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278th departs for Iraq
Hundreds of families, friends and well-wishers turned out Friday for departure ceremonies at Camp Shelby, MS, for over 3,000 soldiers of the National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
The regiment is bound for Iraq, marking its second deployment to that country, the first coming in 2004. Governor Phil Bredesen and his wife, Andrea Conte, were at the military post Friday to see off the Tennesseans, just as they did five years ago. The governor told the assembled soldiers, “Nothing humbles me more than to serve as your Commander in Chief.”
He recognized and thanked families of the soldiers and offered a special “thank you” to soldiers who had deployed more than once, which represented the majority of the members of the 278th. This brings to nearly 20,000 the number of Tennessee Guardsmen called up since Sept. 11, 2001
The National Guard men and women have been at Camp Shelby since early December conducting specialized pre-deployment training.
The highlight of the departure ceremony Friday was a full formation of the 3,000 soldiers, held on the post parade field with a review by Governor Bredesen, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Max Haston, and military dignitaries from across the country.
“It’s humbling to stand before these great troopers, “ said Maj. Gen. Haston. ”You are the standard bearers of this nation,” he added. He also thanked soldiers’ families whom he described as, “the Guard family.”
Other notables from Tennessee included Congressman Lincoln Davis, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Congressman Zack Wamp, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, House Speaker Kent Williams, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs John Keys, and State Rep. Joshua Evans.
The 278th ACR is the Tennessee National Guard’s largest single unit, and the massive deployment affects 45 cities stretching tip-to-tip across Tennessee, all the way from Kingsport in the east to Henderson in the west.
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Eagle Scout project dedicated to late Crossville preacher
A Crossville Boy Scout saw the completion of an Eagle Scout project as a way to say thanks to a Crossville preacher and his congregation for allowing the Scouts to meet in the church.
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Crash on Chestnut Hill Rd. claims life of county man
Homer L. Matthews, 48, of Chestnut Hill Rd., was found lying in a ditch not far from his 1997 Nissan pickup that crashed on Chestnut Hill Rd. around 10 p.m. Sunday, about a mile off Peavine Rd., according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
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Library in danger of losing state funds
The Art Circle Public Library could lose support from the state if its budget isn't restored to funding levels of 2009-'10 by the county. That means the county needs to add approximately $42,000 to the library's 2010-'11 budget.
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July 31 is Firefighter Appreciation Day
Mayor J.H. Graham III signed a proclamation at the July city council meeting that declared July 31 as Firefighter Appreciation Day. Now the community has an opportunity to support local firefighters.
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Hog heaven
The Jr. Grillers youth team was among five teams competing in the first Crossville Wheels 'n Squeals competitive barbecue cooking contest.
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Suspect charged in vehicle burglary
A Crossville man seen running from the scene of an automobile break-in has been arrested and charged with auto burglary and items taken have been recovered.
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Residents warned of scam
The Crossville Police Department reports several members of the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex have been receiving calls from an individual claiming to represent the complex.
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VEC plans power outage Saturday
Volunteer Energy Cooperative will be preforming maintenance work that will require a planned power outage in Cumberland County beginning at 1 a.m. and lasting until 5 a.m. Saturday.
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BOE approves fees for daycare program
The Cumberland County Board of Education approved a fee schedule for care at the new Tennessee Early Intervention System daycare located on the grounds of the Central Office.
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No decision on county budget
[VIDEO] In spite of a state mandate to fund the school system with a probable tax increase or wheel tax looming over their heads, county commissioners delayed passing the 2010-'11 budget and postponed addressing the subject again until after the upcoming county general election Aug. 5.
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