TELLICO VILLAGE, Tenn. — On the fourth Wednesday of every month, Tellico Village residents and others gather at The Yacht Club at Tellico Village for the military history roundtable.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on those Wednesdays, moderators — such as retired U.S. Army member Mike Thornton — give people in attendance a dive into some important dates and moments within the history of the U.S. military.
“We talk about current military history and many different topics,” Thornton said. “It can be about the Civil War or the Korean conflict.”
ROOSEVELT AND THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
On Wednesday, June 25, the topic was the Spanish-American War and the importance of former U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt.
The presentation Thornton gave included information about “yellow journalism” and the sensationalization of wartime activity, Roosevelt’s life and his influence on foreign policy, and the many battles of the Spanish-American War itself.
The roundtable began with a discussion about yellow journalism and its effects with examples thrown around such as the sinking of the U.S.S Maine in Havana, Cuba.
Then, the talk shifted to the grim day in young Roosevelt's life when the former president's wife and mother both died on the same day. This fueled his future bombastic personality.
There was even talk about how Tampa, Fla. was used by US troops in the Spanish-American War conflict. Many troops, including Roosevelt and the Roughriders, used Tampa as a means to get to Cuba.
The retired member of the U.S. Army detailed what he hoped people would get out of these roundtables.
“I teach history at Roane State,” said Thornton. “So, I always like it when people want to know more.
“We always have recommended reading with some books people can look at. I just want people to know about their American background and heritage while having fun.
That is the goal.”
‘EVERY MONTH THE CROWD DOUBLED EVERY MONTH’
The military history roundtables have been ongoing for two years. They were first held at the Chota recreation center in a small classroom.
As the crowds got larger, the event was shifted to the Yacht Club at Tellico Village.
“Every month, the crowd doubled,” Thornton said. “So, we moved it here [the Yacht Club] because we ran out of space.”
As a reminder, folks are invited to attend the military history roundtables that occur on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Yacht Club at Tellico Village.
The event happens 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and is free of charge. … The event will not be happening in July, but will resume on the fourth Wednesday of August.
To see when the roundtables are happening along with other Tellico Village events, you can visit tellicolife.org for an event calendar.
