TAZEWELL— America’s Heroes were honored at several events throughout the county this past week in honor of Veterans Day. The first ceremony took place at Claiborne County War Memorial Park, Rome Cardwell Memorial Park, in Tazewell on Saturday Nov. 8.

The Thomas Walker High School Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets posted the colors to begin the ceremony. Members of the ROTC were wearing uniforms from the past to represent the various generations of Veterans. The ROTC also performed later in the ceremony.

The Cumberland Gap High School band, under the direction of Linda Smiddy, performed the National Anthem and later performed God Bless America.

Janice Derreberry sang America the Beautiful and God Bless the USA to honor America’s Veterans. Col. John McAfee spoke giving the audience some insight into a soldier’s daily life. He spoke of dedication and perseverance and said it is important for Americans to remember what these men and women do to ensure our freedom.

Other speakers included Retired Army Commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 35, Wendall Williams and Retired Army Major, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 109, Lee Brame.

To conclude the event the Claiborne County Honor Guard gave a 21 Gun Salute and the Sounding of Taps was played.

Other local ceremonies were held on Monday, Nov. 10, at Claiborne High School, Springdale Elementary, Midway Elementary, and Heritage Baptist Academy.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, ceremonies were held at Cumberland Gap High School, Forge Ridge School, and Tazewell and New Tazewell Primary.

Photos: Scott Marlow, Veterans Services Representative for Claiborne County, posted the colors during Springdale Elementary’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 10.

The Cumberland Gap High School Band performed the National Anthem and God Bless America during the Veterans Day Ceremony held at Rome Cardwell Memorial Park on Saturday Nov. 9.

Dion Mountain (above) made a special trip to Heritage Baptist Academy in honor of Veterans Day to teach the students a little bit about the equipment used during the Vietnam War and World War II. Mountain owns several pieces of equipment from both wars, including two jeeps. Mountain said he brings the equipment to various Veterans events to “educate people so that war might be deterred” in the future. Mountain is a member of the Smokey Mountain Vehicle Preservation Club and served with the 4th Infantry in the Kontun Province in Vietnam from July of 1968 through July of 1969.(ANDREA SCHNEIDER/Claiborne Progress)