From the Cleveland Daily Banner: Veterans Day ceremonies are traditionally held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, but this year,
From the Cleveland Daily Banner: Veterans Day ceremonies are traditionally held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, but this year, the local observance has been moved up one day, as the actual Veterans Day falls on a Saturday.
Thus, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, the local Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Bradley County Courthouse. Most of the event will remain in its traditional format, only a day earlier.
The event will feature two special awards — the Bill Norwood Service to Veterans Award and the Raymond H. Miller Veteran of the Year Award.
This year’s special guest speaker will be Major Newel Routh, U.S. Army, who retired after 26 years of military service. Routh currently lives in Knoxville with his wife and two daughters.
Routh, a native of Decatur, Georgia, enlisted in the army in October 1991, and upon completion of his training, was awarded the Military Occupational Speciality 13F designation, and was stationed as a forward observer for the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with the Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals with Campaign Star, and NATO Medal.
It is anticipated that a special Quilt of Honor may be presented at the Veterans Day ceremony, and the Bradley County Honor Guard will have the traditional 21-gun salute.
Following the ceremony, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 81 will be serving lunch at Post 81 on James Asbury Drive, for veterans.
Ocoee Street at the courthouse will be closed for the ceremony, and motorists are encouraged not to leave their vehicles parked at the businesses there prior to the service.
The event is open to the public, and organizers hope to see a nice group of veterans in attendance.
