Eyes of Freedom Traveling Memorial Part of Veterans Week in Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial is the latest addition to the many events that have become part of Welcome Home Veterans Week Sept. 13-17 in Clarksville, Tennessee. The exhibit is open to the public noon Sept. 14 through 3 p.m. Sept. 17 at Beachaven Vineyards & Winery.

This traveling memorial depicts the fallen Marines and Navy Corpsman of Columbus, Ohio-based Lima Company 3/25, one of the most heavily engaged units of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These 23 life-sized portraits have become a powerful traveling veteran’s tribute to honor their service and sacrifice.

Columbus, Ohio resident and artist Anita Miller unveiled, for the first time, the Lima Company Memorial May 2008 in the Statehouse Rotunda.

Also on exhibit at Beachaven during Welcome Home Veterans Week are the American Traveling Tribute Wall and the Field of Honor – Veterans Tribute flag display.

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Wall is an 80 percent scale version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. Across its 360-foot length, the wall contains the names of every name that is etched on the original monument. At its apex, the memorial is eight feet tall.

The Wall arrives in Clarksville 3 p.m. Sept. 13. A procession begins approximately 3:30 p.m. from Appleton Harley Davidson on US 41-A Bypass and proceeds down Madison Street to University Blvd. to College Street out to Beachaven. The Wall opens to the public noon Sept. 14, and is open 24 hours a day until 3 p.m. Sept. 17.  The Wall is sponsored by the Ft. Campbell Historic Society and Sykes Funeral Home.

Field of Honor – Veterans Tribute flag display is shown Sept. 13-17 at Beachaven Vineyards and Winery.  Part of a nationall- recognized community program, the Field of Honor pays tribute to the strength and unity of Americans, and honors veterans. Flags may be purchased in honor of veterans or first responders from www.welcomehomeveteranscelebration.com, at www.healingfield.org/clarksville17/ or by calling 931-647-2331.  Flags may be sponsored for $40 and are tagged with the honoree’s information. Purchased flags are available for pick up after the event. Net proceeds benefit veteran’s causes.

Other activites scheduled during the week include:

•             A Wreath Laying and Massing of the Colors at the Wall 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15

•             The USS LST 325 docks Sept. 6-16 at McGregor Park. General admission is $10; children 6-17 is $5 and WWII veterans and active duty military in uniform are free.

•             Operation Stand Down – Veterans Festival is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 13-14 at Daymar Institute, 2691 Trenton Road.

•             A Remembrance Ceremony at First Baptist Church, 435 Madison Street, is 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

•             A luncheon with Vietnam POW Bill Robinson is held in honor of National POW/MIA Remembrance Day11 a.m. Sept. 15 at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center, 1190 Hwy. 48. Luncheon tickets are $22.

•             Bob Hope Tribute to the Troops is held 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 (location to be determined.) Tickets are $39.

•             Welcome Home Parade is 10 a.m. Sept. 16 in downtown Clarksville. Veterans should register to be in the parade. Applications are also available for floats and other parade participants. 

•             A Celebration Picnic and Bluegrass takes place 12:30-3 p.m. Sept. 16 at Beachaven.

•             The American Pride Concert is the week’s finale 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16. Veterans can attend free, but need a ticket. Others may purchase tickets for $25.

For tickets, parade registration and more information, visit www.welcomehomeveteranscelebration.com.

To volunteer or participate in any of the activities or events, contact Frances Manzitto by email at frances@visitclarksvilletn.com or call 931-245-4345.

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