11/18 Fort Campbell Life

A look inside...

Holiday Crafts

Family Thanksgiving Activities

Military Family Appreciation Month

Nashville Predators

Veterans Day Events

Fort Campbell Monument Series

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Editor Sean McCully

Contributors Dave Marshall Hedi Fowler Jennifer Juniper

Publisher Creative ink

Creative Director Sears Hallett

Advertising

Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com

Photography mixthatdrink.com onecreativemommy.com hopestudios.blogspot.com

We’ve allegedly experienced it for more than a month now, but Fall is finally in the air with cooler temperatures and frosty mornings starting the day.

With that in mind, we have brought you some great content to use for planning holidays in 2018.

As the Military Family Appreciation Month, November is definitely the best time to make sure your loved ones at Fort Campbell know just how much they mean to you. Check out page 23 for some of the best ways you can celebrate this month.

There’s no better time than now to start planning for Christmas! Get the family together for some craft time with a collection of holiday Crafts on page 5.

Be sure to check out how Clarksville’s Operation Stand Down non-profit is benefitting local veterans through service on page 16.

Sean McCully, Editor sean@creativeinktn.com

Deposit Photo pg: Cover, 3, 18, 19, 32, 34

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With the holidays on the horizon it is the perfect time for your family to get creative and work together on holiday decorations. There are lots of websites devoted to crafts for parents and kids of all ages. It doesn’t have to be an expensive hassle though, as there are a ton of great resources available to make the most out of some cheap household items to use when crafting decorations for the holidays.

Most likely these will become treasures that you will keep and use always.

We are providing a few ideas for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Pinecone Turkey: This is from Hedi Fowler at http://onecreativemommy.com.

One Creative Mommy is loaded with fun crafts for the whole family.

I hope you’re all enjoying gorgeous Fall weather! The leaves are just beginning to change in our neck of the woods, so it’s time for Fall crafting. I have my kids’ teachers to thank for this adorable turkey craft. The original was created by Boo when she was in kindergarten.

Since all of the feathers have definite color patterns, I’m sure her wise teacher used it as a fun way to practice patterns.

Let the kids make turkeys while you make Thanksgiving dinner!

If you’re wondering why the colors of the “feathers” are nothing like the colors of a real turkey, you have probably never tried to talk a little girl out of using her favorite colors!

It’s definitely a battle I know is absolutely useless.

The colors have actually grown on me. (Who says a turkey can’t dress up like a peacock?)

This craft is perfect for preschool and kindergarten, and kids learning patterns, but I’m a grown up, and I enjoyed it, so your older kids might like it, too. (You’re never too old to string beads, right?)

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Materials: 1 large pinecone • 3 colored pipe cleaners Small scrap of red or brown cardstock or construction paper (4″ x 2″ is a good size to start with) Very small scrap of orange cardstock or construction paper Pony beads in various colors (8-12 for each “feather”) Black sharpie marker • Craft glue or glue gun with hot glue Directions: Cut each pipe cleaner in half.

String 8-12 beads on each pipe cleaner. (This is a great time for little ones to practice patterns.)

Cut a shape for the turkey’s neck and head from the brown or red paper. It should be shaped like a footprint–with the top slightly larger than the bottom.

Fold the orange scrap in half and cut a triangle along the fold for the beak.

(When unfolded, it should be shaped like a kite.)

Draw two eyes on the face and “U” shapes on the neck of the turkey.

Glue on the turkey’s beak.

Bend the pipe cleaners in half (with rounded tops) to create the feathers.

Tuck the pipe cleaner “feathers” into the pinecone and attach with hot glue or craft glue.

(I don’t recommend that children use hot glue on their own. Small children should use craft glue or have an adult glue for them with hot glue.)

Attach the face to the bottom of the pinecone with craft or hot glue.

All done! Easy peasy, right?

Photos and instructions courtesy of http://onecreativemommy.com

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Marshmallow Snowman This is another idea from Hedi Fowler at http://onecreativemommy.com.

If you have the right supplies, you can put this craft together in minutes!

Here’s what you’ll need: “Glue”–White frosting, thickened with powdered sugar • Base–Cookie Body–Large marshmallows • Arms–Pretzel sticks Hat–Peppermint Patty, frosting, and giant Sixlets (found in the baking aisle with the sprinkles) Face and buttons–M&Ms and/or mini chocolate chips Scarf–Pull and Peel Licorice • Optional–Toothpicks Directions: Assemble ingredients.

