CLARKSVILLE, TN – Mothers wear many hats, and some also wear uniforms and combat boots. Red River Republican Women visited the Brig. Gen. Wendell H. Gilbert Tennessee State Veteran’s Home Sunday to honor the facility’s female veterans, wives of veterans, and Gold Star wives.
Members brought food, drinks and a cake to honor the veterans and wives, and participated in a ceremony honoring women who served on Mother’s Day. They also visited individual residents’ rooms and greeted them, and all honorees received flowers and small gifts.
“It was such an honor to spend Mother’s Day with these veterans and their families and with the veterans home’s staff,” said Corinthia Elder, RRRW president. “They were so happy to see us and we enjoyed their company too.”
Elder said this was part of the club’s “Caring for America” project. It is an activity sanctioned by the National Federation of Republican Women.
One of the home’s volunteer chaplains, Bret Pickering opened the event with a prayer and a devotional. He said motherhood is “one of the great responsibilities God gives to women.”
Pickering said mothers raise up the next generation of leaders. He cited a verse in 2 Timothy where St. Paul commends young Timothy for his godly heritage saying he grew in his faith due to the loving guidance of his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois.
Lisa Hunt, activities director for the home, said she appreciated the RRRW’s contribution to the day’s activities. “This place is full of life,” she said. “We just try to do what we can do to make these days special. “They appreciate it. They really do.”
The ceremony had special significance, Hunt said since it fell during National Nursing Home Week. It gave the residents something extra to celebrate.
For one female veteran, it was also a special day. Eve Smith is just a few days shy of her 95th Birthday. She was joined by her family for the occasion.
After the ceremony, members organized a game of bingo for residents. They helped the members ensure they marked their cards and later handed out our prizes.
Elder said club members are always looking for a way to do good things in the community. Community service is a large part of the club’s function.
Many club members donated gifts, flowers and drinks. Madison Street Chick-Fil-A also donated food for the event while Clarksville Civitan Club donated drinks. The Red, White, and Blue group (RWB) assisted with BINGO.
For more information about Red River Republican Women, check out their website at www.redriverrepublicanwomen.com (http://www.redriverrepublicanwomen.com/).
They can also be found on Facebook.