KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The city of Tullahoma will be honoring and celebrating its veterans with its annual Veterans Day Ceremony this coming Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at South Jackson Performing Arts Center.

Prior to the ceremony, Tullahoma City Schools will also honor its veterans as it will roll out with its sixth annual Tribute Train.  The school district made the announcement about the train’s return Wednesday, Nov. 5, and invited all veterans to participate in caravaning to all the schools in the district, with the final stop being at SJPAC for the city’s ceremony.

Those interested in participating in the Tribute Train are asked to meet at Wilkins Stadium behind Tullahoma High School no later than 8:25 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, as the caravan will depart at 8:30 a.m. From there, the tribute train will depart and make its way to Jack T. Farrar Elementary School, West Middle School, Bel-Aire Elementary School, Robert E. Lee Elementary School, East Middle School and East Lincoln Elementary School before ending at South Jackson Performing Arts Center for the city’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony. During each school stop, students, faculty and staff at each school will greet the tribute train with American flags, homemade signs of encouragement and thanks for the veterans and their service to the country.

The Veterans Day Ceremony, presented by the city of Tullahoma, the GFWC Centennial Women’s Club, the Tullahoma chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and American Legion Post 43, will take place at 11 a.m. at SJPAC and is free for the public to attend. Following the opening remarks from Tullahoma Mayor Lynn Sebourn, the Tullahoma Fire Department Color Guard will present the colors and the Tullahoma High School Brass Ensemble, with Band Directors Justin Scott, Lisa Burden and Johnathan Johnson, will perform the National Anthem. American Legion Post 43 Commander Albert Haas will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the POW/MIA Chair, and Rev. Martin Nutter will lead the invocation.

This year’s guest speaker is Brig. Gen. (retired) J.B. Burton. After Burton’s comments, Lloyd Smith will perform the Armed Forces Medley and God Bless the USA. Lyle Russell will also have a presentation titled “American Symbols: The Bald Eagle”. After Russell, Curtis Hice, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will perform “You Don’t Have to be Strong Anymore,” and Jon Gray, U.S. Army veteran, will read the names of veterans who have passed. The THS Brass Ensemble will perform “Taps” and City Administrator Jason Quick will end the ceremony with his closing remarks.