Fill a plastic bag with frosting and cut off a corner of the bag (the smaller the hole, the smaller the stream of frosting). To pipe frosting, simply squeeze the bag to squirt frosting out of the hole.

Pipe frosting over the bottom of the cookie, and press the cookie onto a plate.

Repeat with both marshmallows. *Optional–poke a toothpick through the marshmallows for added stability. Tie on a scarf. Add the hat, hat ball, eyes, nose and buttons. Slide pretzel stick through the body for arms. Put snowmen in the fridge of freezer while the frosting hardens.

Photos and instructions courtesy of http://onecreativemommy.com

Turkey Pretzel Rods 1 (16 oz.) package chocolate Ritz crackers 1 bag candy corn Pretzel rods Confetti sprinkles, white Edible marker, black Melt chocolate. Cover the Ritz cracker in chocolate, then dip each pretzel rod in the chocolate , let the excess coating drip off, and then carefully press and hold the pretzel rod against the cracker until secure.

Just before the pretzel is completely dry, press one candy corn on the pretzel rod as the nose, holding in place until it’s secured. Press two white confetti sprinkles on the pretzel rod as the eyes and use the edible marker to dot the eyes. Put the completed turkey pretzels in the fridge until the chocolate hardens.

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Pine Cone Snowman Ornament: This is from Jennifer Juniper at http://hopestudios.blogspot.com. She has a ton of craft ideas for both of the holidays and throughout the year.

Supplies pine cone • styrofoam ball • white glitter • twigs Snowtex (I found it near the Plaster of Paris at Michael's) hot glue gun • small beads • toothpick • orange paint Instructions: Hot glue the ball to the top of the pine cone.

I actually poked the tip of the cone right into the ball, then removed, added glue and popped it back on. (**If I did it again, I would insert the hook right into the foam ball at this point and hot glue it in)

Sprinkle the wet Snowtex with glitter (I used Glamour Dust by Deco-Art). If you do this over a paper plate, you can funnel the excess right back into the container, easy peasy.

Slather the ball and upper portion of the cone with Snowtex - be generous! I used a small cookie frosting tool.

Press some beads into the face for the eyes and mouth.

Use the tip of a toothpick, painted orange, for a nose. Stick it right into the foam ball, then hot glue some twigs into the sides for arms.

Try to fill in the area between the ball and the cone to make it look like the snow is dripping down, then hit the tips of the cone’s “petals” all the way down.

Photos and instructions courtesy of http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2011/12/ pine-cone-snowman-ornament.html

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This is another idea from Hedi Fowler at http://onecreativemommy.com.

How do you keep the kids busy while you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner? If it seems like Bingo won’t work because the kids need you to call the game, this game is different! Since the boards come with picture calling cards, even the youngest member of your family (sorry–no babies) can be in charge of the game. All she or he has to do is pick a card and hold it up for the rest of the players to see. It’s easy, and there’s no parent supervision needed.

What a great way to keep the kids busy while they wait for Thanksgiving dinner! I love Bingo!

How to Play Since this game is obviously different than traditional Bingo, here’s how it works: Cut the two pages of calling cards into individual cards and put them into a bag or hat. To play, pull a card out of the hat, and call out what is on the card (or just show the card). Players look for that picture on their card and cover it up. Continue pulling cards from the bag one at a time until someone gets five in a row. (You cannot play blackout because every card has every picture on it.

This game is meant to be played for traditional five-in-a-row bingo only.)

The game comes with 15 unique boards, so I’ve got you covered if you have lots of family in town.

Just visit the link listed below to open the pdf file.

You can print the file from there or choose to save the file to print later.

Photo and instructions courtesy of http://onecreativemommy.com https://onecreativemommy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Thanksgiving-Bingo-Boards.compressed.pdf

Fun Family Activities for After Thanksgiving Dinner 1. Family Outside Game Start a friendly football, soccer, baseball or other game for the whole family. Design a trophy for the championship team that will be a object of pride for the winning team.

2. Run a Turkey Trot With turkey trot events taking place in both Hopkinsville and Nashville, your active family will love trying something new this year like working up a sweat during the fun run/walk or the 5K run. Most runs are scheduled early morning to kick off Thanksgiving Day.

3. Outdoor Treasure Hunt In advance of Thanksgiving assemble a list of items around your home that can be part of a treasure hunt like a rock, ball, blade of grass....be creative. Divide into teams and give prizes to the winning team.

