a beacon of remembrance and service, honoring those who have worn the uniform to defend freedom. Among its many traditions, one stands out in solemn reverence—the Empty Chair, a powerful symbol of those who were taken as prisoners of war (POWs) and never received a proper burial. This chair, draped with the unmistakable black POW/MIA cloth, is more than just an object; it is a sacred space that ensures these heroes are never forgotten.
The Customer Appreciation Day at 33 Hardware was a multi-faceted occasion. Owner John Neal arranged for Shaun Abbott, a country and gospel singer from Knoxville, to entertain. Shaun is a popular musician all around Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and at the TN Valley Fair. Car owners were encouraged to bring their vintage, antique or other cars to the Customer Appreciation Day, and about 30 vehicles were on display to look at and admire.
What a fabulous group of people gathered in Wilson Park for the First Annual Veterans Appreciation Family Picnic. So many veterans, families of veterans, and citizens who appreciate what our veterans mean to us showed up for comradery and good food. The barbecue was terrific and plentiful, there were more hot dogs than anyone could eat, the chicken from 33 Diner was, as always, delicious. Everyone who wanted a raffle ticket (including children) had a chance to win one of the fantastic door prizes.
The American Legion Post 212 would like to thank all the many people who stopped long enough at the intersection of Hickory Star Road and Maynardville Hwy on October 5 to plop some money into the buckets held by our Veterans. Many drivers were in a hurry to get to the Heritage Festival in Wilson Park, but still slowed down long enough to make a donation. (Luckily, no Veterans were hit while playing in traffic).
The Union County American Legion has one fundraiser a year to help pay for their many projects, and that fundraiser is coming up on Saturday, October 5, from 8 a.m. until noon. They will be at the intersection of Maynardville Hwy. and Hickory Star Rd. asking for your donation. On your way to the Union County Heritage Festival, grocery shopping or just driving around, please go by this intersection and help our American Legion help our Union County veterans, many of whom are alone and/or incapacitated, and donate what you can to the American Legion Post 212.
The Union County Veterans celebrated Labor Day together with an American cook-out on September 9. Our Veterans and their spouses observed the end of summer by gathering to share the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings. This was complimented with potato salad and baked beans, all courtesy of the Veteran Volunteers,. The meal was topped off with a delicious homemade cobbler. As always, the monthly meal was free to our Veterans to thank them for all that they have done for our country.
It had been a long, hot day. When I showed up at the American Legion Post 212 for their monthly free dinner, I was tired, not particularly hungry and not feeling very sociable. But then I opened the door and the aroma of wonderfully prepared BBQ came drifting out. That changed everything! The food was wonderful. Not only large quantities of pulled pork, but there was chicken, delicious cole slaw, and homemade beans with bacon (yum!). Desserts included cookies and chocolate cake. Margo McCaffery and Debbie Boeck, members of the Union County Veteran Volunteers, prepared this feast.
Delicious food aromas hit you as you walked in the door of the American Legion Hall on June 3. If you thought you weren’t hungry before, the wonderful smells of the Chicken Alfredo dinner immediately changed your mind. And there was so much food – all expertly prepared by the cooks of the Veterans Volunteers. In addition to the huge pan of the Alfredo (see photos), there were pans of Caesar Salad and individual loaves of garlic bread that were baked to perfection.
It was a brilliant day. The sun was shining, the wind gently blowing the flags. Darrell White, Commander of the Union County American Legion New Liberty Post 212, opened this year’s somber Memorial Day Ceremony with a list of names of local veterans who passed on this year and last: William Acuff, US Army; Darrell Ailor, US Marine Corps; Jim Collins, US Army; Jack Myers, US Army; Lloyd Railey, US Army; Hershell Sharp, US Air Force; Junior Smith, US Army; Bob White, US Army; Ivon White, US Marine Corps; and my former neighbor Marshal Wolfenbarger, US Army.