White Lightning Harley-Davidson holds 2023 Veteran’s Mission

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The 10th annual Veteran’s Mission was held at White Lightning Harley-Davidson this year.

“Veterans around the community come out and support each other. A lot of the vendors and everything are donating money to homeless veterans,” said Sales Manager for White Lightning Harley Davidson, Craig Nabors. “Also, veterans’ organizations such as Veterans Mission, in order to give back to the community and veterans in need of the same help.”

This event is held yearly to provide support for local veterans. It featured live, local music and vendors.

“Veterans, when they get out, have difficulty assimilating to society. And so, we have a lot of homeless veterans and things of that nature. So, we are trying to raise money to that and bring money to the VA,” explained Patrick Hogue with the U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club.

For Patrick Hogue, this event means something more.

“I have a lot of brothers out there who made the ultimate sacrifice. They’re not having the chance to be here, and we are losing too many after the war, after the conflict. So, this means a lot,” Hogue explained.

The organizers of this event want to make sure veterans do not feel forgotten.

“Myself, I have PTSD. A lot of my other brothers that are around here I know do. And to know that somebody is out there that gives that little extra help for us whereas a lot of veterans didn’t have, it means a lot to the veterans in the community. That they do have an extra helping hand,” Nabors said.

The event lasted from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on September 17.