After a two-year wait, the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council held their 30th annual awards banquet at the American Legion Post #95 William E. Blair.
Mrs. Carolene Grossnickle Perry was awarded the 2020 Charles H Coolidge Associate of the Year Award for her many years of service to her country and community. Mrs. Perry is the wife of retired Navy Commander Alden Perry.
Alan Syler was awarded the Charles Coolidge Volunteer Veteran of the Year (2020) for his heavy involvement in the veteran community here in Chattanooga.
Mr. Syler served in the United States Navy as a submariner. He is a director of the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council and is involved in the Armed Forces Parade and the Wreaths Across Chattanooga committees, among many other veteran-rated faucets.
Mr. Syler is the featured speaker for the upcoming Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council dinner on April 21 that will meet at the Walden Club. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., and Mr. Syler will speak at 7:30 p.m. Not only will he speak on submarines during this meeting, but he will focus on the USS Spearfish's WWII mission to rescue a group of nurses off the island, as well as the POW's who were with them, and their heroic journey to safety. Live descendants of one of the nurse's adult children will connect with the meeting on Zoom. They will share with the attendees their mother's mission and what happened on that fateful rescue mission off the island. Their mother's book will be raffled during the dinner meeting, as the adult children donated this book for this meeting. Other raffle prizes will also be offered.
The deadline to register and pay for your reservation is April 18. Make check payable to: Chattanooga Navy League. Mail payment/reservation to: Pam Ann Morgan, Navy League Treasurer, P.O. Box 911014, Chattanooga, Tn. 37412. Email treasurer@chattanooganavyleague.org or call 423-504-0955 with reservation questions. Optional Paypal payment can be made at
www,chattanooganavyleague.com/paypal.html.
The Chattanooga Navy League Council supports the local and national Maritime Services plus youth, military programs in the Chattanooga-area. "We are a civilian organization and anyone interested in supporting the Maritime Services is welcome to join," officials said. "See our Membership link to join us and support our Maritime Services. We look forward to seeing you on April 21st."