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The county budget committee has completed its budget preparation for the 2026-27 fiscal year except for setting the new ...
06/04/2026

The county budget committee has completed its budget preparation for the 2026-27 fiscal year except for setting the new certified property tax levy which will be determined after the equalization board finishes its work on assessment appeals this month.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the budget committee approved the non-profit funding resolution as well as an appropriations resolution and consolidated budget for 2026-27

The preliminary certified tax rate determined by the state after the 2026 reappraisal cycle was $1.533 per $100 of assessed value although it is expected to generate overall the same local revenue as the $2.51 tax rate this past year.

Because of assessment appeals, the revised certified tax rate will be a little more, currently at $1.5564 cents.

Steve Bates, the county’s fiscal agent, met with the budget committee Tuesday night and recommended sending the proposed budget to the full county commission with a projected revised certified tax rate of $1.5564 cents and to make the final rate official once its known for certain by the June 22 county commission meeting when the consolidated budget is presented for final approval.

Bates said its important to get a new budget adopted soon for bond rating purposes with bonds scheduled to be issued for construction of the new elementary school by July.

“Because the school bonds have got to be issued, we need a budget in place so we can use this new reappraisal because the total assessed property in this county is over one billion dollars for the first time in history and we want to use that when we issue the school bonds because that makes you look better on your bond rating,” said Bates.

“Right now, we’re (certified tax rate) is at $1.5564, and this budget is based on that (rate) and any items you add (to the budget) tonight is not going to change your tax levy so let’s just use the $1.5564 for now and let the board of equalization finish their work and by the June 22nd county commission meeting we’re going to get a new equalized tax rate from them,” said Bates.

Bates explained that with only few assessment appeals yet to be heard by the equalization board the final certified tax rate won’t change much from the $1.5564.

“It’s going to be so fractional its not going to make any difference so whatever it is we’ll just change the tax levy the night we adopt the budget on the floor. We’ll adopt the certified rate. We can’t exceed the certified rate and we are not going to raise taxes again so if it comes in at $1.5563 then that’s what it is or if it comes in at $1.5565 that’s what it is. We can only adopt the certified tax rate and that’s all we can do but I think this is a good budget,” said Bates.

Although the county’s financial status is sound, Bates advised the committee to monitor future spending and brace for more likely no growth years and the loss of a large property taxpayer (Tenneco).

“You just went through reappraisal this year, which is a zero-growth year. Although you’ve had some new construction that came on it’s not substantial enough to really mean anything. And you’re going to lose a top 10 taxpayer this next year. That’s about $178,000 in property tax they pay into the county. That’s going to negatively affect assessments in the next budget year. You’re on a four-year reappraisal cycle. In four years, you’re going to go through a reappraisal again. That basically means you’ve got three no growth years out of four in this next term of the county commission so keep an eye on your expenditures. That’s what I would tell you,” said Bates.

“Your silver lining in all this is that there is going to be so much construction going on within this next two and a half to three years you are probably going to get a false sense of security because there’s going to be so much going on. Sales tax will probably do really well over the next three budget cycles but once all that is done, then you are going to stabilize again. I told you about two years ago, I think you can probably go seven or eight years without a tax increase. If you are aware of that and keep an eye on expenditures then I think you can probably make it and then by the time you go through your next reappraisal cycle, you’ll once again be a lower tax rate county than any county around you. You still don’t have a wheel tax, you still don’t have any impact fees, and you don’t have solid waste fees so you are sitting in a really good spot. And once the jail notes are paid off in 12 years then you can roll over into school number 2 and then let somebody else worry about that. But that’s 12 years down the road,” said Bates.

“The jail is a non-budgeted capital projects fund,” Bates continued. “When you adopted the note resolution, that money is supposed to be kept separate and apart from all other funds of the county. It can only be spent for the purpose for which it was borrowed, which is defined in the terms of the resolution, which was adopted,” said Bates.

All funding requests from the various department supervisors and county officials are still funded in this proposed budget as presented in previous budget committee meetings and other requests were approved from non-profit organizations Tuesday night

The newest expenditure is $45,000 (onetime expense) for the Live and Let Live Homeless Shelter in Smithville.

The DeKalb Animal Coalition’s annual contribution of $36,805 will again be funded.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad will be given an extra $25,000 for the organization to purchase a pre-owned emergency vehicle to replace another in addition to the annual contribution it gets of $51,321.

The DeKalb County Fair and the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree will each get $8,000, which is up from $5,000 in previous years

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce will get a contribution of $40,500, up from $35,000. However, $500 of the increase will be passed on to the Leadership DeKalb program.

