Vet to Vet Tennessee

07/25/2025

We are pleased to announce our newest Veteran/Military Friendly Lead Congregation to the VMFC network, Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas.

Thank you, The Reverent & Rector Katie Leuba and Lay Leader John Chilstrom, for joining our mission. Blessings of good health.

VA telehealth and tele-counseling is available and a good way to help veterans who are isolated and alone during this crisis. Please click here to learn more about the VA's Video Connect Help Desk Support.

07/23/2025

Vet to Vet Tennessee was pleased to graduate a record number of JIVs (Justice Involved Veterans) today. Twelve veterans from different branches of the military successfully made it through the program and their charges will be dropped and their record expunged. We are so happy for them and appreciate the hard work that they put into completing the program.

07/23/2025

Another video of a JIV expressing how the program turned him around.

07/23/2025

Our graduating JIVs get to tell Judge Thomas how they have benefited from the program.

07/14/2025

Welcome, Trinity Episcopal Chruch, Portsmouth, VA

The Military Chaplains Association's Veteran/Military Congregation and Vet to Vet Tennessee are pleased to announce our newest Veteran/Military Friendly Lead Congregation to the VMFC network, Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, Virginia.

Thank you, Rector Grant Stokes and Lay Leader Harley Hartman, for joining our mission—blessings of good health.

The meeting is scheduled for 60 minutes and is co-hosted by MCA, Vet to Vet Tennessee, and the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew. Questions or suggestions are welcome!

If you have any questions before the VMFC Bootcamp, don't hesitate to get in touch with Stephen Stott, Sergeant Major, US Army (Retired), Deputy Director of Administration, MCA @ (803) 409-9519, or Ed Junod, Co-founder Vet to Vet TN and Strategic Partner of VMFC @865-865-8376. You can also visit MCA's VMFC website: https://vmfc-usa.org/
VA telehealth and tele-counseling are available and a good way to help veterans who are isolated and alone during this crisis.

You can click here to learn more about the VA's Video Connect Help Desk Support.

07/14/2025

Welcome St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Anchorage, KY
The Military Chaplains Association's Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation and Vet to Vet Tennessee are pleased to announce our newest Veteran/Military Friendly Lead Congregation to the VMFC network, Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, Virginia are happy to announce our newest Veteran/Military Friendly Lead Congregation to the VMFC network, Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, Anchorage, Kentucky.

Thank you, Rector Rev'd Benjamin Hart and Lay Leader Jeffrey Butcher, for joining our mission—blessings of good health.

If you are a member, a new member, or someone interested in the Military Chaplains Association (MCA), please join our free virtual Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation (VMFC) Boot Camp on July 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Our Bootcamp schedule is held every three months on the third Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Here is the link to the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83185932379?pwd=mq90WY44OQ6itCCzRl18eE9FIatqf9.1

The meeting is scheduled for 60 minutes and is co-hosted by MCA, Vet to Vet Tennessee, and the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew. Questions or suggestions are welcome! If you have any questions before the VMFC Bootcamp, don't hesitate to get in touch with Stephen Stott, Sergeant Major, US Army (Retired), Deputy Director of Administration, MCA @ (803) 409-9519, or Ed Junod, Co-founder Vet to Vet TN and Strategic Partner of VMFC @865-865-8376. You can also visit MCA's VMFC website: https://vmfc-usa.org/

VA telehealth and tele-counseling are available and a good way to help veterans who are isolated and alone during this crisis.

You can click here to learn more about the VA's Video Connect Help Desk Support.

07/12/2025

2025 Freddie J. Owens Memorial Civilian Recipient
Roxe M. Hurley began with Vet to Vet Tennessee (VTVT) as a supporter for her life partner (Lee), an Iraq War veteran in the Army, in the Monroe County Veterans Court on November 30, 2022.

Lee graduated from the Veterans Court Program on May 24, 2023, with the support of Roxe, the Department of Veterans Affairs in Chattanooga, Veterans Court Judge Dwaine B. Thomas, VTVT Veterans Court Mentor JD Phillips, VTVT, and Lee's zealous work.

Each was grateful for the life-changing program they decided to participate in, choosing to “Do Something” for VTVT. Then, Roxe and Lee trained and were approved to become Veterans Court Mentors. But they wanted to do more, and so they did. Roxe was nominated and elected as VTVT’s Secretary on November 18, 2023, and Lee as Treasurer on August 28, 2024.

