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As we approach Memorial Day this weekend, it seems appropriate to reflect a bit on Tullahoma’s military past, specifically Camp Forrest. Given the camp’s stated purpose to train soldiers for World War II, there is no doubt that a large number of men and women who trained at Camp Forrest and its associated Tennessee Maneuvers perished in the war.

Including the personnel on the Camp Forrest base, Tullahoma’s population swelled 16-fold over the time of Camp Forrest’s active existence, 1940-1945. The townspeople endured serious traffic issues and overcrowding, but also came to know many of the service members when they came into town for relaxation and shopping. We salute and honor the former Camp Forrest personnel who gave their lives in service of our country.

All of the photos shown here are from postcards, either unmailed or mailed from Camp Forrest, and showing the Camp Forrest postmark. The cards were sold at base exchanges and at several stores around town, including drug stores and Couch’s. These particular ones are either from my own collection, or that of Jimmy Walker.

If you have an interest in learning more about Camp Forrest, or in supporting its history’s availability, please check the Camp Forrest Foundation’s website at www.campforrestfoundation.org. Dr. Elizabeth Taylor heads that foundation and she has written two excellent books pertaining to the camp, Images of America – Camp Forrest and Voices of Camp Forrest in World War II. Both are available through the website, or locally at The Book Shelf or the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center. I own both and highly recommend them.

In addition to these weekly articles, I’m working on a pictorial book on Tullahoma history with Arcadia Publishing. Do you have stories and photos of old Tullahoma businesses, street scenes, or events that you would share? You can contact me at alanmayes@lighttube.net.