We Remember

Community observes Memorial Day amid COVID-19 pandemic

Monty Meeks (left) and John Cathey were among the hundreds of volunteers who helped place 18,000 American flags on graves inside the Mountain Home National Cemetery on Saturday morning. PHOTOS BY DAVE ONGIE

Bryan Lauzon of the American Legion gives his remarks during a ceremony held on Monday morning in Memorial Park.

Last week, Rep. Phil Roe expressed his hope that folks in Tennessee’s First District would find ways on Memorial Day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

It may have looked a bit different this year with social distancing measures in place, but folks in our community came through with flying colors. Last week, Jay Adkins – a veteran who saw action in Iraq, and a candidate for Roe’s congressional seat – purchased 18,000 flags to mark the graves at Mountain Home National Cemetery. A last-minute call for volunteers yielded folks from as far away as Knoxville and Virginia, and the small army of folks had all 18,000 flags placed in under two hours last Saturday morning.

Additionally, the Johnson City chapter of the American Legion received special permission from the City of Johnson City to hold a small event for veterans at the base of the Dough Boy statue in Memorial Park.