Tag Archives: Veterans

Communities will celebrate Memorial Day this weekend with services and celebrations held across the Upper Cumberland. The Warren County Memorial Airport will host the traditional Memorial Day ceremony this Monday at 7 a.m. This year, the service will be spearheaded by the Vietnam Veterans of America Royce Davenport Chapter. The guest speaker will be Terry Yates, the former president of ... Read More »

Cemeteries expect an uptick in traffic with Memorial Day visits this weekend. Many people take the opportunity to make a special visit to honor loved ones who served in the military on the holiday. Crest Lawn Funeral Home Manager Justin Pace said on Memorial Day, they have gravesite visits from both deceased’s loved ones and people who simply want to ... Read More »

The Veterans Museum of White County will be offering grave marker flags in the lead up to Memorial Day. Museum Director Sandy Witt said anyone or any group is encouraged to stop by the museum on Thursday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Witt said they’re asking the community to get out and pay their respects to those lost fighting ... Read More »

While enjoying your day off, do not forget Memorial Day is more than picnics and barbecues. Commander of the Cookeville Honors Guard Jim McAfee served in the Army for six years across America and Germany. McAfee has served over 1,600 funerals for veterans since joining the Honors Guard in 2011. McAfee said Memorial Day to him and most veterans is ... Read More »

The search for a location for the Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery has resumed after a land deal in fell apart. Paul Overholser is the Strategic Development Director for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. The department had originally selected 93-acres adjacent to I-40 in Cumberland County for the cemetery. “We had an initial verbal agreement with the property owner,” ... Read More »

With changes taking place due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Upper Cumberland veterans are struggling to access services. Putnam County Veteran Service Officer Mark Harris said that medical service is difficult due to procedure changes in the outpatient clinic. “They changed the process of how they did it about two weeks ago,” Harris said. “They would basically limit the number of veterans ... Read More »

Livingston’s American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Distribution has been cancelled this year. The poppy distribution is an annual fundraiser for veterans and their families in need. Auxiliary Unit 4 Poppy Representative Romanna Schnitcke said the legion cancelled due to being unable to social distance. “It’s a very personal thing,” Schnitcke said. “We approach people’s cars, or the people themselves, and have ... Read More »

Despite the pandemic, a local honor guard has found safe ways to honor fallen veterans. Cookeville’s Veterans Honor Guard has postponed casket guards and escorting next of kin from their vehicle to the grave site. But Commander Jim McAfee said the guard has paid their respects at more than a dozen services since COVID-19 struck. “We all understand the patriotism, ... Read More »