Author: Ed Junod

Rev. Robert (Bob) Hatley, age 78, of Madisonville, passed away 0130. Monday, April 27, 2020 at U.T. Medical Center.

Bob was a graduate of Madisonville High School. He retired from M & M Mars Company and was a member of Notchey Creek Baptist Church, Tellico Masonic Lodge # 80, Vonore O.E.S. Chapter 383, and Monroe County DAV #93. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Vietnan War. He was one of the original 23 members of Legacy Peer Support Group, Secretary of Vet to Vet Tennessee and the Knoxville Regional Veterans Mental Health Council, Court Coordinator and Mentor of the Monroe County Veterans Court. He loved helping the veteran’s community.

Bob’s selflessness, generosity, and dedication to others had an impact on Monroe County, Vet to Vet Tennessee, and anyone who knew him. We have been blessed in life to be in the presence of a strong male role model. Although he continued to struggle with the memories of his service in Vietnam, he neveronce lost focus on his comrades.  God blessed us knowing you brother.  Welcome Home!  We will never forget you. 

A drive-in graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday at Notchey Creek Cemetery. Rev. Mitch Ingram, Rev. David Koopman will officiate. Due to the current health crisis, attendees will be asked to remain in their cars. A private Masonic service and rendering of military honors will be held for the family. Military honors will be provided by V.F.W. Post 5156, D.A.V. Chapter 93 and American Legion Post 106. The online guestbook may be signed at www.biereleyhale.com. The public viewing will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville, Tennessee.

Here’s a chance to use your creative talents for a cause that could literally save lives! Join us for “Worth It” auditions! The show is set in a high school, so actors should be able to portray high school students ages 15 – 19.

We are looking for talented high school students to appear in a faith-based comedy/drama to get the word out that life is worth living! The performance will be Sunday night, Nov. 10 in Knoxville, TN, with final rehearsal on Nov. 9. See posts below and visit https://bit.ly/2ZXLAUF for more information!

Suicide is the 2nd cause of death amongst the youth in America. It is time we did something about it! If you would like to know more about the purpose of the play please leave us a message below or call us at 865-336-2624.

Vet to Vet Tennessee (VTVT) announced that enrollment for the July 24, 2019 QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor Class is now open for registration.

The July 24th class will be hosted by the Helen Ross McNabb Military Services Center, 3712 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921 from 0800 to 1500.

VTVT is providing 15 Free $500.00 scholarships for this class.

To review the scholarship requirements and/or to enroll in the July 24th class please click here. At the end of the 8 hour class you will able to save a life! Enroll now.

In the Veteran community, PTSD is often associated with combat trauma. Witnessing a horrific  event like a deadly roadside bombing or the killing of a child can take an emotional toll on someone, causing that person to relive the event and feel angry, depressed, or distant.

Does shame—in which a person feels responsible for what happened and views himself or herself as a bad person—play a role in worsening the emotional and day-to-day struggles of someone with PTSD? Shame is a common symptom for those with PTSD.

Shame, one of the emotions associated with PTSD, may have an especially strong role in generating suicidal feelings, research suggests. VA researchers are exploring that question. To learn more about the studies please click here.

At VA, Veterans are at the center of everything we do. We are constantly working
to make sure you know about the health care and benefits you have earned
through your service to our country.

A new law, called the MISSION Act, strengthens VA’s ability to provide you with state-of-the-art care and services through a network of providers and cutting-edge technology. The law makes several enhancements to VA care that begin on June 6, 2019.  Click here to find VA Urgent Care Clinics that have been approved by the VA.

Continue reading “Effective June 6, 2019 Enhanced VA Options Under the MISSION Act”

Congratulation Class of May 16, 2019!

Twelve more QPR Gatekeeper Instructors graduated on May 16, 2019.  We want to thank Vet to Vet Tennessee’s sponsor, Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee, for providing the financial support to provide these 12 graduates with free scholarships to attend this class. We are thank Pastor Aaron McCarter, Maryville Vineyard Church, for hosting the event.

We thank the graduates for their time, effort and dedication and pray they will have the strength and courage to “Ask the Question.”

Graduates listed from left to right:

Jason Goodman – Lifeline – Metro Drug Coalition Howard Bowlin – Spiritual Liaison and Veterans Program – Cornerstone of Recovery Ed Junod – QPR Master Instructor – Vet to Vet Tennessee Cindy Winterberger – Clinic Social Worker – Covenant Homehealth/Hospice Lori Jordan – Resource Coordinator – Covenant Health/Hope Center Angela Obear – Counselor – Pellissippi State Community College CJ Counts – Senior Pastor – Grace of the Lord Church, Aurora Colorado Kirk Schlabaugh – Youth Sponsor – Maryville Vineyard Church Sam McGhee – Youth Pastor – Maryville Vineyard Church Robert Brooks – Veterans Court Mentor – Vet to Vet Tennessee Michael Watkins – Lieutenant – Loudon County Sheriff Office Sheila McGinty – Student – University of Tennessee Steve Davis – Soundperson – Community Baptist Church

Click here for more photos.

Vet to Vet Tennessee (VTVT) announced today that enrollment for the May 16th QPR Instructor Class is closed.

In order to approved current scholarship requests, VTVT has been scheduled a new QPR Gatekeeper class on June 27, 2019 in Knoxville Tennessee. VTVT is providing 15 Free $500.00 scholarships for this class.

To review the scholarship requirements and/or to enroll in the June 27th class please click here. At the end of the 8 hour class you will able to save a life! Enroll now.

The House of Worship lead by Pastor Anthony Collins and U.S. Air Force Veteran Lay Leader Lisa Wilkerson enrolled their church into VMFC family on Friday April 12, 2019. Pastor Collins and Lisa Wilkerson are excited to become part of the VMFC network.

Upon receiving their MCA welcome letter and VMFC certificate, Pastor Collins wrote “We are blessed to be part of the military family team and look forward to helping in any way that we can.  Many blessings and we wish you a blessed Holy Week!”

This is the second VMFC in Oak Ridge Tennessee. Let’s thank God for their support and participation.

If you would like to send Pastor Collins or Lisa a message please leave your comment below. Be blessed and happy.

Continue reading “The House of Worship Enrolls in the VMFC”

MC Veterans Court Judge Dwaine B. Thomas opened his courtroom for the graduation of 31 year old Marine Eric Ryan Busch for the successful completion of Veterans Court program. The event was delayed an hour due to a lengthy case prior to the graduation so many of the County officials had to leave prior to the graduation. County Mayor Mitch Ingram, city council and sheriff department members were present but had to leave for prior engagements.

Fortunately all of the Vet to Vet Tennessee members including Eric’s mentor Randall Scott were present. Eric thanked Judge Thomas, the Veterans Court, Helen Ross McNabb Military Services Center Clinical Therapist Lisa Wilkerson, Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Case Manager Susannah Wilson and Vet to Vet Tennessee for restoring and saving his life. Eric is a proud father of two young children and a very happily married husband. Thanks to Susannah Eric has a new full time job that he loves. He committed to the Judge that he would help other veterans in need, especially those who are contemplating suicide.

Continue reading “Marine graduates from Monroe County Veterans Court”