Veterans work to continue tradition of service

  • Steve Strickland, left, was one of the many veterans on hand as a large crowd gathered for the membership drive and open house at the Veterans Conference Center.
    Steve Strickland, left, was one of the many veterans on hand as a large crowd gathered for the membership drive and open house at the Veterans Conference Center.
  • American Legion Auxiliary member Deb Calloway, third from left, welcomed fellow Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge members, from left, Robin and Jessie Pinson and Mike Guerra to the membership drive and open house at the Veterans Conference Center.
    American Legion Auxiliary member Deb Calloway, third from left, welcomed fellow Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge members, from left, Robin and Jessie Pinson and Mike Guerra to the membership drive and open house at the Veterans Conference Center.
  • Discussing efforts to increase membership in local veterans organizations are, from left, Deb Calloway of the American Legion Auxiliary, Jim Callender of the American Legion, and Marine Corps League Detachment members Joel Warner, Dale Greene, Dick Evelyn and Ron Wikander.
    Discussing efforts to increase membership in local veterans organizations are, from left, Deb Calloway of the American Legion Auxiliary, Jim Callender of the American Legion, and Marine Corps League Detachment members Joel Warner, Dale Greene, Dick Evelyn and Ron Wikander.
  • Jim Callender stayed busy calling out door prize numbers.
    Jim Callender stayed busy calling out door prize numbers.
  • Paul Hunter, seated in the photo at left, presented Tommy Lee with a rocking chair donated by Ingles as his door prize for winning one of several drawings at the membership drive hosted by local veterans organization.
    Paul Hunter, seated in the photo at left, presented Tommy Lee with a rocking chair donated by Ingles as his door prize for winning one of several drawings at the membership drive hosted by local veterans organization.

    Representatives of the various veterans organizations in Fannin County gathered for a membership drive and open house at the Veterans Conference Center  in Blue Ridge Saturday, July 29.

    The event featured free hotdogs, watermelon, drinks and door prizes as the groups sought to attract new members to continue their missions of serving the public and fellow veterans.

    Door prize winners included Mary Renea Allen, Tammy Drake, Hanna Corley, Elaine Owen, Dale Greene, Tommy Lee, Tony McMurray, “Chief” Gerald McMillan who donated his prize back, Chas Auten, Kenny Holland and Tony Romano.

    Veterans expressed appreciation to the sponsors who donated prizes; Ingles, Circuit World, Bee Hive in Mineral Bluff, Blue Ridge Nutrition, Elmanzanillo, Tractor Supply, Jackson Wholesale and Folger Gas.

    Taking part were the DAV, American Legion and Auxiliary, Marine Corps League, North Georgia Honor Guard, and VFW.