
James Howell | Jefferson Post
The VFW swore in their 2013-14 officers, which include (from right to left) Commander Ralph Poe, Senior Vice Commander Basil Watson, Junior Vice Commander John Gentry, Adjutant and Treasurer Roy Billings, Chaplain Tobe Gentry, Sergeant of Arms Charles Pugh, Officer of the Day Joe Gentry and Member Chairman Jim Bailey.
The Ashe County Disabled American Veterans (Chapter 80) celebrated a long-time member’s lifetime achievement award during a Monday meeting.
Marvin Greer, a World War II veteran from Ashe County, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the N.C. Department of Veterans Affairs on Saturday evening in Raleigh.
According to Ralph Poe, commander of the Ashe County DAV, Greer has been a member of the Ashe County chapter for several years, and despite his age, still does whatever he can to help other veterans.
“He does whatever he can to help his fellow veterans,” said Poe.
Poe joined Greer during his visit to Raleigh on Saturday to receive an award of his own, the Chapter Commander of the Year Award.
Poe has been a member of the Ashe County DAV since 1992 after serving in the military for 36 years, spending 30 years in the National Guard in Jefferson.
According to Poe, he received the Chapter Commander of the Year Award because the Ashe County DAV retained 100 percent membership through the entire year, setting them apart from other DAV chapters from North Carolina. Chapter 80 has also participated in military funerals and has visited veterans in rest homes in Ashe County.
Also, the Ashe County DAV provides van transport to state veterans’ hospitals throughout North Carolina to assist moving veterans to doctors appointments. These van trips visit Asheville, Salisbury, Johnson City, Tenn. and Roanoke, Va.
“We continually work hard to help our veterans,” said Poe.
This year, the Ashe County DAV raised approximately $13,000 for a new DAV van by soliciting fellow veterans, businesses and churches. The new van will be in the hands of Ashe County DAV in July.
“People have been very generous,” said Poe, “I would like to thank everyone who donated to this post.”
Chapter 80 member John Eldreth was also presented with a patriotism award for his service driving fellow veterans to hospitals. Eldreth was awarded a Purple Heart for his service in the Vietnam War.
During Monday’s meeting, the DAV swore in new officers for the 2013-14 year. The new officers were: Commander Ralph Poe, Senior Vice Commander Basil Watson, Junior Vice Commander John Gentry, Adjutant and Treasurer Roy Billings, Chaplain Tobe Gentry, Sergeant of Arms Charles Pugh, Officer of the Day Joe Gentry and Member Chairman Jim Bailey.
The Ashe County DAV meets at 6 p.m. every second Monday in the VFW building on Ashe Park Road. During each meeting, the group plans how they will move forward with new projects. Poe said the DAV is always looking for new members, and anyone interested can visit a DAV meeting for more information.


















