At the March meeting, Union County Commission unanimously approved a budget amendment to allow the county to pay $45,000 toward the match for two Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grants.

World War One had far-reaching impacts on American society and its citizens. Union County, Tennessee, was not excluded from these impacts. As we celebrate Veterans Day, we should all take time to remember those brave men who fought to "make the world safe for democracy," but also remember the citizens who suffered, worried and rationed to support the war effort.

There are many examples of such sacrifice. But, there are also examples of the joy these citizens felt when loved ones returned from the far-off battlefields of Europe.

Union County veterans and families should be proud of the newly refurbished Veteran’s Memorial Wall located at Wilson Park. Beginning early summer 2019, changes went underway. Meeting the goal of completion for fall 2019, the wall is now complete with beautiful updates.

Union County Business & Professional Association awarded scholarships to three Union County High School Graduates in 2019. Recipients spoke at the BPA June meeting and thanked the membership for their scholarships. Ethan Dyer received the Service Scholarship for performing over 200 hours of volunteer time to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and another 100 hours at Milan Baptist Church and as a coach for Union County Youth Basketball. He will attend Lincoln Memorial University and plans to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business.

For nearly 20 years now, Union County High School has taken time each Veterans Day to welcome and honor Union County's veterans with a program prepared, produced and performed by the students themselves with coordination from Union County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk Barbara Williams.

Williams is slow to take credit for the program, but guest speaker retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Dooley Buckner recognized her from the podium, saying, "She has worked tirelessly for almost 20 years to coordinate this event for the students, the veterans and the community."

Every Veteran deserves being honored for their service, some paid the ultimate price, all have served granting us the privilege of living in the greatest country on earth. We are forever indebted to them for their service.

With World War II raging, Allen Francis Wolfenbarger was inducted into the United States Army on November 7, 1942, at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Allen was assigned to the 60th Infantry, 9th Division, 2nd Platoon. After one week he was transferred to Fort Hancock, New Jersey, for three months basic training. Upon completion of basic training he was transferred to Fort Meade, Maryland, and later departed New York Harbor on the Luxury Liner, The Queen Mary. This ship had been converted to a troop transport ship. After 16 rough days at sea he arrived in Europe.