JAMES WOOD
Staff Writer
Estimates place the number of retired military veterans in Bedford County at over 2,700 from all branches of the military.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5019 hosted several events in the last week that were open to the public that allowed veterans and non-veterans to come together to share a breakfast meal and enjoy a music night.
The breakfast hosted at the VFW was well attended throughout the morning, with guests including the Shelbyville Fire Department, Chief Deputy Nikia Elliott and Detective Lt. John Sweeney among many others coming to support the organization.
Recent renovations and additions to the building will now allow the VFW to facilitate new kinds of events that will help the VFW become a center of community activity
and fellowship.
Tommie Boleyn, the Commander of Post 5019 and retired infantryman in the Marine Corps and Tennessee National Guard, spoke during the breakfast on the values and goals of this VFW Post.
“I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from high school in 1983 and served on active duty as an infantryman until 1996,” Boleyn said, “After leaving the Marine Corps, I moved to Tennessee with my wife and began a career in law enforcement.”
One of Boleyn’s primary concerns were the way that some aspects of culture have alienated military veterans from
everybody else in day-to-day life.
“Unfortunately, the media and entertainment industries often portray veterans—especially combat veterans—as broken or unable to adjust to civilian life,” Boleyn continued, “Nothing could be farther from the truth.”
Boleyn then highlighted the intentions of Post 5019 as being a part of the community.
“Our veterans’ organizations are a wonderful place to get to know us. Everything we do is open to the public. You do not have to be a veteran to attend our monthly community breakfast or enjoy the music at our monthly music night.” Boleyn stated.
In addition to getting to know the veterans of Bedford County, he mentioned the importance of the environment of the events being inviting to everyone and friendly to families. He specified that the VFW Post will not be like a “bar atmosphere.”
He listed the objectives of the organization here in the county as well:
- Foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts.
- Serve our veterans, the military, and our communities.
- Advocate on behalf of all veterans.
The overall vision statement of the VFW is to:
- Ensure that veterans are respected for their service.
- Ensure that veterans receive their earned benefits and are supported in accessing resources as needed.
- Ensure that veterans are recognized for the sacrifices they and their families have made on behalf of this great country.
- Educate our community about the value veterans bring through real experience and practical leadership.
The VFW hosts the breakfast with the public on the 2nd Saturday of each month, with a Live Music night on the 3rd Saturday. Event rentals have also been opened up to the public, now with the new renovations inside the building.
VFW Post 5019 Commander Tommie Boleyn