Oak Ridge, Clinton: Honor the military at morning event Monday, free concert tonight

Donna Smith, The Oak Ridger
·2 min read

Oak Ridge area residents can honor their veterans at events Monday in the morning and night - a a memorial program at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton and a free concert at A.K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge.

Originally called "Decoration Day," Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Memorial Day Remembrance Program

Leon Jaquet, director of Veterans Services for Anderson County, said in an email that the 15th annual Memorial Day Remembrance Program will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Courthouse in Clinton.

The Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. People will no longer be using the two front doors or two back doors since a secured entrance on the north side has been opened.
The Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. People will no longer be using the two front doors or two back doors since a secured entrance on the north side has been opened.

The program will include speeches from Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, state Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, and a U.S. Air Force retiree, and keynote speaker Zach Farrar, U.S. Marine Corps, and vice-president for Trusts with Regions Bank.

"The program will pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. military who have given of their lives to protect the freedoms we all enjoy every day. The day itself is sacred and veterans need no reminder of that reason, but what about the general public, and more importantly the next generations? It is requested that everyone remember and show their support of our military past, present and future," stated the news release from Jaquet.

Patriotic concert by the Oak Ridge Community Band

The Oak Ridge Community Band will be presenting its Memorial Day concert on Monday evening in A.K. Bissell Park at 7 p.m. According to Barbara Gritzner, publicist and band member, this is a free performance and is an excellent way for family and friends to end the three-day holiday weekend with an entertaining concert and to show your appreciation to the men and women who have served in the military to maintain the nation's freedom.

Community band director Shaun Salem has selected a program of music for the Memorial Day concert to honor veterans and currently serving personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces. Among the numbers the band will perform are “The Star Spangled Banner,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” “America, the Beautiful,” and “Armed Forces Medley 72,” featuring the theme songs of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy. Veterans in the audience will be asked to stand during the song representing their branch of service.

The public is reminded to bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating around the Performing Arts Pavilion in the park, and there is a paved area for wheelchairs. Refreshments will be provided by Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Memorial Day: Honor military at morning event, free concert tonight