CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Over 200 veterans and veteran supporters filled the William O. Beach Civic Hall Monday, May 25 for the annual Clarksville-Montgomery County Memorial Day Ceremony to honor those military service members who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.

The event, hosted by the Clarksville-Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) was originally scheduled for Veterans Memorial Park but was moved indoors because of the rainy weather.

VSO Director Frank Mir said he was pleased to see the crowd that filled the civic hall. “It is great to see so many members of the community here to pay tribute to the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives in defense of this great nation,” said Mir.

Guest speaker for the ceremony was retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Wendell Cheek, Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services who said he was excited about the new name of the department. The Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs is now known as the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. “We are a service organization,” Cheek said.

Cheek then talked about the term memorial and Memorial Day. “Those we honor and remember today represent far more than the stone monuments that mark the field of battle. Those we memorialize today, present by their actions, the reverent belief that some things are worth dying for,” Cheek said.

A number of wreaths were presented at the ceremony to honor the memory of the fallen men and women of the military. Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan were joined by Deputy Commissioner Cheek in placing the VSO wreath.

Wreaths were also placed by other local veteran service organizations. The Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 457, Women Veterans of America Chapter 20, The Military Officers Association of America Fort Campbell Chapter, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4895 and Auxiliary.

Marine Corps League Detachment 603, Disable American Veterans Hardy-Shelby Chapter 45, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 396, American Legion Post 143, Triple Nickle 555 Parachute Infantry Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11160.

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