Topic: Memorial Day

Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus issues legislative wrap-up

May 28, 2009 |

The Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus has issued the following information though its weekly legislative report. Commendations were given via Senator Tim Barnes office to all high school graduates, recognizing their achievements and the support they have received from their families and friends.

Senator Barnes discussed the Memorial Day holiday, noting it is an especially significant day in his district. The presence of Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division makes the meaning of Memorial Day more readily visible and poignant. He urged all Americans to give reverence to this day. «Read the rest of this article»

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Memorial Day – In remembrance

By Tim Cash | May 25, 2009 |

Clarksville is a city that boasts a large contingent of soldiers and their families from the 101st Airborne Division and Special Operations Units. Additionally there are many veteran residents and their patrons.  As such, our community tends to have more sensitivity to those currently in harm’s way; and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice: the giving their lives for our freedom. Sadly, this cannot be said of most Americans.

As we celebrate Memorial Day this year, I hope that Americans will remember that there is more to this day than hot dogs and hamburgers. I truly hope that they remember, that as they celebrate with their family and friends, that many soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines stand in harm’s way, miles away from their families and friends. «Read the rest of this article»

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Absent, but not forgotten!

By Bill Larson | May 25, 2009 |

The Color guard approaches

It’s always a solemn occasion when a nation gathers to honor its soldiers, those who lived to come home, but even more importantly those who did not. There are 33 missing POW/MIA’s from the State of Tennessee. Each one was honored in a ceremony on Public Square in Clarksville this Sunday evening.

The Memorial Day Candle light vigil is held by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 396. This is the 20th consecutive year for the ceremony. It was first held in 1989, the same year the local chapter was chartered. The initial list contained a total of 43 names, since that time 9 comrades have found their way home, the latest in 2005.

The colors were posted as an honor guard of Montgomery Central High School JROTC Students stood a silent vigil around the war memorial on public square. Then a single chair representing all of the POW/MIA’s nationwide was placed in a position of honor before the audience. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a moment of silence was held. Then Rev. Elijah Oliver of delivered the invocation.

State Senator Tim Barnes was introduced and spoke a few words. «Read the rest of this article»

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Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Donelson National Cemetery

May 22, 2009 |

The Women Veterans of America, Chapter #20 at Fort Donelson National Cemetery on Memorial Day in 2008

The Women Veterans of America, Chapter #20, and the Women Veterans Network of the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, are honored to host the 2009 Fort Donelson National Battlefield and National Cemetery’s Memorial Day Ceremony.

On behalf of the National Park Service and Fort Donelson, all citizens are cordially invited to attend the ceremony, which will be held on Monday, May 25^th at 1:00 pm. «Read the rest of this article»

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Vietnam Veterans of America to hold Memorial Day candle light vigil

May 22, 2009 |

Remembering those who did not return

On Sunday May 24th at 7pm the Clarksville chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America will hold their annual Memorial Day candle light vigil on Public Square in Clarksville, TN. This vigil held in the honor of the Vietnam Veterans who have not returned home to Tennessee. We covered their  2008 vigil, if you would like to know what to expect. All are welcome to attend

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716TH MP Battalion to honor fallen on Memorial Day

May 22, 2009 |

Fort Campbell – Officers from the 716th Military Police Battalion from Fort Campbell will hold a Memorial Day Wreath Laying ceremony at the Nashville National Cemetery Monday at 9:15 a.m.

The ceremony is being held at the gravesite of former battalion commander, Lt. Col. Kim Orlando, who was killed in action in Karbala, Iraq, on October 16, 2003.

Concurrently, the noncommissioned officers and Soldiers of the 716th will hold a ceremony at Fort Campbell’s Memorial Park at the Don F. Pratt Museum, honoring the Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Bellavia and Sgt. Sean R. Grilley, also killed in action with Orlando.

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Unlit flame on July 4th a symptom, could it be Clarksville just does not care?