Meanwhile, the budget committee, due to health insurance rate hikes, voted to increase from $550 to $650 the amount the county pays toward covering employees enrolled in the county healthcare plan.

Other budget highlights:

*Previously established step raises for county employees as they apply

* Across the board increase in county employee part time pay from $13 to $14 per hour

*Fire Department: An additional $38,805 to be divided among the 75 volunteers to provide an increase for incentives in training, incident response, work sessions, and public safety education.

*EMS: Directors salary increase from $61,700 to $70,000; 12% increase in the ambulance service budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year including a new pay plan for employees modeled after Cannon County’s EMS salary schedule. No longer paying on seniority or longevity but paying on credentials alone. Taking EMTs to $16.50 per hour, AMTs to $21.22 an hour, paramedics to $25.96 an hour, and a critical care paramedic to $27.68 an hour.

*Clerk and Master: Part time position to be made full time

*Administrator of Elections: Part time position to be made full time

*County Clerk: Funding the full salary for a fifth deputy clerk position going forward due to uncertainties about available earmarked fees which has been designated the last three years to fund half the salary.

*Solid Waste: Director’s salary increase from $61,700 to $70,000; $1.50 per hour pay raise on the base rate for solid waste truck drivers putting their wage at $22.50 per hour; $1.00 an hour increase in pay for the solid waste scale house operator at the transfer station and the grounds laborer. New dumpsters-$115,000. New Roll-Off Truck- $245,000 to $260,000. Ton truck-$55,000 and trailer- $8,000; Two part time employee positions to be funded locally for the new manned Temperance Hall convenience center which has not yet been completed.

*Building Codes: $75,000 in Inspector Davey Horton’s contracted services along with software to implement an online permitting system, a yearly $9,000 expense, as a convenience to the public, and $2,000 for office supplies.

*School Budget: Pay raises for professional personnel and support staff- $4,000 for staff with 20 years of service or longer; $3,000 increase for those with 10-19 years; and $2,000 for employees with up to 9 years of service.

*Highway Department No new local funding requests

*Capital Projects: Fire Department- $250,000 in seed money previously set aside for the future development of a public safety building in the Wolf Creek community. The funds will not be spent if the construction project does not move forward during the year; Projected cost of $525,000 & $50,000 for the needed loose equipment ($575,000 total) to purchase a tanker for the underserved south/southeast quadrant of the county (Four Seasons/Belk/Blue Springs areas) This $575,000 amount would only be spent if the county’s application for a $624,089 Community Development Block Grant is not funded to buy the tanker. If the grant is awarded the county’s local match would be $204,089; $100,000 seed money for a future three bay district station at Keltonburg for firefighting purposes, adding to the two district stations already in existence at Liberty and at the Main Station on King Ridge Road. The total project cost to fully fund construction of this new district station is estimated to be $365,000.

*Capital Projects: EMS- $178,700 to fund the purchase of a remounted ambulance already on order which is expected for delivery next spring.

*Capital Projects: Sheriff’s Department- $175,000 to purchase four new patrol cars

*Capital Projects-Community Centers: $100,000 for repairs and maintenance to the six aging and deteriorating community centers including Belk, Keltonburg, Midway, Blue Springs, Johnson’s Chapel, and Snow Hill.

Remaining County Commission Committee Meetings for the month of June

Purchasing Committee

Date: 06/17/2026

Time: 12pm

Location: Lower Courtroom of the Courthouse

Topic: County Purchasing

County Commission Workshop

Date: 06/18/2026

Time: 6pm

Location: Tennessee Room of the County Complex

Topic: Regular Business

County Commission Meeting (Formal)

Date: 06/22/2026

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Auditorium of the County Complex

Topic: Regular Business

The victim of a vicious dog attack at Greenbrook Park more than two months ago has gotten the attention of the Smithvill...
06/03/2026

The victim of a vicious dog attack at Greenbrook Park more than two months ago has gotten the attention of the Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen with an emotional plea for the city to keep attendants on duty at all times when the park is open in the interest of public safety.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the aldermen voted to amend the current budget and to include in the new budget (2026-27) funding for another part-time employee in the parks and streets department specifically in response to the request from Martha Cripps Cooper, the victim of the dog attack.

Cooper recounted the horrific attack which occurred on March 29.

“I was walking in Greenbrook Park when I was attacked by four dogs running at large. I was bitten and viciously attacked causing a severe fracture of my left wrist requiring surgery,” said Cooper. “The physical injuries are healing well but the deep emotional impact has been the most challenging,” she said.

