By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
The three Knoxville veteran cemeteries drew large crowds on Saturday, December 13, to place wreaths at the graves of veterans. Other cemeteries, including those within the Smoky Mountains, also had veteran wreath events.
The Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at Lyons View Pike drew hundreds of volunteers and kicked off with a ceremony that included wreath laying for each of the military services. Captain Bill Robinson, the longest held enlisted prisoner of war, placed the wreath for Missing and Prisoners of War captives.
Congressman Tim Burchett spoke briefly, and then the volunteers fanned out across the cemetery and placed the wreaths. At all cemetery ceremonies, the wreath placers were asked to place the wreath, stand and speak the name of the veteran buried there in remembrance, and salute.
Veterans, families with children, and generations of people attended the local services at the Knoxville National Cemetery, the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery and the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. Attendees included Junior ROTC units, Boy and Girl Scouts, and other groups.