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 6, 2008 |

The Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire  aka the Eternal Flame was conspicuously AWOL on July 4th! Our Eternal Flame seems to spend most of its time unlit. What does this signify about our dedication to “Supporting Our Troops!”

As the Independence Day weekend moves on, the smoke from fireworks has dissipated and the residue from our recent fireworks show have been cleared away. The traffic jams cleared up, and we each go on our merry way. Yes, the city’s celebration was quite a sight. And as noted in previous coverage here, the Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire Eternal Flame Memorial was burning bright and strong at 11:30PM on July 3rd. The flags at City Hall were still sadly un-illuminated but the eternal flame did shine for that night. Hallelujah!!!

Alas, it was too good to last. It was not burning during the daylight hours on our nation’s birthday, and when the evening of July 4th dawned upon us the flame was still NOWHERE TO BE SEEN. It was AWOL again! We took date stamped photographs to verify this.

Are our public officials really committed to keeping our pledge to light the flame, and in doing so honoring our fallen military personnel? Or is this just a “showpiece” there only to be utilized during special promotions and city events? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events, News | 1 Comment »

Ft. Donelson Memorial Day service rained out; women vets “disappointed”

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 27, 2008 |

What was supposed to be the first sponsorship of its kind for Woman vVeterans of Tennessee was doused by downpours at the Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Cemetery on Monday. The rain failed to dampen the spirits of the servicewomen, who simply opened up dozens of red, white and blue umbrellas and kept on smiling.

“We’ll be back next year,” they promised.

It was to have the first time a women’s group hosted the event, in this case reflecting the combined efforts of the Women Veteran’s of America Chapter 20, the Women Veterans Network and VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. The women veterans reflect every branch of the armed forces except the Coast Guard. «Read the rest of this article»

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Memorial Day vigil honors Vietnam Vets

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 26, 2008 |

• Vietnam Vets honor POW-MIAs
• Rep. Joe Pitts addresses constituency
• “Eternal” Flame unlit on Memorial Day

One by one, as a bell tolled a single chime and the words “Absent, not forgotten” were spoken by people in the viewing stands, Vietnam veterans carried thirty-three empty chairs draped in the black and white POW-MIA logo, carrying the names of Tennessee soldiers still missing from the Vietnam War, to “center stage” and saluted.

To the side, another veteran lit a candle for each name called. Gery Ezell read the roster of the missing. Reverend Elijah Oliver gave the benediction for this vigil.

Dozens of Vietnam veterans and their families gathered in Public Square Sunday evening to honor their fallen comrades, Tennessee’s 33 POWs and MIAs of the Vietnam War. The event was sponsored by Chapter 396 of the Vietnam Veteran’s of America, who launched this annual service in 1989 when the fate of forty-three Tennessee soldier serving in Vietnam did not return. In the intervening years, 10 soldiers have been returned, the most recent in 2005. «Read the rest of this article»

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A simple thing proves to be beyond us!

By Turner McCullough Jr. | May 26, 2008 |

Lighting a flame is just too much to ask. Even during Memorial Day Weekend, the flame is out. Yet “We support the troops!” claims and stickers are everywhere. Who’s foolin’ who?

Yet another national observance dedicated to honoring the nation’s debt to its military forces, past and present, is upon us. Flags are flapping in the wind. Boy Scout Troops are preparing to descend upon various cemeteries to place small flags at veterans graves. Politicians gear up to make patriotic oratory praising America’s military forces and the noble sacrifices made by them and their families, past and present. Even the president has reminded us to remember the veterans as we celebrate this weekend. All of these annual gestures of reverence are expected and applauded

But there is an affront to all this staged posturing in our community. For quite some time now, Clarksville has been playing footloose and cheap with its symbolic gesture to military honor and sacrifice- the eternal flame on Public Square. The flame has been unlit for most of this year. Citizen inquiries have resulted in a myriad of replies, to include being told that, “Surely, the wind must have just blown it out!”

«Read the rest of this article»

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