Roxe broadened her participation in all the VTVT programs and excelled as Corporate Secretary and in VTVT outreach. Roxe is grateful, faithful, humble, kind, empathetic, and dedicated.

Our Chaplain and Veterans Court Mentor, Bob Goguen (U.S. Coast Guard), recommended Roxe for the 2025 award because of her remarkable gift to care for others. Selfless!

The board of directors voted unanimously to give Roxe M. Hurley the 2025 Freddie J. Owens Memorial Award. Randall Scott, VTVT President, presented the award to Roxe; everyone had tears in their eyes.

Thank you, Roxe M. Hurley, for being you! God blessed us with Freddie J. Owens and another protégé, Roxe M. Hurley. Roxe responded: I’m just me, a daughter of the King, and I want to bring glory to His kingdom.”

Click the link to hear Roxe read the award to the board of directors and mentors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnhR1dDKFM8

07/07/2025

"The Healing Mission: Faith, Veterans, and Community."

Several months ago, Ed Junod, Co-founder Vet to Vet Tennessee, met Dr. Chrisanne Gordon, Founder and Executive Director of the Resurrecting Lives Foundation, who was very interested in the Military Chaplains Association’s Veterans Military Friendly Congregation program.

Dr. Gordon asked me to be a guest on her “Brain Storm” podcast for the June 2025 episode. She and the production team were great, but I was not satisfied with the responses I received.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share the podcast, so I sent it to my immediate family and a few associates. Mainly hearing favorable comments, I was still uncertain until I received a text from my 28-year-old daughter.

Her text read:

“I think you should still post it on the site because it shows your interest and activity with other people and organizations. I think Freddy and your spirit team are excited to see your mission carried out. Especially since the host doctor mentioned that all spiritual beliefs are important for the mental health of veterans’ recovery, this society is getting torn apart by differences, so it seems this podcast is trying to remedy that spiritually.” Martina Rose Junod.

I sent my concerns and comments to Dr. Gordon, and I received the following response.

“You brought tears to my eyes!!!! You, like many veterans, are hypercritical of your authenticity. The podcast is a fantastic tribute to the forgiveness of self that is necessary for our veterans to overcome depression, isolation, and the burdens in their hearts, brains, and souls.

Thank you for sharing your message, time, and inspiration with me.

We are building a safe place of worship for your brothers and sisters who follow God's word here on earth.” Dr. Chrisanne Gordon

Thank you, Ed Junod, Co-founder, Vet to Vet Tennessee

Click below to view the “The Healing Mission: Veterans, Faith and Community” podcast.

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the Brainstorms Podcast, we sit down with Ed Dennard — a Vietnam veteran, community organizer, and co-founder o...

06/20/2025

Perry County Korean War Veteran Honored.

On March 26, 2025, Perry County Veteran Service Officer Dan Riley submitted the Korean War Ambassador for Peace application on behalf of Korean War veteran James Paul Andrews.

On March 26, at the Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 1123 of Perry County meeting, the Ambassador for Peace Medal was presented posthumously to Jimmy Andrews and his family members in honor of his father, United States Marine Corps Veteran James Paul Andrews. Jimmy's father fought in the Korean War and proudly served his Country in the United States Marine Corps from 1949 to 1955. James Paul Andrews died on March 26, 1990, at the age of 58.

VSO and VVA member Dan Riley read a letter from the South Korean government. VVA Vice President, Lindy N Hester, presented a framed certificate honoring Mr. Andrews's service in the Korean War. VVA President Dale Long presented the Ambassador for Peace Medals from the Government of the Republic of South Korea to the family.

06/20/2025

Korean War Army Veteran, Charles Hamilton, and Ruth Crowley attended the June 21, 2023, Korean War Luncheon Memorial hosted by the Knoxville Area Korean Association (KAKA).

Revist Korea by Charles Hamilton
During the luncheon, Vet to Vet Tennessee (VTVT) announced that the Republic of Korea is still offering an all-expenses-paid trip to Korea for five (5) days for eligible Korean War Veterans and their spouses or significant others to visit the country through the “Revisit Korea Program”.

