Run for the Fallen: Celebrating the lives of our fallen soldiers

By Christine Anne Piesyk | August 4, 2008 |

THE MISSION: RUN ONE MILE FOR EVERY SERVICE MEMBER KILLED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

Run for the Fallen raced through Clarksville Saturday, a little-heralded event that deserved far more attention than it received. Despite Saturday’s (August 2) oppressive heat and humidity, the runners, friends, family, military and former military honored their commitment to run one mile for every service member killed in Operation Freedom, running a route that traversed Fort Campbell Boulevard, and Riverside Drive before coming to a temporary halt at the Clarksville Jaycees adjacent to the fairgrounds, where welcomed refreshments including cold drinks and fresh fruit were provided.

Randall Holder displays his father's flag for Run for the Fallen racers

As the seemingly tireless runners arrived, they were greeted by cheers and applause from a small but enthusiastic group of Clarksvillians, including Clarksville online author Debbie Boen and a young man named Randall Holder. «Read the rest of this article»

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I. Are you ready for disaster? Assess your risk

August 4, 2008 |

Editors Note: We are offering a reprint of this five-part article, published on Daily Kos and originally published online by AlphaGeek {9.9.05}. From the diaries — Plutonium Page. The series offers a practical way to assess risk and prepare a variety of disaster scenarios. The series will appear chapter by chapter at 3 p.m. today through Friday.

Something bad is going to happen, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

Preparing to deal with a disaster is like going off of a ski jump. If you put off your planning until things start happening, it’s far too late to make much of a difference. Once you’re headed down that ski jump, the time for planning and preparation is over.

On the other hand, being prepared for disaster does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. In this multi-part series of DailyKos Diaries, I will share with you, dear reader, many of the lessons I’ve learned regarding the most effective ways to prepare for an emergency.

This is the first installment in a multi-part series on personal disaster preparedness. Your humble correspondent is a Silicon Valley technical executive with both professional and personal experience in risk assessment and disaster-readiness planning. Links to reference materials, including planning guides and reference information, will be found at the end of the final Diaries in this series. «Read the rest of this article»

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City, County to lower flags for monthly recognition of fallen troops

By Christine Anne Piesyk | August 4, 2008 |

Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper and Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers will have all local government flags lowered to half-staff on the second Wednesday of every month in remembrance and honor of the Fort Campbell soldiers that have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The day will coincide each month with the Eagle remembrance ceremony that is held at Fort Campbell.

This idea was presented to both Mayors’ by our local Military Affairs Committee as a way for our community to show our continued support for our soldiers and their families. Businesses and homeowners that have flagpoles are encouraged to also lower their flags to half-staff on the second Wednesday of each month starting on August 13th.

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Port Royal Homecoming: A family tradition

By Turner McCullough Jr. | August 4, 2008 |

Annual community celebration of family draws from far and near. Port Royal’s Benevolent Lodge hosts annual family gathering and homecoming.

The first Saturday in August is a time-cherished date for many families far and near to Clarksville. That day, no matter the date, is reserved for the largest Black Family Reunion event in Montgomery County. This year’s event proved itself up to par. The barbecue cooking started, as usual, on Friday afternoon and continued through to Saturday afternoon. Barbecue pulled pork, ribs, roasted lamb-mutton, fried fish, hot dogs, hamburgers, cole slaw, chips, ice cream cones, soft drinks and bottled water were the menu fare.

Down in the tree-lined grove, activities of all kinds were unfolding. Music, mainly old school R&B, soul and funk played across the rolling lodge grounds. An inflatable jumping castle was available for the younger set. Cake walk competitions drew lively participants and livelier observers and commentators. The home-made cakes ranged from caramel to upside-down pineapple and even chocolate layered cakes. In the cooling breeze of the grove, group dancing was enjoyed by young and old. «Read the rest of this article»

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Major General Irene Trowell-Harris keynotes WVA national convention in Nashville

By Turner McCullough Jr. | August 4, 2008 |

South Carolina native achieves national pinnacle, to address Women Veterans of America Convention

Major General (Dr.) Irene Trowell-Harris will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Women Veterans of America National Convention in Nashville, September 12-14th. She is the Director of the Center for Women Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Trowell-Harris will address the convention on Saturday, September 13. Nashville-Clarksville Chapter 20 will host this year’s convention.

General Trowell-Harris is a registered nurse with a diploma in nursing from Columbia Hospital, School of Nursing, a masters degree from Yale University, a doctorate from Columbia University and Flight Nurse Wings from the Aerospace School of Medicine.

In 1963, this South Carolina youth took an uncharted flight from the cotton fields of South Carolina to the pinnacle of success as a nurse, educator, military officer, mentor and role model. Her flight made unscheduled stops, ran into turbulence, reached unexpected heights and traveled internationally.

General Trowell-Harris was the first woman and female in National Guard History (in 349 years) to command a clinic; and the first African American woman in National Guard history (in 357 years) to become a general officer; the first person in National Guard history to have a Tuskegee Airmen Chapter (1998) and a Mentoring Award (1999) named in her honor. «Read the rest of this article»

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Baggett: “I am a vote for change”

August 4, 2008 |

Lewis Baggett, candidate for the Ward 5 City Council seat, met with potential constituents Saturday at Anchor Realty to present his take on the issues facing the city of Clarksville.

Referring to his candidacy, he says he is “your vote for change.” Topping his list of issues is redevelopment, which he maintains “should not be done on the backs of the public,” and he particularly the use of eminent domain as a tool ripe for abuse. TIF (Tax Incentive Financing), a critical component of the city’s redevelopment strategy, “is a serious mistake; each dollar diverted must be replaced by the people.” The whole process of eminent domain should not be done so that the city can maximize taxes, Baggett said.

Baggett takes issue with the “revisiting” of passed legislation that is subsequently found to be flawed, as the original redevelopment ordinance was. “If you don’t know (or aren’t sure), postpone.” He chastised city officials for not doing their homework before passing new legislation. «Read the rest of this article»

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