July 19, 2017 Knoxville, Tennessee
July 19th was a milestone for the Knoxville Regional Veterans Mental Health Council, Vet to Vet TN, LPG and its members. 5 years ago, Senators Corker & Alexander and US Congressman Jimmy Duncan hosted a veterans advocacy event, “Rally Point”, at the Jacob Building with approximately 40-50 veteran advocate vendors. During that event is where Freddie Owens and Ed Junod were looking help with VA services. The council, Vet to Vet Tennessee nor the Legacy Peer Support Group existed at that time. The event marked the beginning of the three affiliates. Freddie Owens is now Vet to Vet Tennessee President and Co-Chairman of the Council and Ed Junod is serving a Council Chairman and Treasurer of Vet to Vet Tennessee
Yesterday’s event hosted by Senator Corker et al, “Joint Operation”, had 82 vendors and almost 1,000 visitors; the Council and Vet to Vet Tennessee were one of the vendors. Almost all of the vendors present where now associates or partners of the Council and/or Vet Vet Tennessee. We are blessed with all of the support we have received in the past five years.
Freddie was unable to attend the event due to agent orange related conditions, however, the team (Council members Don Davis, Ed Junod, George Howell, Jesse Rivera, Randall Scott and Sheryn Davis and new V2VT member Ron Hutson) attended on Freddie’s behalf.
Click here to view the Vietnam War Commemoration photos taken by Vet to Vet Tennessee photographer Don Davis. Presentation presented by Jesse Rivera and Ron Huston.
KNOXVILLE (WATE) – It’s often said there isn’t enough done for those who have served our country and that is why Joint Operation – a free event aimed at providing veterans and their families with a one-stop shop to access local resources and services – drew hundreds to Chilhowee Park.
“The defense of this nation depends upon those who serve and those who support that service,” said veteran John Dyess.
The Jacob Building was packed with dozens of services, everything from a simple thank you for your service and a firm shake, to service dogs, VA claim assistance, employment, mental health, housing, and the list goes on.
John Dyess is a 30-year veteran himself who tended one of Wednesday’s service tables.
“I say it was a privilege,” says Dyess. “Every day I got to be around heroes, people who’ve bled, suffered and given up a lot for this country.”
Dyess now works to promote and encourage employers to recognize and support the members of their work force who’ve served.
“We kind of call them twice the citizen because they serve in their workforce and when that’s said, they put on the nation’s uniform and participate in the active defense of the United States,” Dyess said. Going on to say there are 30,000 reservists and National Guardsmen on active duty right now, while they carry out their mission, Joint Operation is working to gather a system of support they can come home to.
“It’s to provide service to our veterans,” said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett. “You know they provide everything for us. One hundred percent of our freedom is due to the men and women who wear our country’s uniform and I think in government, we’ve done a pretty poor job of providing them services.”
Burchett says the cause is simple. We have to take care of our own and veterans are our own.
If you’re a veteran, or you have a loved one who is and they missed today’s Joint Operation event, many of the same services are provided through the William C Tallent VA Knoxville Outpatient Clinic on 8033 Ray Mears Blvd, Knoxville, TN. Monday through Friday (865) 545-4592
