Paris, Tenn.–A group of Benton County Sheriff’s Office employees gathered at Darkhorse Lodge Monday afternoon to donate the proceeds of a recent competition for the combat veterans’ retreat.
Darkhorse Lodge is located in Springville and is being built by Kirk and Gretchen Catherwood in honor of their son and other members of the Marine Corps 3/5 Darkhorse unit who were killed in action in 2010. Their son is LCpl Alec Catherwood and all of the rooms at the Lodge will be named for the 25 men lost. The lodge is at no cost to the combat veterans.
Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher, Chief Deputies Jason Lowery and Mike Lockhart, employees Dora Warner and Allison Lambright gathered at Darkhorse Lodge along with the Catherwoods for the presentation of the $500 check. Kirk Catherwood also is a deputy at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Warner explained that employees of the sheriff’s office hold an annual “Biggest Loser”-style weight loss competition. Chief Deputy Mike Lockhart won the competition this year and all the money raised went to the Darkhorse Lodge.
Gretchen Catherwood said, “It was so nice to show some of Kirk’s work family around. Quite a bit has changed since Sheriff Christopher was here for the groundbreaking. Thank you all so much for giving us some of your time and a great deal of your heart.”
To learn more about the Lodge and how to donate, visit the Darkhorse Lodge Facebook page.
Photo: In photo, from left: Chief Deputy Lockhart, Allison Lambright, Gretchen and Kirk Catherwood, Chief Deputy Lowery, Sheriff Kenny Christopher, Dora Warner. Photo by Bobby Melton.