Clarksville honors veterans with breakfast, ceremony, parade and more

The Clarksville Chamber of Commerce and guests gathered for breakfast as Congressman Mark Green spoke. That was followed by the Veterans Day ceremony and parade.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The day was all about honoring veterans as the community came together to remember what they’ve done and continue to do. The Clarksville Chamber of Commerce and guests gathered at the APSU Morgan University Center Saturday morning for breakfast as Congressman Mark Green spoke. That was followed by the annual downtown Veterans Day ceremony and parade.

Green thanked all the veterans and said we need to look to our warriors, guardians and soldiers for guidance. “I’m honored you all would ask me to come and speak, especially on this day,” he said.

Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

Jenny Teator performs at the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

Wes Golden and Andrew Kester Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

U.S. Rep. Mark Green and Catherine Bertoldi at the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

U.S. Rep. Mark Green at the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

Catherine Bertoldi addresses the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Breakfast at Morgan University Center on Nov 11, 2023 (Wesley Irvin)

The Veterans Day Parade began with a ceremony and remarks from Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, as well as Hector Santos, Montgomery County Sheriffs Assistant Chief Deputy Joe Thomas, and others. Lee Erwin was the emcee.

The Clarksville High School Choir sung numerous patriotic songs, and the wreath was placed by Golden, Pitts and Thomas.

“It’s an honor to serve here,” Golden said. “Thank you to the parents that brought their children out today; thank you for continuing to teach patriotism to our youth.”

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts at the Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

State Rep. Curtis Johnson, Mayor Joe Pitts and Cynthia Pitts at the Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

City Mayor Joe Pitts and County Mayor Wes Golden lay a wreath during the Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden at the Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Emcee Lee Erwin at the Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Emcee Lee Erwin and Hector Santos at the Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Hector Santos at the Veterans Day Ceremony in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

People lined the streets of downtown to see the Veterans Day parade, which featured over 150 entries ranging from dance teams and school organizations to government agencies and nonprofit groups.

The Clarksville Montgomery County Schools had a combined marching band made up of students from several schools. Each JROTC program also demonstrated their abilities in front of judges.

Veterans Day Parade in downtown Clarksville on Nov 11, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Veterans Day parade award winners

JROTC Marching Units: 1st West Creek, 2nd Kenwood, 3rd Montgomery Central.

JROTC Color & Honor Guards/Step Teams: 1st West Creek, 2nd Kenwood, 3rd Montgomery Central.

Military/Veteran Entries: 1st Screaming Eagle Rock Bank – 101st Band, 2nd Military Order Of The Purple Heart Chapter 457, 3rd American Legion Post 289.

Commercial/Business Entries: 1st Clarksville Gas & Water, 2nd Blue Jay Garage Doors, 3rd Haus Realty & Management + Kedalo Contruction.

Boy/Cub/Girl Scouts: 1st Girl Scouts Of Middle TN – Troop 407, 2nd Cub Scout Pack 565, 3rd Woodlawn Cub Scout Pack 522.

Automobiles (Club or single automotive entries): 1st Memory Lane Cruisers, 2nd Clarksville Jeep Crew, 3rd Corvettes Of Clarksville.

Motorcycle Clubs: 1st Warioto Road Riders, 2nd Combat Veterans MC Assn – Tn Chapter 18-2.

Community Entries: 1st Montgomery County Antique Tractor & Engine Club, 2nd Two Ravens Foundation, 3rd Clarksville Shrine Club.

Clarksville honors veterans with breakfast, ceremony, parade and more | PHOTOS