CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The downtown streets were filled Saturday for Montgomery County’s annual Veterans Day Celebration and Parade, which honors the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces.
The annual event had more than 100 parade entries and a ceremony recognizing the sacrifices of veterans and their families. The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Hector Santos, director of the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization. “The story of America is shaped by courage, honor and dedicated service of our veterans,” Santos said.
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden addressed those in attendance, thanking veterans and their families for their service. Golden also recognized families who brought children to the event, speaking on the importance of teaching younger generations about military service. “Thank you for teaching them what it’s all about,” Golden said.
The keynote speaker was Congressman Matt Van Epps, an Army veteran who served as a helicopter pilot during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
During his remarks, Van Epps talked on his family’s history of military service and shared his own experience during a mission in Afghanistan when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his helicopter but failed to detonate.
“Every veteran has a story. Some served in combat, some served in peacetime, but every last one of them answered the call,” Van Epps said.
Following the remarks, Van Epps and Golden participated in a ceremonial wreath-laying honoring veterans.
| DON’T MISS AN EVENT: For more Clarksville things to do, check out the Holiday fun guide or the Clarksville Events calendar.