Clarksville, Tennessee’s annual Welcome Home Veterans Celebration continues to expand and broaden its appeal with more activities and exhibits that celebrate our veterans, active-duty military and first responders. The 2019 culmination of events, which will be held September 18-22, is adding two top-scale exhibits that you won’t want to miss.
“This event was founded to honor and welcome home Vietnam Veterans,” said Visit Clarksville Chairman Kyle Luther. “While that will always be the core focus, we want to continually add more activities and exhibits that will also recognize veterans from other conflicts, and help our citizens appreciate the service and sacrifice of all of our servicemen and women.”
The two exhibits joining the foray in the 2019 event are the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit and the Traveling Korean War Memorial. An added activity is the Friday evening Memorial Mile Walk.
The 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit is a tribute to all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The memorial provides interactive education; including artifacts such as steel beams from the towers, documentary videos, and recordings of first responder radio transmissions. Interactive guided tours are carried out by FDNY firefighters who provide firsthand accounts of the day and its aftermath.
The Traveling Korean War Memorial, a replica of the Washington D.C. memorial, consists of 19 soldiers walking through a Korean rice paddy and three soldiers off to the side setting up a campfire.
On Friday evening, a memorial one-mile walk will take place around the Beachaven grounds, encompassing all the event’s exhibits.
Returning activities for the Celebration Week include the following activities. All exhibits and activities are held at Beachaven Winery, 1100 Dunlop Lane, unless otherwise noted.
- Lee Greenwood Concert. Enjoy this American music legend in a free outdoor concert on Saturday evening.
- American Traveling Tribute Wall is an 80-percent scale version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC and contains every name that is etched on the original monument.
- Field of Honor – Veterans Tribute flag display is part of a nationally recognized community program that demonstrates the strength and unity of Americans
- A Wreath Laying and Massing of the Colors will take place at the Wall.
- A Valor Luncheon at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center features a key-note speaker and presentation from Quilts of Valor.
- Welcome Home Parade in historic downtown Clarksville on Saturday morning. (Veterans, please register on the event website to participate.)
- The Valor Run 5K and 10K will take place on Saturday morning. Signup for this event at https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Clarksville/ValorRun.
Keep up to date with all activities, register for events online, or explore hotel packages at welcomehomeveteranscelebration.com or contact Frances Manzitto by email at [email protected] or phone at 931-245-4345.