On Friday, June 12th the Noon Rotary Club of Brentwood met to award the annual Community Service Award. This year the award was presented to Mr. James Madison Bates.
The recipient of the Community Service Award is chosen based on the criteria of someone who has lived and conducted themselves personally, and professionally by the Rotary 4-Way Test; someone who has high moral character and ethical standards; demonstrated community leadership for at least twenty years, and someone who is recognized most by Rotary Members and the Community as a major contributor to the growth and quality of life in Brentwood.
“We view this award as our way of recognizing those people in our community who, through their contributions placing service above self, have helped shape our city and provided a positive impact on the quality of life,” shared Devin McClendon, Club President.
City Commissioner and former Mayor, Betsy Crossley explained,”Recognizing Col. Jim Bates this last week was so humbling. It was a personal honor to deliver our Proclamation from the City of Brentwood recognizing his extraordinary contributions to our nation and to our community. Representing the Greatest Generation he is, indeed, a true patriot and hero!”
Mr. Bates has lived a life serving, here is his story. May we all strive to live a life exemplified by Bates:
Jim Bates was born in Kimmins, Tennessee, Lewis County in 1921 to Zollie and Addie Bates. As a young man he delivered newspapers to help support his family. Joining the National Guard in Hickman County, his unit was called into action at the outbreak of WWII. Pre-deployment training took place in Arkansas as Camp Chaffee.
While training in Arkansas he met and married the love of his life, Rubye Powell who he always called Holly. Mr. Bates and his beloved Holly were married 72 years. Soon after their marriage his unit received its orders and he headed off to North Africa. Before leaving, he graduated from Officers Candidate School as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
In the European theatre he was involved in campaigns from Africa to Italy to France. Lt Bates distinguished himself in battle earning both promotions and commendations for valor in the face of the enemy, including two Bronze Stars – Legion of Merit – Army Commendation Ribbon – European Theatre – European Campaign Medal – and a Silver Star.
In the fall of 1944 in eastern France while traveling to a forward observation post, he was captured by a German patrol in an attack that killed his driver. He was held captive in a prisoner of war camp located in present day Poland. As the Russian Army advanced westward, the Germans were forced to continuously relocate the POW camp further from the advancing Russians. It was during this time that now Captain Bates escaped and started his long walk through Russia until he was able to locate and board an Allied ship docked at Odessa on the Black Sea to expedite his trip home. By the time Captain Bates made it back to the states, Berlin had fallen.
James Bates continued to serve his country in post-war Germany, the Korean War and returning to post-war Korea where he commanded over 2,500 troops guarding the DMZ between North and South Korea. For his efforts in Korea he was awarded the Korean Service Medal.
While stationed in Korea and later in Greece, Col. Bates took every opportunity to work with and support the area’s faith based orphanages.
After Korea, his service was needed to prepare men for the Vietnam conflict. In addition he was called on to brief the National Security Council (White House – Congress – State Dept.) while based at the Pentagon.
In 1969, after 30 years of military service, Col Bates retired from the Army and moved back to Tennessee…. but his life of service was far from finished.
Colonel Bates earned his BS degree in Government and Politics at the University of Maryland and his MS in International Affairs at George Washington University. He taught Government and Politics at Southeastern University in Washington DC, later at the University of Maryland, and finally at the University of Tennessee at Nashville.
Jim Bates accepted a position with First American National Bank (now Regions Bank) in Nashville as a Trust Officer where he would retire as Vice President.
Mr. Bates served as past-president of the Green Hills Kiwanis Club, and the Retired Officers Association and Parent Teacher Associations in both Athens, Greece and Kentucky.
During the past 45 years, Bates served as the unofficial “welcome wagon” for the city of Brentwood providing a warm smile, information and counsel to countless new-comers to the city. Mr. Bates formed a breakfast group at Noble’s Corner which provided fellowship to many and welcomed countless incoming residents of Davidson and Williamson Counties to the area. Whether you were looking for a doctor, dentist, accountant or a barber, a mechanic or ice cream stand, Mr. Bates would make the contact for you. This breakfast group still meets today but at Chick-fil-A on Mondays.
Whether serving in leadership positions in community service organizations like the Kiwanis Club, or helping to start churches like Christ Presbyterian and Covenant Presbyterian, Jim Bates continues to live a life directed by a servant’s heart.
Congratulations to Mr. Jim Bates and thank you for a lifetime of service. Much thought and consideration goes into selecting a recipient.
Past Recipients Include: Brentwood Police Captain, Tommy Campsey; Former Mayor, City Commissioner and current County Commissioner Tom Bain; Principal and Educator, James Parker; Past City Manager, Mike Walker; Community servant and small business owner, Rhea Little, Jr.; Boy Scout Troop Leader and community servant, Billy Jim Vaughn; Community servant and small business owner, Glenn Huff.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Brentwood, please click here.
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