The annual Wilson County Concerned Citizens for Veterans Banquet will be Saturday, Nov. 3, in the East-West Building at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center/Wilson County Fairgrounds, celebrating the organization’s 22nd year.

The WCCC has been in existence since 1988 and has a banquet every year for the Veterans and their families of Wilson County. “We honor the Veterans with a little bit of joy, comfort and pride and recognition who have served these United States of America so faithfully, courageously and honorably,” said Betty Cantrell, a member of the WCCC.

Guest speaker this year is William J. (W.J.) Daniel, who retired from the U.S. Army. Born Aug. 4, 1931, in Nashville, Daniel entered the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 27, 1948, and served until 1953. He then entered the U.S. Army in March 1954 and served until February 1973. Daniel served most of his career as an Army and Air Force parachutist and was stationed in Okinawa, Korea, Germany, Lebanon and Vietnam. He was an Air Force Rescue Team Leader, Special Forces Medic, Surgeon’s Assistant, Male Nurse and Combat Medic.

After retiring from the Army, Daniel taught school for a short time in Smyrna. He then went to work for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs and served from 1974 until 2007. He was called out of retirement and returned to TDVA as a Consultant on Veterans Affairs. Daniel can be found daily at the Krystal Restaurant on Franklin Road in Nashville still trying to assist Veterans in obtaining benefits to which they are entitled.

Daniel holds degrees in Business Management, Nursing and Secretarial Science. He also is a travel agent and an insurance agent and owns his own Travel Agency. For more information, call him at 890-8173.

The Veterans Banquet is supported by the churches, businesses and civic organizations of Wilson County and surrounding areas.

Anyone who would like to donate to help honor the Veterans, send a check to Wilson County Concerned Citizens for Veterans at P.O. Box 572, Lebanon, TN 37088.