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HomeNewsClarksville-Montgomery County gathers together to honor Memorial Day

Clarksville-Montgomery County gathers together to honor Memorial Day

Montgomery County Veterans Service OrganizationClarksville, TN – The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday May 26th, at Veterans Memorial Park in Clarksville Tennessee.

The ceremony was opened by Frank Mir, the Director of the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization; who welcomed the dignitaries and attendees to the Memorial ceremony. The colors were posted by the 101st Airborne Division Honor Guard, and Stella McKnight backed up by the 101st Airborne Division band sang the national anthem. The Rev. Jodi McCullah the Executive Director of Soldiers and Families Embraced gave the Invocation.

Col. Karen M. Darnell gives the Memorial Day address at the 2014 Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony
Col. Karen M. Darnell gives the Memorial Day address at the 2014 Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony

Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers spoke first.

“Today we take time to reflect on all of those servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Mayor Bowers. “We are very fortunate to live in a military community where we get to know so many courageous men and women who serve our country on a personal level, and who dedicate their lives to preserving our freedom…”

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Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan and Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers talk to veterans at the 2014 Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony
Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan and Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers talk to veterans at the 2014 Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony
Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan gives her remarks
Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan gives her remarks

Bowers was followed by Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan.

“Memorial Day has a very special purpose; to remember the men and women who have given their lives for our country’s security, and for our liberty,” said McMillan.Ā  “Today we are reminded that freedom isn’t free. We hold these men and women in our hearts and memories because they made the ultimate sacrifice…”

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Then it was time for the guest speaker Col. Karen M. Darnell from the United States Air Force. She is currently serving as the state inspector general for the Tennessee National Guard. Darnell was an excellent speaker who gave her remarks with a mixture of force and compassion.

“I realize that I’m somewhat of an anomaly here in not being in a green uniform,Ā  but when it comes to the Department of Defense we are all purple; and when it comes to Memorial Day we are all red white and blue,” said Col. Darnell. “Inadequate gratitude is the feeling that I have every single Memorial Day. It is the feeling that I have for what President Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion…”

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The laying of the wreath
The laying of the wreath

After she finished speaking, Col. Darnell along with Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers and Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan laid the official wreath before the War Memorial which honors the memory of those soldiers, sailors, and airmen from Clarksville-Montgomery County who died in the service of their country. After placing the wreath they paused for a moment of silence and introspection.

After the laying of the official wreath, area veterans service organizations placed their own wreaths to commemorate the day.

Rev. McCullah then return to the podium to give the benediction. A bugler from the 101st Airborne Division band sounded the melancholy notes of taps.

The ceremony was closed out by remarks from Frank Mir.

“I cannot find the words to express the appreciation and gratitude to these brave men and women that we are here to memorialize,” said Mir.Ā  “Words cannot express the way we feel! We mourn with the family and friends of those we’ve lost and hope that they find comfort in knowing their loved ones died with honor…”

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Bill Larson
Bill Larson
Bill Larson isĀ  is politically and socially active in the community. Bill is a member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave. You can reach him via telephone at 931-249-0043 or via the email address below.
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