Patty Parks, national president of Military Women Across the Nation and member of TriState Women Veterans Unit #157, along with Susan Lindsey, MWAN National Public Relations chair and member of Unit #157, joined forces with more than 40 other organizations at the free Joint Operations veterans’ event in Cleveland to provide information on benefits and services available locally to all military veterans. Museum Center at 5ive Points opened its doors to the event hosted by Senator Bob Corker’s office and co-hosted by Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis and Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland.
MWAN is an organization for military women. Members have served in all the wars from World War II through current military engagements. The objectives of the organization are to keep military women veterans, past and present, informed of earned benefits, connect military women with each other while preserving their common history, and provide opportunities for women in tomorrow’s armed forces through networking and community service with and for other military women.
Local Unit #157 makes a special effort to keeps its member informed of veterans’ affairs with an emphasis on programs and benefits for women. Some members volunteer regularly with the Chattanooga VA Clinic while others serve their community through churches, museums, humane societies, theaters and hospices. They also participate in patriotic activities including parades, veteran events and other patriotic celebrations.
TriState Women Veterans, Unit #157, members meet for brunch on the third Saturday of February, April, June, August, October and December at Shoney’s Meeting Room, 2318 Shallowford Village Dr. All women who have served in the military are invited to attend. For more information about the meetings, please contact Patty Parks at pattyjoparks@yahoo.com or 326-0839.