Veterans fellowship over breakfast

Sandra ClarkPowell

                                                                                                            (Click on photo to enlarge)

 

Veterans and their guests were treated to a breakfast buffet Feb. 16, compliments of Food City. The Community Center in Powell was filled with military retirees visiting with friends and just enjoying the meal. 

Knox County Commissioner Charles Busler and Community Center leader Janice White were pleased with the turnout. “We may have to add on a wing (to accommodate the crowd),” Busler joked. 

Robert “Buzz” Buswell, director of veterans and senior services for Knox County, welcomed the attendees and encouraged them to go back for seconds. The meal is free. 

Buswell said there are now three such gatherings: the first Saturday of each month at the Elks Club on Lonas Drive, the third Saturday at Powell and the last Saturday in Oliver Springs. 

An impressive display circled the side and back wall of the Community Center. It’s part of a national display, Buswell said, that’s based in Nashville and rented for display. It names and pictures every service member from Tennessee killed in action since 9/11/2001. 

The display was envisioned by a Gold Star father who didn’t want his son to be forgotten, Buswell said. Now 19 states are represented, and Tennessee is one. Anyone wanting to see the exhibit can do so at the upcoming Mustang show at Sevier County’s LeConte Center. Ponies in the Smokies is set for March 20-23. 

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