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Beauty and support for veterans went hand-in-hand in downtown Elizabethton on Saturday. 
Main Street Elizabethton, Elizabethton High School FFA, Keep Carter County Beautiful and the Veterans War Memorial Committee participated in the group collaboration. Groups teamed up to plant bulbs at the War Memorial. 
According to Courtney Washburn, director of Main Street, it all began when KCCB reached out using the Can You Dig It Grant to support Main Street’s design committee, which beautifies downtown.
“We planted the first batch of donations a month or so ago and then chose to plant this second batch in the memorial to support veterans, and FFA was available to help us,” explained Washburn. “So it was this big collaboration.”
Ed Jordan, president of KCCB, said he was thrilled with the partnership. 
“We are honored to partner with Main Street to continue to beautify our downtown. We look forward to future projects,” he said. 
The partnership involved youth being brought in as well. Members from Main Street attested Saturday’s events to a symbol of uniting the community. 
“Working with the Design Committee and bringing our youth to work in the Veterans Wall has been a great honor. This project has been a wonderful showcase of the strength and unity of our community,” said Vera Peters, Main Street Design Committee member. 
Those with Elizabethton High School’s FFA organization were proud to help. 
“It’s good to give back to my hometown and help the community,” said Kaitlyn Crowe, with the group. 
A wide variety of bulbs have been planted, including tulips, irises and daffodils. According to Washburn, the turnout for the planting was great. 
“Everyone was excited to volunteer and come together for our downtown community and veterans,” she said. 
From this collaboration, those with the Veterans War Memorial Committee truly did feel honored. 
“On behalf of the oversight committee of the War Memorial and Walk of Honor, we deeply appreciate the support and help from the volunteers and the joint community effort,” said Bill Carter, City Councilman and representative of the Veterans Memorial and Walk of Honor Committee. “These efforts reflect the patriotism of our community and allow us to honor our local Veterans.”