4. Beer Pong This is for the older members of the family and doesn’t require alcohol. You can get the rules and set-up online.

My sister’s family plays every Thanksgiving evening.

Teams of two in a round robin tournament.

Often it goes well into the night.

They have a family trophy with the winning teams engraved on the plaque.

5. Take a Family Photo For a lot of families this is the only time they all get together during the year. Take the opportunity to gather the clan and take a group photo. It will be great years later to compare how people look and to document the event.

6. Watch “Christmas Vacation” An annual Thanksgiving activity in my house.

We know all the scenes by heart.

The movie is still fun and enjoyable to watch now going on for more than 20 years.

It’s a great way to wind down and get away from the football games on tv.

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Operation Stand Down Empowers Veterans in Clarksville, Middle Tennessee If there’s one thing that Operation Stand Down aims to do every day, it is empowering veterans.

Empowering veterans with skills they will need in their jobs in civilian life, empowering them with self-confidence in their own abilities and empowering them with the capability to be self-sufficient.

And that’s no short order for some of the clients who walk through the doors of the Madison Street Operation Stand Down, or OSD, location.

Many of those who visit the OSD are homeless and were never prepared for life after service. To combat this, the OSD equips these veterans with employment assistance, VA benefits assistance, networking and housing among other services. In 2017 alone, more than 2,000 Veterans benefitted from OSD programs at the Tennessee locations in Clarksville and Nashville.

This outcome is the result of decades of hard work, dating back to 1993. Operation Stand Down started as a group of volunteers who worked to assist Music City’s homeless veteran population with social services and outreach.

These programs took place annually in the form of a 3-day event continuing for 11 years.

The organization officially became a non-profit in 1996 and opened its first full-time Veteran Service Center in 1999. They also added four homes as part

of a transitional housing program that was able to serve 30 Veterans at a time.

After years of expanding their housing program and changing headquarters to their current 1125 12th Ave. South address in 2009, Operation Stand Down opened the Clarksville Service Center at 400 Madison street in 2015 to serve the military population in the Queen City.

And in the close to four years the Clarksville location has been open, they’ve grown to be a fixture in the community, participating in Veterans Day parades and hosting an annual Veteran’s Festival. The festival brings dozens of vendors out for the two-day event, with everything from counseling services to hearing and eye exams available for veterans to access.

The OSD is a primarily volunteer operated organization, with more than 1,100 volunteering in 2017 alone, totaling close to 7,000 hours of work throughout the year.

They are accepting volunteers to help organize events, teach life skills classes and work with groups and individuals to empower them with the skills they need to succeed in civilian life.

For more information about volunteering and Operation Stand Down overall, visit their website at osdtn.org, or call at 931-896-2184.

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Holiday Market Madison Street United Methodist Church 319 Madison St - Clarksville • 9am-2pm The 43rd Holiday Market showcases many local as well as mid-state vendors. One of the highlights is the delightful baked and frozen goods. Lunch provided by the church’s youth group at $7 per plate. Christmas items, jewelry, soaps, pillows, aprons, painted furniture, woodwork, embroidery, doll clothes, wreaths, purses, cookbooks, and much more.

Crafty Nashville Track One, 1211 4th Ave S, Nashville• 10am-5pm craftynashville.wixsite.com/craftynashville • Free There will be over 80 artisans and crafters, food trucks, live music, and more.

Family-friendly, with fun kids’ activities like face painting and balloon artists.

Dog friendly too. Crafty Nashville benefits Soles4Souls, please bring any unwanted shoes to donate.

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Bacon Eggs and Kegs First Tennessee Park, Nashville 11am-3pm • baconeggsandkegs.com Bacon Eggs and Kegs is a boozy, two-day brunch event. If you like brunch, Bloody Marys, and beer, this is the event for you. There will be local beers and ciders, a 30-foot Bloody Mary bar, boozy root beer floats, mimosas, and plenty of brunch food. The event will also feature live music, yard games, and a giant skillet photo op.

You must be 21 + .

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Applefest Hilldale United Methodist Church 1751 Madison St., Clarksville 4-6pm • Free Join us as we celebrate fall and God's love for us in the season of bounty and thanksgiving.

There will be games and fun for the whole family, a chili cook-off and apple desserts. There will be apple science, bobbing for apples, apple stacking and relay races, apple art, train rides and a farmyard obstacle.

