Born and raised in Tennessee, Tressa Bush has always been drawn to the past. Not just the well-known history found in textbooks, but the hidden stories buried in small towns, quiet fields, and weathered landmarks. That curiosity never faded. It led her to a career uncovering and preserving the history of Wilson County, where she has dedicated years to bringing its rich past to life.

From her work in Wilson County to her leadership in the Smith County Historical Tourism Society, Bush has made it her mission to keep history alive. But one chapter of Tennessee’s past has captivated her more than any other—the Tennessee Maneuvers. These massive military training exercises during World War II shaped not just the soldiers who passed through but the very communities they touched.

Bush has spent years documenting Wilson County’s history. From her time at the Wilson County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau to her work with Wilson County Television, she has made it her goal to educate and engage the community. She has written press releases, produced live broadcasts, and created original programming focused on local history. But her most remarkable work is her dedication to preserving the stories of the Tennessee Maneuvers—one of the most significant military training exercises in U.S. history.

The Tennessee Maneuvers were a series of field training exercises held from 1941 to 1944. More than 850,000 soldiers trained in Middle Tennessee, preparing for combat in World War II. Unlike traditional base training, these exercises took place in real-world conditions. Soldiers navigated rural roads, fields, rivers, and hills, simulating the unpredictable environments they would face in battle. Wilson County was at the heart of these operations, and Bush has worked tirelessly to ensure this history is not forgotten.

The About Insider article does an excellent job of illustrating the impact of these maneuvers. Cumberland University, for example, became the field headquarters for the training exercises. Soldiers and officers lived on campus, turning classrooms into strategic planning rooms and sports fields into makeshift parking lots for military vehicles.

The university received funding from the War Department, which helped keep the institution afloat during difficult times.

Beyond Cumberland University, the maneuvers touched nearly every inch of Wilson County.

Local farms became training grounds. Farmers woke up to find their fields overrun with soldiers and military vehicles. Fences were knocked down, barns were repurposed as supply stations, and the sounds of gunfire from mock battles echoed through the countryside. While this disrupted daily life, it also forged deep connections between soldiers and locals.

Many servicemen rented rooms in residents’ homes, shopped at local stores, and built relationships that lasted long after the war. Some even married local women, laying the foundation for new families in the area.

The article also sheds light on one of the most tragic moments of the Tennessee Maneuvers—the Cumberland River disaster of 1944.

On the final night of training, 23 soldiers attempted to cross the river near Averitt’s Ferry. The waters were dangerously high due to recent rain, and the ferry master warned of the risk.

Despite this, the exercise proceeded. A boat carrying the soldiers capsized, and 21 men drowned. Their bodies, weighed down by heavy gear, were pulled under by the strong current. It was a devastating loss. These men had not yet seen combat, yet they gave their lives preparing for war.

Today, a memorial stands at Cumberland University to honor those who perished. Bush believes their story must be remembered.

In 2021, she founded the Smith County Historical Tourism Society, which focuses on preserving Tennessee’s past. She has been instrumental in organizing the upcoming 2025 Tennessee Maneuvers Remembered event. Scheduled for May 3, 2025, this event will bring history to life with reenactments, historical exhibits, and interactive experiences. Visitors will be able to see, hear, and even feel what life was like during these training exercises.

The Tennessee Maneuvers changed Wilson County. They brought new industries, new people, and a lasting sense of duty. Bush’s work reminds us that history is all around us, waiting to be uncovered and shared.

This article is a must-read for anyone who appreciates military history, local heritage, or the power of storytelling. It highlights Tressa Bush’s dedication to preserving history and shows how the echoes of yesterday still shape the world we know today.