The Chattanooga National Cemetery and the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council invites all veterans, family members and the public to the 2015 Veterans Day program at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War, and a special tribute will offer recognition to all Vietnam-Era veterans (combat and non-combat) who served during the Vietnam War years. The Alhambra Shrine will provide bagpipe music featuring the Highlander Pipes & Drums and the Choo Choo Chorus will sing traditional songs and medleys. Jesse “Bud” Alley, Vietnam veteran and Silver Star recipient will be the keynote speaker.
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 203 will have the Tennessee Vietnam Memorial Wall and the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Plaque on display at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, starting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The wall lists 1,292 names of Tennessee servicemen killed during the Vietnam War. The plaque lists the names of Vietnam Veterans killed from Whitfield, Walker, Catoosa, and Dade County, Georgia.
Chattanooga National Cemetery staff will raise 208 American Flags on 14-foot flagpoles on both sides of the cemetery roadway Tuesday morning, November 10, 2015. This display of American flags is called an “Avenue of Flags” and is a primary display of respect for the service performed by our Nation's Veterans. All these flags once draped a deceased Veteran’s casket, which afterward was folded and presented to the next-of-kin who in turn donated it to the Chattanooga National Cemetery to fly on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other significant days, when weather permits.
Officials said, "On this day, we celebrate the service, sacrifice, and enduring achievements of almost 22 million living Americans who served our Nation in uniform—at home and abroad—during times of both war and peace. On the 11th day of the 11th month, as we have in so many years past, Americans will reflect on our way of life and pay tribute to the men and women who made it all possible."
In countless ceremonies repeated across the country, Americans will pause to honor those who earned the title of ‘Veteran’—men and women who gave of themselves what no one day of tribute