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Christmas Village Nashville Fairgrounds christmasvillage.org • various times Approximately 260 merchants and 30,000 shoppers from all over participate in Nashville's oldest and most prestigious consumer show. A variety of unique seasonal and gift items are offered, including: toys for all ages, clothing for children and adults, jewelry, food items, pottery, collectibles and unusual pieces.

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Walk To Remember War Memorial Walking Trail Park - Oak Grove • 6pm visithopkinsville.com/event/the-walk-to-remember Oak Grove Community Cares invites everyone to participate in this one of a kind tribute to soldiers and their families. Participants will take trips around the walking trail to commemorate all hardships of life, dealt with every day with a Candle Light Vigil. Refreshments will be available to all who join us. Candles will be available to all for the cost of a $1 or a donation of any kind (Canned Good, Jacket, Blanket, Toy) Nashville 1/2 Marathon & 5k 5th Ave N - Nashville • 7am whatdoyourunfor.com/races/2018nashville-half-marathon The route takes you through some of Nashville’s most beautiful and historic scenery including the last quarter mile on a triumphant downhill through the honkytonks of Broadway. The ensuing block party will fully reward your accomplishment with music food and exhibitors.

Making Merry Street Festival 2832 Bransford Avenue, Nashville• 9am-4pm berryhilldistrict.com/making-merryinberryhilltn A free, winter-themed event taking place in the Berry Hill neighborhood.Street vendors, contests, food, live performances, and activities. Kids can participate in ornament making and cookie decorating. The annual Mayor’s Parade will start at 1:00pm, with seasonal characters, local bands, motorcycles, and more.

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Sip TN Wine Festival Nashville Farmer’s Market • 11am-5pm siptn.com Nashville’s second annual all-Tennessee wine festival, Sip TN Wine Festival, will be on Saturday, November 10, 2018, from 11:00am to 5:00pm at the Nashville Farmers’ Market. The event will feature over 20 wine producers from across Tennessee providing tastings. There will also be live music, artisan vendors, and gourmet food.

Nashvember Track One Nashville 11am-5pmnashvember.com The 5th Annual Nashvember is free and has an open invitation for anyone who enjoys having fun, supporting local small businesses and food from local food trucks. The event is organized by Project 615, a Nashville apparel company dedicated to helping the homeless in our community and other great world changing causes.

The event will have over 60 vendors & food trucks.

Christmas on the Cumberland Opening Night McGregor Park - Clarksville • 5:30pm The City’s free event is sure to create lasting memories this holiday season as thousands experience the captivating displays of over one million lights. Join us as we celebrate Christmas on the Cumberland’s 20th year with a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at the McGregor Park RiverWalk and Museum. Christmas on the Cumberland continues through Jan 1, 2019.

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Turkey Trot Downtown Hopkinsville • 8am 17th annual Turkey Trot 5K (3.1 miles). A free non-competitive, not timed event, which is fun for the entire family. Participants are welcome to run, walk, stroll, skate, or bicycle. Do as much or as little as you choose. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

It’s all about getting out, getting together, getting some exercise, having some fun and supporting a great cause.

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Hoptown Hop Fest Downtown Hopkinsville • 6pm pennyroyalarts.org The 4th annual Hoptown Hopfest is a Handmade Holidays benefit for the Alhambra Theatre. This Wilma Rudolph Event Center - Clarksville • 9am Sat, 12pm Sun downtown Hopkinsville event includes cityofclarksville.com/index.aspx?page=473 live music in the afternoon, food trucks, Shop Handmade Holidays for one craft beer booths and additional vendors. of a kind, handcrafted goods from The headliner is The Steel Drivers. more than 60 of the best independent artists, designers, and crafters from the area.

Martinis & Mistletoe A two-day, indoor designer craft Cheekwood - Nashville • 8pm market features fine art, apparel, jewelry, accessories, housewares, cheekwood.org/calendar/martinis-mistletoe paper goods, and more. Find unique, handmade gifts or treat The most delightful way to kick off the yourself to something special. holidays. A music filled night of dining and dancing to the 24/7 Band and Nashville’s most Nov 3 - Eastern Kentucky - 4pm popular eateries offering their special Nov 17 - Murray State - 4pm delights. Stroll the Cheekwood Holiday Lights and enjoy the festive gardens as part of your evening activities. Raise a glass with your friends under the mistletoe Nov 11 - New England Patriots - 12pm at Nashville’s most popular holiday party.