On May 8, 2024, Mr. Hamilton received an email stating that he and Ruth had been approved for the Revisit Korea 2024 program, thanks to the assistance of KAKA President Gina Wilson, VTVT President Ed Junod, and Revisit Korea 2024 Administrator Jimyopung Kim.

Last Friday, we met with Charles and Ruth to hear about their adventure in Korea. The most frequent word we hear from them is “we were treated like royalty!”

Mr. Hamilton and Ruth will be attending this year’s 22nd Annual Korean War Luncheon Memorial. If you want to hear the rest of their story, he will be present during the luncheon. The journey of their lifetime!

June 21, 2025 – Korean Church Knoxville, 108 Farlow Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934 - It's free!

05/24/2025

Service & Sacrifice: Ambassador for Peace
A veteran of the war in Korea received a commemorative medal honoring his role in the war more than 70 years after his war service.

Author: John Becker, WBIR Published: 5:50 PM EDT May 22, 2025 Updated: 6:42 PM EDT May 22, 2025

As a teenager, Billie Riner recalls feeling shocked the country was about to enter another war.

“World War Two hadn’t been over just a little while when the Korean War broke out," said Riner.

At age 93, the veteran of 35 combat missions aboard a B-29 bomber received a commemorative medal to honor his service created by the government of South Korea.

"I guess I'm happy to know that people know I served in Korea now, and I got proof," said Riner, who received the medal in a ceremony earlier this spring in Jefferson County.

Click here to view John Becker's interview with Billie and Patrick Riner.

In addition to our on-camera interview about the medal and his memories of combat, Mr. Riner took time to answer the following 10 questions about the impact his military service had on the rest of his life.

Credit: John Becker

Billie Riner and his son Patrick who followed him into military service.

What one person influenced you most in life? I don't know. I don't know there was any one person that influenced me. Members of my family but I forged my own path.
Do you feel honored and respected for serving your country? Oh, yes.
How can people thank you for your service? Just let me be as I am. I appreciate your handshake.
How do you honor your fellow service men and women? Oh, I have a lot of respect for them, because I know what they go through, what they sacrifice and whatnot. There's a kinship there? Yes.
How do you think this generation of service men and women is different or similar to yours? Well, we all do the same thing, you know. So I guess I'd have to say it's very similar to mine, you know, if I had to go back, it'd be entirely different now to me, you know.
What influence did your military service have on the rest of your life? It had a great deal. It made me concentrate on whatever the job was. You know, I put effort into it.

Discipline and organization that you lived in the military extended to your civilian life? Yes, yes.

Does your family have a history of military service? My dad was in the Navy in World War One. There were some other family members that were in the military, but my dad's the one I remember most. My son followed me in the Air Force for a good while.
Would you encourage other members of your family to join the service? Yes, why would you say that? I think it's very good training.
Having served at war, has your opinion of war changed? Not really, I guess, because mine were flying time, you know, and knocked down on the ground where it was hand-to-hand more or less, you know, which would have been sort of brutal, I imagine.
Did your military experience shape your faith? I guess not…it didn’t

Mr. Riner's Ambassador for Peace Medal application was sent to Vet to Vet Tennessee by Jefferson County Veterans Service Officer Marissa King. If you know a Korean War Veterans (living or deceased) and you want to recognize a Korean War Veteran, please go to our Ambassador for Peace Medal page to learn more or to apply. There are no fees and the process can take less than two weeks. God bless America!

04/04/2025

New McNabb Military Services Center Therapist
On April 2, 2025, McNabb Military Services therapist Travis Miller replaced our friend and Therapist, Lou Danner. The transition was perfect! Travis had a full schedule at the Robert "Bob" Hatley Veterans Services Center, starting with his first justice-involved veteran from the Monroe County Veterans Court.

We are grateful for Lou's three-year service and for Travis's commitment to continue to perfect the record of the McNabb Military Services Center. Thank you, Jessica Carlton, MSSW, Assistant Director of Homeless and Recovery Services, for your continued support and services. Our Veterans Court Program, led by Monroe County Veterans Court Judge Thomas and Vet to Vet Tennessee, has achieved a remarkable recidivism rate of less than 5%, directly attributed to the services and care provided by McMilitary Services. God bless ya'll.

The photo was taken on Travis's first morning with Monroe County Veterans Service Officer Andy Boyd and the Vet to Vet Tennessee's team.