CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at the William O. Beach Civic Hall in Veterans Plaza.
More than 150 guests joined city and county officials, along with local veteran groups, to remember and honor fallen veterans for their service to the nation.
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- Clarksville-Montgomery County Veterans organizations at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- Stella McKnight and the Clarksville High School Carnival and Encore Choir at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- Montgomery County Veterans Service Director Hector Santos at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- Posting of the Colors at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- The Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- Colonel Samuel Preston at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- The Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
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- Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, Colonel Samuel Preston & Mayor Joe Pitts present a wreath at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27, 2024. (Lee Erwin)
The guest speaker was Col. Samuel Preston III, commander of Blanchfield Army Community Hospital at Fort Campbell.
“Military medicine honors the fallen by promising our very best to save the next,” Preston said. “We will never forget why we exist, and why Memorial Day is a vivid reminder of why military medicine has the purpose that it does, to save lives.”
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts also spoke at the ceremony. Both mayors were joined by Preston in the laying of a wreath.
Six local veterans service and support groups also presented wreaths representing each of their organizations.
“Today is a time to honor our heroes,” said Director of the Veterans Service Organization retired Sgt. Maj. Hector Santos. “It is very important in our community to remember that we are fortunate to live in Montgomery County where we support veterans day to day. It’s not just one day, but for the whole year.”
The national anthem was sung by members of the Clarksville High School Carnival and Encore Choirs along with Musical Director Stella McKnight.