APSU Football

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Tennessee Titans Military Appreciation Game

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Butterscotch Coffee Cocktail 1 ounce DeKuyper Buttershots 1 ounce Carolan’s Irish cream Hot coffee Whipped cream Nutmeg (optional) Pour the liqueurs into a coffee cup or Irish coffee mug. Fill the cup the rest of the way with hot coffee.

Garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Drink recipes and photos courtesy of mixthatdrink.com

Pumpkin Pie Martini 2 ounces vanilla vodka 2 ounces white creme de cacao 1 ⁄4 cup heavy cream 1 1 ⁄2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree (pie mix) 1 dash of ground nutmeg (for garnish) Powdered graham cracker (for the rim)

Rim two martini glasses with crushed graham cracker. Put the pumpkin puree into a cocktail shaker with a couple of ice cubes and shake it 10-15 times to break it up. Now add more ice, plus the vanilla vodka, creme de cacao and cream, and shake very, very thoroughly to break up the puree. Strain into the martini glasses. Sprinkle the ground nutmeg on top for garnish.

Thanksgiving Cider Drink 1 part Pinnacle® Pumpkin Pie Vodka 3 parts apple cider Splash of club soda 1 cinnamon stick Instructions Fill a highball glass with ice and build the ingredients in order.

Garnish with a lemon wedge or cinnamon stick.

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CELEBRATE MILITARY FAMILIES THIS MONTH

Committing service to the military is one of the most demanding and respectable allegiances any service member can make. Those in the military wake up early and go home late, and deployments can test a family’s resolve during the stressful period during their service member’s absence. So this November, make sure to let the military family in your life know just how much they mean to you, and just how much their service impacts everyday life during Military Family Appreciation Month.

Established in 1996 by the Military Armed Services YMCA, this is the 22nd annual Military Family Appreciation Month, and there are several different ways you can spend the month, so our Military Families know they are appreciated..

Spoil them!

Let’s face it, many of us don’t take time out of our days to really spoil ourselves. And for a military family who might be operating as a one-parent household while the spouse is deployed, there is even less time for self-care. This November is the perfect opportunity to take a friend whose child, spouse or sibling is deployed out for a day of relaxation or taking your veteran neighbor for a round of golf. Little things go a long way as well, so something like a signed card given to your military-affiliated friends lets them know you recognize their service and their family member’s service. This is also a great time to involve the kids to put together handmade thank you cards.

Volunteer your time The community surrounding Fort Campbell is one of the most supportive military communities in the country.

With that support comes multiple non-profit and for profit organizations working to benefit veterans, active duty service members and their families. Fort Campbell’s USO is a great place to start volunteering with working on special events or being a USO Center Representative assisting with day-to-day operations.

For more information about volunteering with the USO, visit FortCampbell.USO.org/Support/Volunteer, or call at (931) 542-3078. In Clarksville, Operation Stand Down is also working to help veterans and their families in a variety of ways. For more information about Operation Stand Down and for volunteer opportunities, visit their website at OSDTN.org, or call at (931) 896-2184.

Participate in the MWR Super Hero Run

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As part of the Military Family Appreciation Month, MWR will be hosting their first Super Hero fun run and 5k on Nov. 17. This free run will be held in the Shaw Physical Fitness Center parking lot, beginning at 9 am with the Best Super Hero costume contest with adults, children and family categories. The 5k starts at 9:10 am, and the Fun Run follows five minutes after the 5k.

For more information as the event nears, visit campbell.armymwr.com/calendar.

Everyone is welcome.

Fort Campbell USO to host Salute to Military Spouses Military spouses are some of the greatest motivators the military has.

Whether it’s a home-cooked meal at the end of the work day, a phone call from an ocean away or good company on the weekend, the men and women behind service members keep the military strong in ways it’s hard to realize without experiencing their lives.

So that’s why the USO is hosting a Salute to Military Spouses on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

This spouse-centered summit will feature presentations from bestselling authors, journalists and business people all demonstrating how important the role of the military spouse is and the unique challenges they face.

The salute will be held in Washington, D.C., but locally the Fort Campbell USO will be hosting a networking event to access the summit’s livestream. The event will be from 10 am until noon, and all military spouses are invited out to enjoy the presentation with light refreshments.

