The Tennessee Aquarium raised a $5,000 donation for the National Medal of Honor Museum through proceeds from screenings of an IMAX film commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. From left are Charlie Arant, Tennessee Aquarium president and chief executive officer; Jim Wade, National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History executive director; and Dan Saieed, National Medal of Honor Museum board chairman.

IMAX 's 'D-Day 3D' raises $5,000 for museum

In recognition of and appreciation for the sacrifices of local veterans, the Tennessee Aquarium partnered with the National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History to present special screenings of "D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944" in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Proceeds from the two D-Day anniversary screenings brought in $5,000 to benefit the museum's campaign to build a permanent home in Chattanooga. Due to strong interest, additional screenings of the film have been added to the Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater schedule. "D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944" will be shown at 6 p.m. daily through the July Fourth weekend.

Narrated by NBC's Tom Brokaw, the film blends archival footage with computer-generated imagery to recount the monumental events before, during and after the Normandy invasion.

"The film does a fantastic job of reminding us of what was at stake prior to D-Day and the incredible, coordinated effort it took to turn the tide of World War II," says Jim Wade, executive director of the Medal of Honor Museum. "And the movie reminds us all why World War II veterans are considered by many the Greatest Generation."

To learn more about the National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History, check its website at mohm.org.

Members of the Navy League with visiting crew members from the USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) are, form left, Charles Jackson; Engineman 1st Class Phillip Rice of Mobile, Ala.; Machinist Mate 1st Class James Hulstander of Marathon, N.Y.; Billy Hewitt and David Smith

USS Tennessee crew visit Chattanooga

Several crew members from the USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) visited the Greater Chattanooga Council of the Navy League of the United States during a four-day visit to Chattanooga. The local council adopted the submarine and its crew several years ago.

Hosted by John J. Spittler of the Chattanooga Council, the visitors included the submarine's commanding officer, Cmdr. John L. Howrey; his Chief of the Boat, Senior Chief Stacy Hammann, and eight crew members. The 10 attended the Navy League's summer meeting at the Mountain City Club.

Hammann, whose U.S. Navy rate is Sonar Technician - Submarines, opened the evening's presentation by introducing each crew member, explaining his rate or specialty and describing his job on the submarine. Howrey then took the podium and provided an overview of the USS Tennessee's mission as well as some details about what the future may hold regarding U.S. Navy submarines.

Earlier this year, Navy League members and guests traveled to USS Tennessee's home port at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay near St. Mary's, Ga., where they were given a three-hour, personalized tour of the submarine as well as a visit to the Trident Training facility.

Slikker earns medical degree, commission

Andrew B. Slikker has graduated from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. The graduate received a medical degree and was commissioned to the rank of lieutenant in the Navy, with a minimum seven-year active-duty service commitment.

The university is a tuition-free institution that manages a graduate nursing school, a graduate school with doctor of philosophy and master's degree programs and a medical school that prepares men and women to be health-care practitioners, physicians and scientists for careers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and U.S. Public Health Service.

Slikker is the son of Karen and Bart Slikker of Dayton, Tenn. He is a graduate of Rhea County High School and received a bachelor's degree from Bryan College.

LaFayette soldier competes in Best Warrior contest

Army Reserve Spec. Jesse L. Clements of LaFayette, Ga., was one of 30 soldiers who qualified to compete in the 2014 Combined Best Warrior Competition held at Fort McCoy, Wis.

The week-long event was co-hosted by the Army Reserve's 412th Theater Engineer Command, headquartered in Vicksburg, Miss., and 416th Theater Engineer Command in Darien, Ill. It is designed to test soldiers' mental and physical stamina and their proficiency in various tactical and technical military skills.

Clements is currently serving as carpentry and masonry specialist with 390th Engineer Company, 844th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade.

He is the son of Catherine and Chuck Handley of LaFayette and a graduate of LaFayette High School.

Basic training graduates

San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base: Air Force Airman Jonathon D. Russell , son of William Norment of Alexandria, Va. and Cecilia D. Russell, graduate of Tyner Academy; Air Force Airman Caleb M. Simpkins, son of Lisa M. and Doug S. Simpkins, graduate of East Hamilton High School; Air Force Airman My P. Le, son of Xinh Nguyen, graduate of East Hamilton High School.

Air Force Airman Jada J. Pinckney, daughter of Jacqueline K. Pinckney, graduate of Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences; Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan P. Lynch, son of Cris and Susan Lynch of Ringgold, Ga., graduate of Dalton High School; Air Force Airman Rafael Y. Gongora, son of Aurora and Joshua Daniel of Athens, Tenn., graduate of McMinn County High School.

Air Force Airman Kahla M. Evans, daughter of Patricia Davis and Jerry Evans of Pikeville, Tenn., graduate of Van Buren County High School; Air Force Airman Taryn J. Thomas, daughter of Ted and Misty S. Kimbrell, graduate of North Murray High School; Air Force Airman 1st Class Reagan A. Weathers, son of Wendell Weathers and Andrea Long, graduate of Soddy-Daisy High School.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler May, son of Jerry May and Rachel May, graduate of Bradley Central High School; Air Force Airman Michael L. Hendon, son of Marla Robinson of Dayton,Tenn., and Ronald Hendon of Graysville, Tenn., graduate of Rhea County High School; Air Force Airman Tyler J. Hardin, son of Fred and Pam Hardin of Lyerly, Ga., graduate of Chattooga High School.

Air Force Airman Austin D. Hamilton, son of Laura Hamilton, graduate of Soddy-Daisy High School; Air Force Airman Elizabeth S. Rogers, daughter of David Rogers of LaFayette, Ga., graduate of LaFayette High School; Air Force Airman Logan E. Buchanan, son of Steve and Joy Buchanan, graduate of Soddy-Daisy High School.

Air Force Airman Ashton B. Myers, son of Billy and Tammy Myers of Cleveland, Tenn., graduate of Bradley Central High School; Air Force Airman Stephen J. Kendrick, son of Stephen J. Kendrick and Christine Kendrick, graduate of McMinn County High School; Air Force Airman 1st Class Justin W. Hurst, son of Michelle V. Hurst of Decatur, Tenn. and Scott and Lori Hurst of Georgetown, graduate of Central High School.