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Notice to All Residents Mr. Williams went to Washington on May 12
Neighbor Kristi Lanford and her 10-year old son, Caleb, shared an experience they will long remember. They were among thousands of family and friends from Mobile and Baldwin Counties, who came to Mobile Regional Airport to welcome and honor these men and women. Along with a pep rally, rock concert and red carpet experience, the high school bands, cheerleaders, youth groups, Cub Scout groups serenaded the vets and cheered them as they walked through the airport concourse. For Kristi and her son, it was a very emotional and ‘awesome’ experience, watching these men and women walk down a gauntlet of cheering and grateful crowd who say “thanks for service” many times over.
Her son gets up at 6:30 a.m. each morning to help Ben work in his garden. When the gardening is done, they go fishing along the riverbank in the back of Mr. Ben’s home in Pirate’s Cove. Honor Fight South Alabama When the dual forces of war threatened our way of life, men and women enlisted by the hundreds of thousands, fought, and won both wars while enduring great hardship and personal sacrifice. Then these veterans came home, started families and careers and paved the way to build a great nation. Our greatest generation is in their golden-plus years.
Honor Flight South Alabama (HFSA) is a non-profit program directed by Barry Booth to recognize and honor the tremendous service and sacrifices of America’s “Greatest Generation,” our World War II (WWII) Veterans. HFSA flies these American heroes to Washington, DC, to visit and reflect at their memorial. The WW II Memorial was not dedicated until April 2004, nearly 60 years after the end of the war; therefore, there are MANY Veterans who have not had the opportunity or the resources to see their country’s tribute to their bravery. HFSA removes any obstacles by chartering a fully-staffed airplane, with medical professionals and equipment, providing volunteer “Guardians” to accompany and assist each veteran, and funds travel for all WWII veterans who are aboard the fight. Guardians are individuals who travel with Honor Flight veterans to provide support and assistance to the veterans as if they were their own family members. Guardians are required to pay their own way and are selected based on an interview. Honor Flight South Alabama seeks public and private donations to make this most worthy mission possible, so that those aging vets who are still here may have an opportunity to travel to DC to see the memorials. The Honor Flight program was conceived by Earl Morse, a Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, to honor veterans he has taken care of for the past 27 years. Honor Flight originated in Ohio in May 2005 with six small planes flying 12 WW II veterans from Springfield to Washington, DC. In 2006, with a waiting list of veterans expanding rapidly, commercial airline carriers were used to accommodate as many veterans as possible, as quickly as possible. Partnering with Honor Air in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Hero Flight in Provo, Utah, the “Honor Flight Network” was formed and began aggressively expanding programs to other cities across the nation. Honor Flight South Alabama, a hub affiliated with the national network was founded by the South Alabama Veterans’ Council. A cadre of dedicated volunteers assembled and organized, and Senator Jeff Sessions and Congressman Jo Bonner graciously agreed to co-chair the HFSA Board of Trustees. The founding sponsor and “Medal of Honor” level donor, Springhill Medical Center, has joined the effort providing myriad resources bringing Honor Flight South Alabama into existence. Donations are needed to cover costs for the next 2 or 3 trips. Whether by donating money, time, or just going to the airport for the next welcome home celebration, find a way to be become involved with this cause — enrich and change your life. For more information, or if to support this cause, call 251-431-8621 or visit their website at honorflightsa.com. Bonfire on December 23, 2009 rollover to pause
Chickasaw Announces 2009 Parade Winners Councilwoman Jennifer White announced on Tuesday evening at the city council meeting the winners of the 2009 Chickasaw Christmas Parade competition: 1st place: Chickasaw School of Math & Science; 2nd place: First Baptist Church of Chickasaw; 3rd Place: Chickasaw United Methodist Church. Pictured above to receive the cash awards are from left to right: Kay Alexander, Chickasaw United Methodist Church, councilwoman Jennifer White; and Dr. Henry Creel, First Baptist Church of Chickasaw. Santa Brought Cheer to Christmas Parade
Tis the season when one visits the homes on the Chickasaw Council Approves Complete Streets Resolution The City of Chickasaw City Council approved a resolution to adopt the Complete Streets policy to consider as the city develops its community strategic plan for its future economic development growth and expansion at the December 8 council meeting. Chickasaw is the first community in Mobile County to adopt this resolution. Representatives from the Complete Streets initiative, spearheaded by Smart Coast, a nonprofit organization based in Fairhope, made a presentation to both the Chickasaw City Council and Planning Commission in November. "About one-third of the population does not drive, so if you are building your roads to only serve cars, then you are probably keeping a lot of people at home who would otherwise be out there participating in your economy," said Wendy Allen, co-director of Smart Coast. Complete Streets is a nationwide movement to ensure that community planners