This month, VFW magazine continues its “Destination Post Series.” The series will feature 125 VFW Posts located in sought-after tourist destinations. Featured VFW Posts are those that make a real difference in the communities in which the Posts are located. This month’s article takes VFW magazine readers to the Memphis, Tennessee, area.
Overlooking the “Mighty Mississippi River,” Memphis is known as the home of the blues and the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll. Names such as Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King and of course, Elvis Presley, are synonymous with Memphis. The “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, was born just steps from the famous Stax Recording Studio.
Whether it is a night on Beale Street listening to live music or a trip to the Peabody Hotel to see the Peabody Mallards march from the elevator every morning at 11 a.m. for a daily swim in the fountain, or catching a Redbirds baseball game downtown, there is plenty to see in Memphis, making it a prime destination for tourists.
Just a short drive to the north of Memphis on U.S. Highway 51 is Millington, Tennessee, home of VFW Post 7175. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South also is in Millington. It serves as the Navy’s Human Resources Center of Excellence. Headquartered there are Navy Personnel Command, Navy Recruiting Command, the Navy Manpower Analysis Center, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Finance Center.
Post 7175 is a popular place among those serving at NSA Mid-South. Several of the Post’s members once served at the Navy base and returned to Millington following retirement and made the VFW part of their lives.
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While the Post’s members are active in their community, they know how to have a good time while raising funds to benefit the Post’s relief efforts. January’s Macaroni and Cheese Throwdown and the Post’s annual chili competition are two of the events drawing big crowds to support the Post. Members also host a carwash in exchange for donations benefiting the Post.
Live music from local groups such as the Whiskey Saints and Sneaky Pete draw Millington residents who fill the Post’s large parking lot. Friday steak nights, Taco Tuesdays and the Post’s annual crawfish boil also are popular with the community.
The Children’s Christmas Party at the Post is a favorite, as Santa delivers gifts to boys and girls up through 12 years old.
Millington Sea Cadets often partner with the Post, providing the Honor Guard for commemorative events such as remembering those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The Post’s large, picturesque lot includes picnic tables and a fire ring. It is the perfect location for community-wide cookouts.
Post 7175 Commander Steven Rossi said that the Millington Post is the only one in the county open seven days a week, and he believes that is a great benefit to the community.
“My favorite thing about this Post is that we are veterans helping veterans,” said Rossi, who served in the Army and Air Force for a combined total of 39 years. “The way we help veterans is the best.”
Post Quartermaster Earl Sheehan agrees that while people are drawn to the Post for a fun time, it is the community involvement he likes best.
“I really like it when we actually get out and help the veterans,” Sheehan said. “That is what we are here to do.”
Incoming Post Commander Tuck Williams served at NSA Mid-South three different times in his more than 30 years in the Navy – including serving on eight ships over nearly 14 years. He joined the VFW, he said, because he wanted to continue to serve.
“Countless times, vets call about someone needing help, and we answer that call,” said Williams. “We have an amazing community here.”
Williams noted one time a young man stopped in the Post and was on his way to see his dying father. He was out of money. The Post provided him with a place to stay and passed the hat so that he had enough money to travel to his father and see him before he died.
“The generosity of the people here is really something,” Williams said.
Like Williams’ reason for joining, new VFW member Qunita Triplett, a retired Navy master chief, joined to continue her service.
“I wanted to give back, so I joined,” said Triplett, who served more than 22 years in the Navy. “I just felt the need to continue serving in some way.”
Be sure to follow VFW Post 7175 on Facebook at Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 7175. If you happen to be in the Memphis area, stop in at the Post at 4681 Cuba Millington Rd.
This article is featured in the 2024 June/July issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor for VFW magazine.