Memorial Day ceremony honors Carter Countians killed in military conflicts
Published 4:46 pm Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Andy Wetzel with the Veteran Oversight Committee speaks with Tennessee State Senator Rusty Crowe.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Veteran Oversight Committee chairman Bill Carter welcomes everyone to the Memorial Day Ceremony.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/A MIA-POW table was set up in remembrance of all those who didn't return home from combat duty.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/A new ceramic art piece was unveiled prior to the Memorial Day Ceremony. The piece was created by Karen Hitchcock of Blue River Studios.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Veterans of several conflicts were on hand for the ceremony in downtown Elizabethton.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Former Carter County Commissioner Charles Von Cannon, a veteran, attended the ceremony.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/A veteran focuses during the Memorial Day Ceremony held at the Elizabethton-Carter County Veterans War Memorial.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Students with the United States Navy National Defense Corp from Elizabethton High School performed the changing of the flags.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Veterans in the crowd salute while others put their hands over their hearts as new flags are put into place.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Rev. Raymond Amos salutes during the flag-changing portion of the Memorial Day Ceremony. Amos, a veteran, delivered a heartfelt invocation during the ceremony.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Retired Captain Ricky Walters formerly with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee Army National Guard presents a reading as part of the Memorial Day Ceremony.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Just a couple of the young people in attendance at Monday's Memorial Day Ceremony.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Gregg Tester performs the MIA-POW Remembrance Ceremony during Memorial Day activities at the Elizabethton-Carter County Veterans War Memorial.
Star Photo/ Ivan Sanders/Andy Wetzel (center) takes time to speak with a couple in attendance at the ceremony.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Members of the Elizabethton High School United States Navy National Defense Corp changed out flags during the ceremony.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/A close-up shot shows the tiny pieces of ceramic that were magnificently put together for the new art piece at the Veterans War Memorial.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
Gone but not forgotten…
Memorial Day began with rain moving through the area but skies soon began to clear making way for those who gathered at the Elizabethton – Carter County Veterans Memorial to honor those who had given their life in service to the United States of America during six military combats the country has been involved in.
That number totaled 258 covering World War I (49), World War II (155), Korean War (20), Vietnam Conflict (30), Desert Storm (2), and Enduring Freedom (1).
The ceremony began with the unveiling of a new ceramic art piece designed and created by Karen Hitchcock with Blue River Studios. Metal frames for the art piece were made by students at TCAT.
Elizabethton Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Carter, who serves as the Chairman of the Veteran Oversight Committee, welcomed everyone present and reviewed the order for the ceremony.
Students with the United States Navy National Defense Corp from Elizabethton High School performed the changing of the flags as both the US Flag and the POW-MIA flags were replaced as veterans stood at attention and saluted as the old flags were removed and new ones raised to fly at half staff.
Rev. Raymond Amos delivered the invocation followed by Veteran Oversight Committee member Andy Wetzel who led those in attendance with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Loretta Bowers performed “God Bless the USA” at the conclusion of the pledge.
Oversight Committee member Rick Walters presented a Memorial Day reading. During the reading, Walters said, “Today, we honor the more than one million men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation while serving in wars and missions since the American Revolution.
“As proud Americans, we should all remember that our freedom is not free. It is only possible because heroes, some from our own families or neighborhoods, have paid a high price. It’s that price which enables us to have ceremonies and observances like this in towns across this great country.”
Gregg Tester shared the POW-MIA Remembrance Ceremony in which Tester told the crowd what each element that was present on the table represented for those still missing in action who have not returned from battle.
Names of each of the fallen from Carter County were read from each combat by Boy Scouts of America Troop 516 with audio produced by Veteran Committee member Tom Hitchcock.
David Batchelder closed the ceremony with the playing of “Taps.”
Many in attendance were veterans who came to remember their brothers in arms who had not made it home. Also, there were a large number of young people who came to witness the ceremony.
Tennessee State Senator Rusty Crowe, who contributes the flags that are flown at the Veterans Memorial, was on hand and assisted with the ceramic art unveiling. Crowe also is a veteran.