and engineers will consistently design roadways with all users in mind including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Today's cities and towns are an important part of the livability of all communities. However, too many streets are designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams. So, states, cities and towns across the United States are asking their planners and engineers to build road networks that are safer, more livable, and welcoming to everyone. Ingredients that are found on a complete street include sidewalks, bike lanes (or wide paved shoulders), special bus lanes, comfortable and accessible transit stops, frequent crossing opportunities, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, and more. Whether in a rural area or a highly urban area, both are designed to balance safety and convenience for everyone using the road. Complete Streets policy will improve safety, address climate change and oil dependence, and foster stronger communities, playing an important role in creating more livable and sustainable communities. For more information on Complete Streets, contact Smart Coast at (251) 928-2309. www.smartcoast.org
Coastal Cleanup in Chickasaw
Former Chickasaw citizens get together at 17th reunion held in July at the McConnell Civic Center. Click to read article from Mobile Press-Register, Sept. 5 edition 2009 July 4th Celebration Slideshow Rescuers save men who fall into Mobile River after boat hits log Several people, including workers at a Mobile boat refueling company and three more testing a newly acquired Chickasaw police vessel, teamed up to rescue two bass fishermen from the Mobile River after an accident Thursday afternoon. Click here to read about the outstanding work of our brave police and fire officers. Vehicle Safety Checkpoint Conducted by Chickasaw Police “We find more people driving without insurance when we conduct these checkpoints,” said Sgt. Brad Penton, supervising officer. First historical interior plaque presented to
Ms. Mignonne Smith, a homeowner in the Chickasaw East Village was awarded a historical building plaque for the interior of her home, which is now designated the NORSWORTHY-SMITH Home, by the Chickasaw Historical Preservation Society at the East Village Community Day on June 13. The house was built in 1919 and the interior has retained enough of the original design that this plaque was awarded. City Employee Wins Breakfast with 95KSJ Dan and Shelby
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Long-time Chickasaw resident Ben Williams was aboard Honor Flight III that left Mobile on Wednesday, May 12, with 91 other veterans who flew to Washington D.C. to see the WW II memorials dedicated to this generation of heroes' military service. The passengers, all 85-plus years of age, along with guardians, who are assigned to assist 1-3 veterans during the trip, and medics left early. Active military men and women greeted the contingency upon arrival in Washington, assisted them while in the Capital city, and on their return to Mobile. 
“We cheered the loudest for Mr. Ben, but stayed for all 92 to walk by because we were riveted to this experience of honoring our country and its servicemen, said Kristi Lanford. “I am so proud of our country and our city and would highly recommend attending this event, whether you know someone on an honor flight or not,” concluded Lanford.
With many veterans over 85, the mission to fly these heroes to our nation’s Capitol is critical. We are losing WW II veterans every day. Many have financial or medical challenges in making a trip; the veterans travel free through Honor Flight South Alabama. They are able tour the memorials constructed in honor of their service. The flight, tour, and meals are provided at no cost to the Veteran. Flights depart Mobile in the early morning and land in the Washington D.C. area mid-morning. Veterans tour the memorials, eat lunch, and return to Mobile in the early evening. WW II Veterans complete an application and are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis based on the date of their application and the program's ability to meet the support needs of the applicant. Exceptions are made for terminally ill or last chance veterans.
The rain stayed away on Saturday, Dec. 19, while 70 units formed the Chickasaw Christmas parade that made its way down Highway 43 amidst a crowd of over 3,000 people. Children and their parents gathered to vie for candy and stuffed animals thrown by the parade participants. Local organizations, antique vehicles, floats of all types and sizes and the holiday sounds of the Vigor High School marching band brought smiles to the faces of young and old kids alike. Led by Chief Mike Reynolds and "Citizen of the Year" Barbara Pulliam, Mayor and Mrs. Pittman and city council members, as well as community leaders enjoyed a day of sunshine and wonderful weather. The parade was coordinated by Kathy Couey, parks and recreation director. 
The Chickasaw Police Department conducted a driver’s license and vehicle safety checkpoint on Friday, June 26, from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. at the intersections of South Craft Highway and 12th Avenue and West Lee Street and Grand Blvd. Fifteen full-time and reserve officers participated in the activity.
Theresa Richardson, City of Chickasaw court employee, won “Breakfast with Dan and Shelby” from 95KSJ morning show Wednesday, May 27. Dan and Shelby arrived at City Hall around 10 a.m. and brought a pastry collection breakfast from Atlanta Bread Company for city employees. Pictured are Theresa with Dan and Shelby. Congratulations Theresa! Thanks Dan and Shelby for breakfast.