News
Remembering Those who Served: Veterans Day
November 11, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Members of a grateful community gathered Monday morning at the county complex to pay tribute to the extraordinary individuals who have worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces.
Veterans’ Day is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a solemn promise to remember.
The observance was coordinated by the American Legion Post #122 and began with patriotic music by Susan Hinton on the keyboard and performances by the DCHS Chorus under the direction of Josh Gulley and the DCHS Band directed by Max Patterson with the presentation of colors and a prayer by local minister Larry Green. A music video of the song “Unsung Heroes” by Dailey and Vincent was also shown.
Danny Pan, 4th District Commander and member of the American Legion Upper Cumberland Post#135 was the featured speaker. Pan spoke of his military background and then gave a history of Veteran’s Day with the support of the American Legion.
“World War I was so horrific that many referred to it as the war to end all wars. Unfortunately, that optimism was short lived. A generation later the second world war would follow which was even deadlier than the first. Even so the American Legion never wavered on the significance of the 1918 armistice. The nation’s largest veterans’ organization had been advocating for Armistice Day to be observed since 1920”, said Pan
“In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War the American Legion led an all-Veterans Day celebration which was seen as the spark that led the movement for November 11 to be a date to honor every American since the Revolutionary War. The advocacy paid off. On October 8, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day,” Pan continued.
“The love for this country is a common thread and bonds veterans from the earliest day of our nation’s founding to those serving today. All Americans should remember those who have made our freedom possible. It is up to us to ensure that every veteran believes that his or her service in this country is respected by their fellow Americans. The easiest and simplest way is to say thank you for your service to our country”
“Winston Churchill spoke at the Royal Air Force when he delivered the famous line “never so much owed by so many to so few”. The same could be said of American veterans in 2024. In 1980 about 18% of US adults were veterans. Today it is approximately 5%. Active-duty service members comprise less than one half of one percent of the US population. All Americans benefit from this small and distinguished group of volunteers who currently comprise the US Armed Forces. On this Veterans Day we honor not an Armistice but the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the greatest military the world has ever known. Our message to American veterans past and present is simple. We will never forget you,” said Pan.
Pan served in the Navy from 1987 to 1992 and was deployed to Panama during Operation Just Cause and Desert Shield/Storm. After being discharged from the Navy, Pan benefited from the GI Bill and received a degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Diego State University. Upon graduation, Pan embarked on a 24-year career in law enforcement where he served in a variety of positions including the Gang Unit, Violent Crime Unit, Anti-Terrorism, Rapid Response Team, among other assignments. He retired in 2018.
Ronnie Redmon, Adjutant of the American Legion Post #122 presided over the program and welcomed the guests while Judy Redmon of the Ladies Auxiliary introduced Pan, the guest speaker.
Melissa Crouch of Gentiva Hospice paid tribute to veterans in attendance and issued pins to them which were presented by members of the DCHS band and Chorus. Couch also honored Gold Star Mothers.
After the program veterans boarded a school bus which was escorted from the county complex to the courthouse by the local law enforcement and fire departments. At the site of the veteran’s memorial monument on the south side of the courthouse, local veterans and others placed a wreath in tribute. A luncheon followed back at the county complex for veteran, their spouses, and program participants.
Statewide muzzleloader/archery season for deer now open
November 11, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The 2024 statewide muzzleloader/archery season for deer opened in Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 9 and continues through Friday, Nov. 22 in all six of Tennessee’s deer hunting units. Muzzleloader season traditionally opens the third Saturday before Thanksgiving.
The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is two. In Units 1, 2, and 3 there is an antlerless bag limit of three per day, and a limit of two antlerless for this season in Units 4, 5, and 6. The bag limit may only be exceeded as part of the Earn-A-Buck program or as replacement buck in a CWD positive county.
During season setting, new hunting units were implemented for this season. Hunters should refer to the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Guide for specific information about their hunting unit.
Tennessee’s statewide gun season for deer opens the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which falls on Nov. 23. The season for gun/muzzleloader/archery will run through Jan. 5, 2025. Archery equipment is legal during muzzleloader and gun seasons. Muzzleloaders are legal during gun season.
How to avoid Medicare Open Enrollment scams
November 11, 2024
By:
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is underway. If you have Medicare, October 15 – December 7 is when you can make changes to your Medicare health and Part D prescription drug plans. You’ll probably see ads from plans by mail, email, phone, and on TV. You might hear from scammers, too — but how will you know?
Medicare scammers often look official. They pretend to be from or connected to Medicare, or to a business you know. Their goal? Steal your information. To avoid the scammers:
•Never give personal information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Even if the request seems to come from Medicare. They might ask for things like your Medicare, Social Security, or financial account numbers. But Medicare doesn’t call people unexpectedly and ask for your Medicare number or financial information. They won’t call you to sell insurance or health care products. Not sure that call is legitimate? Hang up and call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
•Don’t respond to anyone who seems to be from Medicare and asks for your personal info. They might reach out by phone, mail, email, social media message, or text. They might include the Medicare name. They might look or seem government-y. But as soon as they ask for your Medicare, Social Security, or financial account numbers, you know it’s a scam. The real Medicare doesn’t ask for that kind of information. Also, don’t click on links, open any attachments, or call any numbers if you get those messages. They’re probably phishing for your personal or financial information. Throw away the mail, delete the messages, or get off the phone.
Get help comparing Medicare costs, coverage, and plans from the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) in all U.S. states and territories. To report someone pretending to be from Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE, then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
