Lebanon Veterans Day
VETERANS DAY EVENTS SCHEDULED IN LEBANON
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 we will honor all those who have served and are serving in our nation’s military services. “It is specifically our day to thank every one of our service men and women for their dedicated service to our great country, the United States of America and the freedoms we have as well as the price and sacrifices for that freedom.” Noted Lt. Col. Jim D. Henderson, Coordinator and emcee for the event.
1st Lt Norman F. Weber – Featured Speaker
Here in Lebanon it will be a great day for young and old to be marked by a large parade and ceremony at the new Veterans Plaza adjacent to the Wilson County Courthouse. Approximately 30 units will begin assembling on Hatton Ave. South at the Wilson County Library at West Main St. at 9:30 a.m. for the parade which will begin between 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 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, counterclockwise to East Main Street to the Vets Park.
The Veterans’ Day ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. in compliance wih 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 21 gun salute 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 Viet Vets Chapter 1004. The event is sponsored annually by: American Legion Post 15, the City of Lebanon and Wilson County.
WWII vet T/Sgt Elmer Marler – Parade Leader