The event will be held at the Fort Campbell USO office at 6145 Desert Storm ave.

For more information about the Salute to Military Spouses, visit uso.org/campaign/milspousesalute, and for more about the Fort Campbell USO, visit their website at fortcampbell.uso.org, or call at 270-697-4144.

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For almost two decades, Appleton Harley-Davidson has been bringing toys to the military children housed at Fort Campbell. And on Saturday, Nov. 10, their mission is the same with this year’s Eagle Toy Run. Every year bikers line up on their roaring motorcycles, with toys in tow, and parade around Clarksville, ending at the Appleton dealership where the toys are collected and an afternoon of entertainment begins.

Gray Smoke BBQ will be providing food, and there will be live music from the Nightmasters. There will also be giveaways throughout the day, totaling $1,000.

For the biking enthusiast, grab a gift for a child from your local toy store and head to the Old Glory Distilling Co. to line up for the annual toy run which will begin with registration at noon.

Kickstands go up at 1 p.m. Toys will be given to the USO’s Christmas House at Fort Campbell.

To participate in the toy run, bikers either make a $25 donation, or bring a toy with them to give to the USO. If the money is donated, participants will receive a Toy Run t-shirt.

For more information about the Toy Run and all the services Appleton Harley-Davidson provides, visit their website at www.AppletonHarley.com.

Nashville Predators Honor Military Many people spend nights on Broadway at one of the many honky-tonk bars lining the street, but for the next few months, Nashville Predators hockey takes center stage over the country music downtown.

Music City’s favorite hockey team took to the ice for the first time this season on Oct. 4, and are ready to make another deep Stanley Cup playoff run, like in years prior.

Military service members also get discounted tickets to Predators games, with $20 off lower bowl tickets and $10 off upper bowl tickets after showing a valid military ID when purchasing single-game tickets for home games. You can claim this offer at the Predator’s box office. Check out the Predators ticketing office online at NHL.com/Predators/Tickets.

The hockey team has always been an organization to honor the military with appreciation nights and discounted tickets. Most recently the Predators held their Military Salute Week in March 2018, towards the end of the regular season.

The 101st Airborne Division Band played classic rock covers during the intermissions, and the 101st Airborne Division Artillery Brigade posted the colors prior to the National Anthem at the March 6, March 8, and March 10, home games.

For more about the Predators and for a full schedule of games with ticketing information, visit their website at nhl.com/predators or call the main office at 615-770-2000 26

Usually when service members think of a Dining In, they think of a night of food, drinks and camaraderie within their unit. The service men and women gather together in formal dress for the event where only they are allowed – spouses and significant others are left at home.

The Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club will be hosting their own Mock Dining In this November, but this night will add a few unexpected twists to the regular schedule of events. For starters, the Nov. 16, dinner will only be available to spouses and will feature a formal dinner followed by lip sync battles, a talent show and an award show for these competitions following the programming.

This event aims to bring the same camaraderie service members enjoy during their Dinings In to their spouses.

“It is a night for spouses to get together and enjoy each other’s company while promoting the spirit of fellowship that service members achieve,” according to the Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club.

The dinner will be from 5:30 pm until 11 pm at the James E. Bruce Convention Center at 303 Conference Center drive in Hopkinsville.

Individual tickets are available for purchase online for $40 through Nov. 16. Tables of 10 may also be reserved for $400.

For more information about the event, ticketing and the Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club, visit their website at ftcampbellspousesclub.com, or email at fcscpublicaffairsofficer@gmail.com.

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Veterans Day is one of the most celebrated national holidays, especially in the area surrounding Fort Campbell. There will be multiple parades between Clarksville, Hopkinsville and Cadiz, all with enough flag flying and float driving to make this Veterans Day one to remember. Here is all the information you’ll need to keep up with what’s happening this Veterans Day. Clarksville Veterans Day Parade The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization is again organizing this year’s parade through downtown Clarksville on Nov. 10. The parade will begin at 10 am and will feature dozens of local clubs, community groups, military service organizations, high school bands and JROTC units among others all marching together down College Street to pay tribute to all those who have, will and are currently serving in our armed forces. For more info, visit Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization website mcgtn.org/vso, or call 931-553-5173 .

Hopkinsville Veterans Day Parade The Christian County Military Affairs Committee, the Division of Parks and Recreation, City of Hopkinsville and Christian County Fiscal Court will be hosting Hopkinsville’s Veterans Day parade this year on Saturday, Nov. 10. The parade will begin at 10 am in downtown Hopkinsville, and each veteran in attendance will receive a miniature U.S. flag to take home with them.

