[500] MTSU's Newton to Receive AMVETS Silver Bayonet Service Award

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
MTSU TMSTEC contact: Lee Ann Newton, 615-904-8573 or lnewton@mtsu.edu

MTSU’s Newton to Receive AMVETS Silver Bayonet Service Award
Earned for Role in Operation Christmas Care Project for ‘Wounded Warriors’

(MURFREESBORO) — Lee Ann Newton of Murfreesboro, an executive aide in MTSU’s Tennessee Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center, will receive the AMVET’s highest award of the Silver Bayonet for veteran service, the organization announced.
The award will be presented on Saturday, June 11, at 9 a.m. CDT during the joint opening ceremony of AMVETS and Ladies Auxiliary members’ annual state convention at Glenstone Lodge in Gatlinburg.
Newton is being recognized for her role in founding Operation Christmas Care each year. Operation Christmas Care is a collection of cards that are “for our wounded warriors,” she said, adding that she learned she would be receiving the honor April 6.
“It is successful by and large to the wonderful people who work and attend MTSU,” Newton said. “I have been honored to receive this award. But it is not only I who deserves credit, but everyone who participated.”
Operation Christmas Care annually kicks off in October as volunteers begin collecting thousands of cards from their friends, co-workers and churches in the community. Newton began this in 2006 with a collection of 700 cards. It grew to 13,000-plus cards collected and sent to Brooks Army Medical Center/Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, in 2011.
2010 saw an amazing outgrowth with more than 800 pounds of cards and gifts shipped to “wounded warriors, and Newton said she is working diligently to grow the program to include more military hospitals this year.
AMVETS Post Commander William G. Edwards and the membership of Post 45 in Paris placed Newton’s name in nomination, said Kenneth E. Byford, department commander for the state headquarters in Chattanooga. Past Post Commander John Deluca will present the award to her.
Newton’s website, “Uncle Sam’s Heroes – Lest We Forget …,” can be found at http://unclesamsheroes.com/lest-we-forget-blog.html.

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Note: A high-resolution jpeg photo of Lee Ann Newton is available. Contact Randy Weiler at 615-898-5616, 898-2919 or email jweiler@mtsu.edu to obtain.

In Brief

MTSU employee Lee Ann Newton of Murfreesboro has been selected to receive the AMVETS highest award, the prestigious Silver Bayonet Veterans Service Award for 2011, the organization announced. The award will be presented at 10 a.m. EDT in Gatlinburg during the AMVETS annual state convention at Glenstone Lodge. Newton is being recognized for her role in Operation Christmas Care, a collection of Christmas cards that are “for our wounded warriors,” she said. Newton is an executive aide in the Tennessee Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center.


Founded in 1911, Middle Tennessee State University is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution located in Murfreesboro and is the state’s largest public undergraduate institution. In September 2011, MTSU will celebrate its 100th year anniversary with special events and activities throughout the year — kicked off by a Blue-Tie Centennial Gala on Friday, Sept. 9.

For MTSU news and information, go online to mtsunews.com.