Cooper further recounted how that she was actually the second dog attack victim that morning but that the first one escaped injury. “The first 911 call at 9:56 am was from a female jogger. The dogs also attacked her but another woman intervened driving the dogs away. Police and animal control responded but were unable to locate the dogs”.

“The second 911 call came from me at 10:11 a.m.”, said Cooper.

“A common thread between both calls is that we expressed fear that a child would be seriously injured or killed,” Cooper continued. “ As I thought about the attack later it occurred to me that it wasn’t just children at risk that day but it was senior citizens, people with disabilities, and people who come over from NHC to visit the park in their wheelchairs. Anyone of us is vulnerable given the right circumstances,” Cooper said.

After the attack Cooper met with city leaders and expressed her gratitude for their concern and interest in developing park public safety policies.

“I want to thank city leaders for meeting with me over the past two months and specifically Mayor Josh Miller and Police Chief Mark Collins for drafting a park safety policy and to Chief Collins for a policy that outlines a clear law enforcement response to active threats on city property,” said Cooper.

While implementing policies is a move in a positive direction, Cooper said adding more park attendants is needed to enhance public safety.

“Police response is only half of the battle here,” said Cooper. “The other half is prevention and that’s why I am asking the city to provide a dedicated park attendant for all hours, for every hour the park is open. An attendant can serve as the city’s eyes and ears on site, to enforce posted park rules, report hazards and threats, and carry out emergency procedures. They would not replace police but provide a first line of response until police arrived,” she said.

“The next serious incident may not involve a dog threat. It could be a medical emergency, a violent individual, a missing child or any number of situations where immediate responses could make a difference. We cannot predict every threat but we can prepare for one. I respectfully ask the city to provide a dedicated park attendant for all hours, for every hour the park is open as part of its commitment to the safety of its residents.,” said Cooper.

Local attorney Sarah Cripps, Cooper’s sister, also addressed the concerns.

“To talk about the breadth of this problem is to point up a severe gap that has persisted in the public safety of the park. I have represented a gentleman who repeatedly exposed himself to children in that park. There are people who are having s*x in the bathrooms. There are places in that park that are not well lighted. A child could be pulled into a bathroom and r***d very quickly. I am totally blind and if those dogs had come up on me I would have been down and not been able to get up or even seen the threat coming. If we are going to have public spaces we have to ensure that they are safe for the public to visit. Mayor Miller and Chief Collins have been wonderful and I want to thank (Alderman) Mr. Don Crook for bringing this issue to the council although nothing was done at that time but we are here today and this remains our request that we have adequate public safety measures through observation, ear witness and eye witness from people who will be working at the park whose dedicated job it will be to check the restrooms, to walk around, and make sure everybody is okay to benefit all people,” “ said Cripps.

After the meeting, both Cooper and Cripps reacted to the board’s decision.

“This accident and any accident can shed light on places where there is room for improvement and this is one of those situations,” said Cooper. ” My hope is that something good could come from this and I am standing here representing the next person. My event is over. I hope there is not a next time. We can’t prevent everything, but we can be prepared. This is a great step forward in being prepared to meet the next threat, human, dog, whatever it is. Mayor Miller and Chief Collins met with us and they have been great to work with. I just feel a lot of hope now and peace for anyone entering the park. Its not zero risk but we are minimizing risk” said Cooper.

“From the very beginning when Martha first called me, I said what is your goal and she said I want to ensure that this never happens to another person in the park,” said Cripps. “I am thrilled that the city is forward leaning and responsive enough to address what really has been an issue long before my sister (Martha) suffered her attack. We have had problems at the park of a significant nature in terms of bad behavior of attendees and people using the park. This won’t just help Martha it’ll help everyone over there. They have school parties and picnics over there and so this is needed. The thing that breaks my heart is that Martha had to get hurt. It seems there has to be a pretty serious disaster to get the public’s attention and the attention of the city fathers and city mothers. I’m very grateful to Mayor Miller and to Chief Collins. He (Collins) reached out to Martha and wanted to make things right and he has put his best foot forward in doing that,” said Cripps.

GreenWave Solar of Murfreesboro is a step closer to developing a solar farm project here.The Smithville Board of Zoning ...
06/02/2026

GreenWave Solar of Murfreesboro is a step closer to developing a solar farm project here.

The Smithville Board of Zoning Appeals Monday afternoon held a public hearing and then voted unanimously on a request for a special exception in order for GreenWave to locate its 16,000 solar panel farm on 35 acres of a 100 acre site which lies partly within and outside the city limits between Allen’s Ferry Road and the TVA substation on West Main Street near the DCHS campus. The project will also be subject to a review by the Smithville Municipal Planning Commission.

