CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization hosted its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday at the William O. Beach Civic Hall. Close to 300 people were in attendance for the event, which was the first in-person ceremony in three years because of concerns over COVID-19.

A major part of the ceremony was the laying of wreaths honoring fallen military personnel. The first wreath was presented by the guest speaker for the event, retired Army Brig. Gen. Scott Brower, along with Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, and Montgomery County Commissioner Walker Woodruff.

Mayor Joe Pitts and First Lady Cynthia Pitts at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Members of Women Veterans of America at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Rich Holladay and Tony Eldridge at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Members of the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization at the Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Carnival and Encore Choirs from Clarksville High school at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Members of Women Veterans of America at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
members of the Gold Star Wives at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Montgomery county Veterans Service Organization Director Andrew Kester at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Posting of the colors at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Posting of the colors at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
County Commissioner Walker Woodruff at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retired Army Brigadier General Scott Brower at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor Joe Pitts, County Commissioner Walker Woodruff, and retired Army Brigadier General Scott Brower at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
555th “Triplr Nickle” Parachute Infantry Association wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Sons of the American Revolution wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Gold Star Wives wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
American Legion Post 289 wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Special Forces Association wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Buffalo Soldiers wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Women Veterans of America wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4895 wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Military Order of the Purple Heart wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Marine Corps League wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Members of the Military Officers Association of America wreath laying at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee State Senator Bill Powers and Tennessee State Representative Curtis Johnson at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization Memorial Day Ceremony, on May 30, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Other local veterans’ groups also participated, presenting a wreath for each of their respective organizations.

They included the 555th Parachute Infantry Association, Sons of the American Revolution, Gold Star Wives, American Legion Post 289, Special Forces Association, Buffalo Soldiers, Women Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4895, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Marine Corps League, and the Military Officers Association of America.

Andrew Kester, Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization director, said it was very honorable to have the Memorial Day Ceremony back this year.

“It’s just great to get everyone back together again and to honor and remember those who have given their lives for our country,” Kester said.

Music for the event, including the national anthem, was provided by Stella McKnight and the Clarksville High School Carnival and Encore Choirs.