Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving all come to mind when we think of this time of year. As we work on our first article since knowing that the Konnection is now the Legacy, Charlene & I look back and count the years, 21 of them, when we wrote the first article for the Konnection. We attended our first ever RV rally, our first ever Newmar rally, Newmar Kountry Klub International Rally in Gillette, Wyoming, in June 2000. Tennessee had no chapter, no state director, no leader. John & Ronnie Walker were the Region Five Directors at the time, the Wilson’s were the International Directors. To tell you the truth, I don’t remember how it all came together, but you will just have to believe my story as Charlene & I are the only remaining Tennessee couple (13 original), that formed Chapter 72 and are still in the Klub. By the way we are still driving the same coach. I can remember at that time Gillette did not have all the nice buildings they have today. I remember eating inside in shifts because no building was large enough to seat all of us at one time. All of our group gatherings were outside in the grandstand. I remember at the opening ceremony when they were announcing the states, the MC called “Tennessee,” ”No Chapter,” and started with the next state and someone called out, ”Is Tennessee a State?”
Not Funny, I thought, but a lot of people laughed. John Walker took the bait, and, knowing he had 13 coaches from Tennessee, called us all together the next day and explained we had enough there to form a chapter. Long story short “NO ONE” would volunteer to fill an office. I looked at Charlene, she looked at me, and I put my hand up, and we were appointed President and Secretary/Treasurer by acclamation. We had no idea what we were getting into, but here we are today as part of the “Legacy.” We began writing our monthly, the Konnection was monthly at that time, articles as Chapter President. At that time there was no Tennessee State Director. As we grew the Chapter membership, we reached a number big enough to split the Chapter to have two chapters. That did not happen, but we were appointed as State Directors and continued to write our monthly articles until 2006 when we stepped down. In 2014 we again were appointed Tennessee State Directors and are honored to write now for the Legacy.
Enough history, on to looking forward to the Region Five Rally in Dillard, Georgia hosted by our wonderful Hosts, Region Directors Gary & Wanda Smith, and co-hosted by Tri-State Directors Jim & Barb Watson. This is a beautiful area of North Georgia any time of the year, but we should have beautiful fall colors to fill the trees.
I mentioned at the beginning what October/November brings to mind. I really don’t think much of Halloween because October 29, 1965 I had my first date with 1st LT Charlene Bagent (now Mrs Budd), and that was Halloween Day 1965.
November 11 is the day each year to honor living Honorably Discharged Veterans of all branches of the Armed Forces for their service. Take the time to Honor them. Remember there is a distinct difference between Memorial Day where we Honor those who died while in Military service, and Armed Forces Day we honor those serving actively in the US Military.
Thanksgiving Day, a day which we all should celebrate every morning we wake up.
We will close with, Safe Travels and God Speed. We can be reached at 931-638-2015 or prbudd60@bellsouth.net.
Phil and Charlene Budd (9488-L)
Tennessee State Directors
