East Tennessee Veterans Memorial, Tennessee, United States

5Jim A 5:00 PM Jul 2, 2020

Honor
A quiet place to remember the lives loss during all the American conflicts. They recognize medal of honor recepients and others whom have lost their lives. I would recommend visiting this if wandering the World's Fair Park.

5The_Loup_Garou 5:00 PM Jul 30, 2018

Small, But Fitting Tribute to Those Who Served
The early March weather was fitting, to visit the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial – cool (bordering on cold), damp and windy – in other words “somber.” Where the weather affected much that we did, on our visit to Knoxville, it did not detract from the visit to the Veterans Memorial. We walked over to the World’s Fair Park, from our hotel, and there, the weather was a downer. I had read of the Veterans Memorial, so we worked our way up to it, or “down,” if one considers the steps, leading to the Memorial. I have visited Veterans memorials, since about the age of four, when my mother would take me to one, in our hometown, of Gulfport, MS. She would trace a particular name, on that one, with her black-gloved hand. It was that of her brother, lost over The Netherlands, in WWII. She explained what Veterans’ Day, and Memorial Day actually meant, and that was a lesson, which I have not forgotten. My wife and I have visited many, all over the United States, the UK, France, Australia and Japan. This one, while not as large, or as grand as many, was beautiful, even in the inclement weather, and is a fitting reminder of those, who gave the ultimate sacrifice – their lives, in the service to their country. It appears to be a “garden” of tombstones, and while that is likely how it was intended, it is much more, and the inscriptions need to be studied, and contemplated. While I am unaware of knowing any of the soldiers, commemorated in those plaques, I know many others, from other wars, so the sadness translates easily. We both found this a touching memorial, and were both moved by this experience. Even if one is not a history buff, and has no blood relationship to those commemorated here, I feel that it is a must do – and our weather was perfect for our visit.