Jefferson County native and long-time volunteer Chad Christian Rogers recently received the 2017 Georgia Military College Community Service Award, given to an alumnus for “exemplary community service, having an impact on the quality of life of others.”
Rogers serves on the Mossy Creek Foundation Board, where his expertise has been instrumental in establishing the new Veteran’s Plaza in historic downtown Jefferson City.
“Chad is a dedicated retired Army veteran who has helped with every veteran’s ceremony at the new Mossy Creek Station Veteran’s Plaza since we began the project, “ said Kay O’Brien, President of the Mossy Creek Foundation. “He makes all the contacts to be sure we follow the appropriate protocol.”
Rogers didn’t sign up to volunteer. He set his sights on a 30-year Army career.
However, his last active duty tour in Iraq was cut short after only 17 years of service. In 2011, he was medically evacuated to Germany and then to Fort Gordon, Georgia for multiple surgeries and recovery time. Just three years ago, Sgt. Rogers received a medical retirement from active duty.
“When Chad retired, he had post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and wanted to volunteer to help out other vets,” explains his mom, Linda Rogers. “He got busy volunteering at home wherever he saw the need.”
His list of ongoing volunteer activities is so extensive, one might question how he has the time to squeeze it all in.
After the devastating 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires, Rogers was actively involved in disaster relief efforts through the Red Cross, All Hands Volunteers, and disaster response veterans of Team Rubicon.
Rogers also volunteers for Club VIBES (Visually Impaired and Blind Enhancement Services), Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, and serves as the Adjutant for both his local American Legion and VFW Posts.
He also holds positions for his two alma maters – the University of Tennessee and Georgia Military College (GMC). At UT, Rogers is the Chair of the Chapter Advisory for his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta and for GMC he is on the Alumni Board of Directors.
Rogers is now entering the season to raise money to provide wreaths for veteran’s graves for the national Wreaths Across America program. He serves as the coordinator for the Knoxville National Cemetery with over 9,000 graves. On December 16, this large cemetery will hold the annual wreath laying ceremony.
“The community service award was given by GMC, but we are all proud of Chad’s volunteer work right here in Jefferson County,” notes Linda.
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