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Veterans Day is a day to pay tribute to those who have served this country. That is just what was done on Wednesday.
Sen. Rusty Crowe celebrated Veterans Day at the Veterans Walk of Honor in Elizabethton on Wednesday.
Crowe participated in the Veterans Day Walk of Honor Flags Ceremony. In this ceremony, flags representing each branch of the service will be presented, as well as one honoring POWs and MIAs.
“This is something we look forward to every year,” said Crowe. “I think it’s important, especially for young people, to understand the value of our veterans, who are one of the main reasons we have the freedoms  we have today.”
Crowe is a Vietnam War Veteran. His uncle, Dewey Crowe, whose name appears on the Elizabethton/Carter County Veterans Memorial, went missing in action in a P-38 Lightning Fighter Aircraft over Kiska Island fighting the Japanese in September of 1942.
“I am very proud to memorialize our veterans from each branch of service with their own flag to be raised in their honor,” said Sen. Crowe. “Our veterans cared more for our freedom and liberty than they did even their own lives. It is fitting that we honor them through on this Veterans Day 2020 by recognizing their service and sacrifices to secure the freedoms we enjoy.”
Crowe said this ceremony was the least that could be done for veterans.
“This is the least we can do, to honor each of our veterans with a new flag for each of their branches of service,” he said. “I bring the flags from Nashville and we change them out every year.”
In past ceremonies, ROTC or youth groups participate in the ceremony, however due to COVID-19 they did not this year.
“It’s so different this year,” said Crowe.
It all began back in 1999 with the Carter County Veterans War Memorial Committee and founding members like Deacon Bowers. Bowers is a Korean War Veteran.
“I don’t think we can do enough for the veterans of this country,” said Bowers.
Bowers enlisted in the National Guard when he was just 13 years old. He was kicked out when he was discovered to be underage. He enlisted six months later at age 14 in the Marine Corps before again being kicked out for being underage. He joined the United States Army when he was 15. Bowers celebrated his sweet 16 in Korea.
Bowers, who was thankful for all the work Crowe has contributed to this ceremony over the years, explained that without veterans, we would not be where we are now.
“Veterans are number one in my book, because if it hadn’t been for them and what they’ve done, there wouldn’t be a one of us here today enjoying the freedoms we enjoy,” said Bowers.