Correction: Our previous email/post had the assembly point for the parade as the Library. In fact, according to Bill Moss, POC for the event, “The parade will originate from First United Methodist, 415 West Main Street, at 10:00 AM and proceed up West Main Street, go around the square and terminate at the Veteran’s Museum, next to the Wilson County Courthouse.”
Additionally, we now have an agenda for the program beginning at 11:00 AM.
Welcome – Chris Beadle, Commander American Legion Post 15
Master of Ceremonies – Bill Moss, Commander VFW Post 5015
Devotion/Prayer – Jeff Luttrell, Deacon First Baptist Church, Watertown, TN
Pledge of Allegiance – ZaBrina Seay, Director, Wilson County Veterans Service Office
National Anthem – Denise Michelle Johnson, Singer/Songwriter
Recognition of Anniversaries of Ending of Wars
Recognition of Branches of Service – Mike Myer, Commander VVA Post 1004
Speaker – Kevin J Croteau, LTC (Ret), USA
Rifle Volley – Honor Guard American Legion Post 281
Taps – American Legion Post 281, Mt. Juliet – Terry Ward, Commander Post 281
Phil Friedli has some information to share. Some old, some new.
On October 18th our Riders were out supporting the Wilson County Veterans Ride which was formerly known as the Bernie Ash Memorial Ride.
Yesterday, November 1st we were supporting riders and members of Post 75 Portland, TN. In observance of the passing of Aubrey “Ollie” Olive, a founding member of the riders chapter with the post. “Ollie” was a member of the legion for many years and he will be missed by many who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Upcoming events:
November 11th we will participate in the Lebanon Veterans Parade. Approximately 30 units will begin assembling at the First United Methodist, 415 West Main Street at 9:30 a.m. for the parade which will begin at 10:00 a.m., featuring color guards, high school bands, scouts, public service and military vehicles, motor cycles, horses, JROTC units, National Guard, all Veterans organizations, vets marching and riding, trollies and many other units. Leading the parade will be 100 year old WWII vet T/Sgt Elmer Marler of Watertown just received France’s highest honor, the Legion of Merit at the Tennessee State Capitol in October. The parade will turn from S. Hatton onto West Main Street, to the square, counter clockwise to East Main Street to the Veterans Park and Museum.
The Veterans Day ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. in compliance with the signing of the armistice ending WWI in 1918, and lasts for approximately one hour. The ceremony will consist of patriotic music, posting of the colors and wreaths to our war dead, raising of the service flags, recognizing all branches of the military and veterans. Gold Star Mothers, POW MIA. Color Guards and our American Legion Post 281 Honor Guard rifle volley preceding taps which ends the ceremony. The featured speaker this year is 1st Lt Norman F. Weber who as a child and as an American citizen, was held hostage in Hitler’s Germany and later served in the 82nd Airborne Division United States Army and the Air Force Reserve. Hot dogs and drinks will be served following the ceremony by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1004. The event is sponsored annually by: American Legion Post 15, the City of Lebanon and Wilson County. https://lebanonwilsonchamber.com/lebanon-veterans-day/
Then on November 15thour Riders are participating for the 3rd year in the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Veterans Day Parade an annual event held at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN, at 3400 Lebanon Rd. Pre-parade entertainment starting at 10 a.m. and the parade at 11 a.m.. The event is free and open to the public, featuring pre-parade entertainment, a ceremony, and the parade itself. Phil says they bring patients out and it’s a good time. Come on out!
