Chattanooga Area
Veterans Council

Order of American Military Services formation.

The Chattanooga Area Veterans Council

Begun in 1983 as the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Veterans Coordinating Committee, this organization was formed under the leadership of its first chairman, Bryant Cook, to pull veteran organizations together and coordinate their activities. The name was changed in 1994 under chairmanship of Bill Carman to call it the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council. The goal was to include groups in the tri-state areas of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.

Currently numerous organizations participate in the work which sponsors such functions as Veterans Day, Memorial Day and other ceremonies. One of the most appreciated work is performed by the Honor Guard which offers services at Veteran funerals and at special patriotic functions.

In 1995, the 50^th anniversary of World War II, the CAVC undertook sponsorship of the Armed Forces Day Parade which was in danger of being discontinued. This was under the chairmanship of Bill Carman with Edith Adkins as chairperson and Col. Bill Raines as military projects officer.  A much anticipated USO Dance was added each fall to remind everyone of the days of World War II when these functions brought cheer to service men and women.

Among the most important achievements of the CAVC was pulling together the people and funds in 1997 to build a pavilion at the National Cemetery through donations from a private donor, Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga. Begun in the administration of Chairman Ralph Astin in 1995, the pavilion was completed in Bob Lahier's administration.  It was dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1997, by Gov. Don Sundquist.

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Archival information:

News Releases from Candace Underwood
Director of the National Cemetery in Chattanooga

Annual CAVC Installation and Awards Banquet Mar. 26, 2004

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