Good For You: Military honors for area servicemen and women

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Golden Corral salutes military personnel with free meal

Golden Corral restaurants will thank active duty and retired United States military personnel for their service with a free dinner buffet and beverage on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11., from 5 to 9 p.m. The Wednesday-night event will also to used to collect donations for Disabled American Veterans.

Since beginning the appreciation night 14 years ago, Golden Corral restaurants have served more than 4.4 million complimentary meals to servicemen and women. More than $10.2 million has been collected to support DAV initiatives for veterans.

Anyone who is serving or has served in a U.S. military branch, including the National Guard and Reserves, is eligible for the free dinner and beverage. State and local DAV representatives will be at Golden Corral locations collecting donations.

Golden Corral has three locations in this area: 1808 Gunbarrel Road, 350 Stuart Road in Cleveland, Tenn., and 760 Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.

Red Lobster offers Veterans Day special

To thank veterans, active duty military and reservists for their service, Red Lobster is offering either a free appetizer or dessert beginning Monday, Nov. 9, through Thursday, Nov. 12.

Guests need only show a valid military ID or proof of service to receive either a free appetizer or dessert from a special menu that offers 11 appetizer choices and five dessert choices.

The restaurant has locations at Hamilton Place, 2200 Bams Drive; Northgate Mall, 2131 Northgate Park; and 901 W. Bridge Road, Dalton, Ga.

CSO presenting free Veteran's Day concert

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, in partnership with the city of Chattanooga, will present a free Veteran's Day concert on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium.

This is the fourth consecutive year the CSO has presented a family-friendly concert for veterans, their families and the public. Conducted by CSO Music Director Kayoko Dan, the musicians will be joined by the Lee University Singers, directed by Brad Moffett.

The program includes "The Star-Spangled Banner," Calvin Custer's "American Frontier," an Armed Forces salute that recognizes each branch of service, John Williams' "Hymn to the Fallen" from the film "Saving Private Ryan," as well as a cappella pieces performed by the Lee singers.

For more information, call 423-267-8583.

Chattanooga State earns VETS designation

Chattanooga State Community College was presented a VETS Campus Award, recognizing it as one of 12 veterans-friendly campuses across Tennessee.

Dr. Russ Deaton, interim executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, presented the award to Bill Wright, president of the Chattanooga State Veterans Club, and Chattanooga State President Flora Tydings.

"Receiving a VETS Campus designation gives us the opportunity to celebrate the work that we do to support our veterans, service members and their families as they work toward their educational goals at Chattanooga State," say Michelle Olson, director of educational outreach programs and retention.

Campbell receives Palmer Veterans Appreciation Award

U.S. Army veteran James E. Campbell is the 30th recipient of the annual Palmer, Tenn., Veterans Appreciation Award. Sponsored by Citizens Tri-County Bank, the award is presented each Veterans Day by town historian David Patton.

Campbell served in Germany with the 7th Army as a tank crew commander during the Vietnam War. He was chosen for the Army rifle and pistol team sharpshooters. At the time of his discharge from the Army he had achieved the rank of Cpl. E-4.

He and wife Theresia have two children.

Two receive honorable discharges

Air Force Col. Craig S. Gaddis has retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving honorably for 30 years. Gaddis last served as commander of the 62nd Maintenance Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. During his career, Gaddis was assigned to 12 postings worldwide, including various locations in the Middle East, South Korea and with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. He commanded logistics and aircraft maintenance units at the squadron and group level. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

He is the son of Janice N. Gaddis of Rossville and a 1985 graduate of Rossville High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1989 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

* Army Lt. Col. Janice A. Arrowsmith has retired from the U.S. Army after serving honorably for 28 years. Her last assignment was as a force management officer with U.S. Army Material Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

Arrowsmith is the daughter of Marion E. Mathis of Rossville, and mother of Mark Arrowsmith of Huntsville, Ala. She is a 1982 graduate of Brainerd High School and earned a degree in 1987 from Middle Tennessee State University.

Basic Training graduates

* Fort Jackson: Army Pvt. Bradley Posey, son of Linda Belk of South Pittsburg, Tenn., a graduate of South Pittsburg High School; Army Pvt. Riana L. Banks, daughter of Manny and Marcus Banks, a graduate of Ooltewah High School.

* San Antonio-Lackland Base: Air Force Airman Eric S. Kuykendall, son of Karla and Steward S. Kuykendall of Dayton, Tenn., a graduate of Rhea County High School; Air Force Airman Zachary T. Chadwick, son of Christina and Stephen R. Chadwick of Ringgold, Ga., a graduate of Heritage High School.

Air Force Guard Airman 1st Class Calum P. McCroskey, son of Tristan McCroskey, Butch McCroskey and Cindy McCroskey, a graduate of McCallie School; Air Force Airman 1st Class James J. Clemons, son of Diane and William Clemons, a graduate of Tyner Academy.

- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce

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