Following the parade, veterans will be honored with a closing ceremony at the Justice Center at 100 Justice Way. There will be live music and refreshments at the ceremony. For more information, visit the Visit Hopkinsville website at visithopkinsville.com, or call 270-887-4290.

Cadiz Veterans Day Parade The City of Cadiz will be hosting its Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 9, from 11 am until 1 pm. The parade will make its way down Main Street, and will feature Jerry Bacon as the parade’s Grand Marshall. For more information about the parade, visit the Go Cadiz website at gocadiz.com, or call 270-522-3892.

Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce will be honoring area veterans with their annual breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 10. The buffet-style breakfast will begin at 7:30 am, and will feature a keynote speech from Austin Peay State University’s Vice President for External Affairs Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey. The networking event will end at 9:30 am, and is business casual attire. For more information about the breakfast, visit the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce’s website at clarksvillechamber.com or call 931-647-2331.

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2018 Fort Campbell DFAC Challege Every year before Thankgiving there is a delicious challenge on post.

The dining facility (DFAC) challenge pits the chefs of the 7 DFACs against each other in a culinary fight to the finish.The results are tremendous plates of food, ranging from sliced turkey and dressing, roast beef to lobster and shrimp.

If you haven’t checked out the challenge put it on your list of things to do this year. Be sure to come hungry because the portions are abundent and you have to leave room for desert.

For the past two years, Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Camacho of 1st BCT has taken home the plaque...so the target is on her back to win it again. Visit as many of the DFACs as you can to take in the food and the theme, as each DFAC is rated on the food but also what theme they pick and how they portray that theme.

It’s a great way to get into the Thanksgiving holiday spirit.

Vietnam service earns Currahees 6 Medals of Honor Since the Currahee’s formation more 76 years ago, there have been more than 1,400 soldiers in the regiment who have given the supreme sacrifice during their service for this country.

And of the 22 Medals of Honor awarded to 101st Airborne Division soldiers, seven of those were given to Currahee service members. Of those seven, six were awarded during the Currahee’s service during the Vietnam War. And for good reason.

The Currahee 506th Infantry Regiment – their nickname is Cherokee for “Stands Alone” – was one of the most instrumental units during the Vietnam War, receiving recognitions for their service during the Tet Offensive, Battle of Hamburger Hill and the Battle of FSB Ripcord.

Following WWII, the 506th went through periods of deactivation until being permanently activated in 1954.

Additionally, the regiment was reorganized under the 3rd Brigade, which was sent to Vietnam in December 1967.

After fighting in the country for close to two months, the Currahees found themselves in Phan Thiet, a coastal city in south Vietnam east of Ho Chi Minh city.

What initially began as a ceasefire in honor of the Vietnamese New Year quickly changed the night of Jan. 31, 1968.

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The Viet Cong had launched this guerrilla attack in multiple other cities throughout the country earlier that week, but the Currahees were called to action in Phan Thiet, killing more than a dozen Viet Cong and capturing multiple weapons. This first

interaction was the beginning of multiple battles, the second of which occurred on Feb. 2, where the 506th found additional Viet Cong forces in the outlying areas of Phan Thiet, battling them for six hours before regrouping from the fight.

This battle took the lives of four Currahee Soldiers and wounded 10 more. By the end of the Tet Offensive in late February 1968, the Currahees had made an impressive dent in enemy forces, causing the Viet Cong to retreat from Phan Thiet.

Following the Tet Offensive, the 506th continued the fight in Vietnam ultimately landing in the A Sầu Valley, west of Huế City.

Otherwise known as the Battle of Hamburger Hill, the conflict took place in May 1969 and was a test of the Currahee strength namely because of the rough jungle terrain.

Fighting alongside South Vietnamese forces, the 506th took control of multiple hills in the valley, ultimately controlling Hill 937, nicknamed Hamburger Hill by embedded war reporters.

The Currahee Monument Field sits just north of the Don F. Pratt Museum, on Tennessee Ave. This field is lined by multiple monuments honoring the individual contributions of the 506th to the Iraq and Afghanistan, World War II and Vietnam wars.

The 506th’s legacy of service is proudly displayed in the half-circle monument field with their iconic Spade displayed in the center of the individual memorials.