You have probably seen Tim French and his good friend Robert Batz walking around the Crossville area, carrying the American flag. Tim and Robert spoke at the last meeting of the 127 Seniors and shared with the members their passion for honoring our fallen heroes and bringing awareness to veterans’ issues.
If you see Tim and Robert walking with the flag, give them a honk to let them know you appreciate our veterans! On the flagpole, they carry a laminated picture of the veteran they are honoring on the walk. Tim is a veteran himself, having served in the Navy from 1980-1986. He comes from a family of heroes, as his father and two uncles served in World War II.
Since starting the walks to honor veterans in 2019, Tim has walked 7,150 miles on 880 walks, honoring 930 fallen heroes. On Tim’s website at iwalk4them.com, you can see pictures of the veterans that have been honored on walks, request a walk for a veteran, or donate to help veterans and their families. Tim once walked for 22 hours to bring awareness to veteran suicides, which average 22 per day, a heartbreaking statistic. The members wish to thank Tim for speaking at the meeting and sharing his passion for veterans’ issues.
The morning began with an early start for bingo at 9 a.m. The members wish to thank Chuck and Sharon Elgin for sponsoring the bingo prizes. Once bingo was finished, President Arlene Simmons held a short meeting to announce all the plans for the big 127 Corridor Sale, which is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the 127 Senior Center. The members have been collecting donations throughout the year to sell Aug. 1-3. Doors will open each day at 7 a.m.
The center relies on donations and fundraisers and does not receive any money from any state or federal agencies. Dues for membership are $15 per year and anyone aged 50 or over is welcome to join. The members hope all shoppers will stop by during the sale, which will include breakfast and lunch available for purchase, and an opportunity drawing for a beautiful quilt pieced by member Shirley Thomson.
During the meetings, members are encouraged to make announcements about events in Crossville, or share jokes, and member Leonard Hollender can always be counted on to share a very funny joke. Sunshine Lady Margaret Miller always lets the members know of anyone who is ill, so the members can be praying for them and checking on them. After every meeting, a delicious lunch is served which members can purchase for $5, prepared by volunteers who love to cook for crowds. Call the 127 Senior Center at 931-484-2547 if you would like more information on becoming a member or stop by Friday morning.