“Green Wave Solar delivers renewable energy solutions for homeowners, businesses, and large-scale energy partners throughout the Tennessee Valley,” according to the company website.

Landon Cason, owner of GreenWave Solar, who attended Monday’s BZA meeting, said this project is a joint venture between his company, TVA, Smithville Electric System, and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative sought by the utility companies to provide a cheaper source of energy for them.

“TVA has a flexibility program where they will allow the local power companies to build their own sources of power. The utility companies (Smithville Electric System and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative) reached out to us and we identified a site near one of their substations and we’re going to provide them some solar power as a cheap source of energy. They share this substation (on West Main Street) so it’ll be both for Caney Fork Electric and for Smithville Electric System. They will each have a project of their own at the same site,” said Cason.

Although GreenWave Solar has acquired 100 acres for its solar farm here only about 35 or 40 acres will be used. Some of it is in a wetland area. Land not used will be sold or leased for farming

“We’ve got the property. It’s about a 100 acre plot right now, but we only need about 35 to 40 acres for the solar project so we’re currently going through our environmentals and our geotechnical surveys, and that’ll determine the final location of it. The remaining portion of the land will be sold back to a farmer or leased for farming,” Cason explained.

“Our goal here is to be as close to the substation as possible and the ultimate goal is to utilize the land that is the least desirable for farming or development in the future. The area we’ve identified is very swampy. It’s not zoned wetland, but it is basically a wetland area that you couldn’t really build anything else on so a solar project would be perfect for that location. It’s very near the substation. It doesn’t get good crop when they do farm it so in a best-case scenario, we’ll cover that portion with the solar panels and we’re close to the source so we can tie into the substation and we’re not taking away from good farmland or good developable land,” he said.

“There will be 16,000 solar panels on the site and they will be raised probably 2 to 3 feet off the ground will be the bottom portion of it. They will stand about 10 to 12 feet at a 30 degree pitch, and they’re at a fixed tilt so they’re not going to track the sun. They will be fixed to the ground. Post pile driven into the ground. Once they’re set, they’re set, and they’re just going to collect solar rays every day,” explained Cason.

According to Cason, the Solar farm will not generate any noise and its not being tied to or developed for any data centers. He said the only customers will be Smithville Electric System and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative.

“This is just producing energy for the local community. You’ll notice them, but they are going to be tucked far away from the road. There’s tree lines on the east, south, and west side of the property so it’s really kind of out of sight and out of mind. It is relatively near a school, but it’s not going to be problematic and we’re very cautious of causing any issues for the local community. We’re going to work with them on spacing. Since we have a lot of that land to work with, we’re going to keep it nice, tucked in and clean as close to the substation as possible. Right now, the property splits between both the city and the county so a portion of it will be in the city, and a portion of it will be in the county and those environmentals will determine how much of each,” said Cason.

According to Tommy Lee, Director of the Upper Cumberland Development District, who serves as UCDD staff planner and advisor to the City of Smithville, the property is zoned R-1 but utility uses are allowed as a special exception.

Smithville Police are investigating a stabbing incident involving two female teens inside a vehicle at the Walmart parki...
06/01/2026

Smithville Police are investigating a stabbing incident involving two female teens inside a vehicle at the Walmart parking lot Saturday night.
According to police, one of the two teens received multiple stab wounds in the incident and had to be airlifted for medical treatment.
Police said the case remains under investigation and no further details are being released at this time.

A retirement reception was held Wednesday at the county complex for a long-time employee of the county clerk’s office wh...
05/29/2026

A retirement reception was held Wednesday at the county complex for a long-time employee of the county clerk’s office who will be leaving next month.

Tamie Pack, who began her service as a deputy clerk in the summer of 2004, has announced that June 25 will be her last day in the office, completing more than 21 years there.

Many friends stopped by for cake and other refreshments during the reception and to wish Tamie well.

While she is looking forward to retirement and spending more time with her parents and grandchildren, Pack said she will miss her boss, co-workers, and the public.

“They have been so good to me. I love the people I work with and I love the job. I’m blessed to have had this job. The Lord put me here. I had never worked in an office before but the Lord impressed on me that I needed to go put in an application. I didn’t want to because I was scared but I did it and I’m right where I was supposed to be. Its been such a blessing,” said Tamie.

County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss said he appreciates Tamie’s longtime service to the office and the people of the county.

“She will be missed. Its not easy to replace people like Tamie who go above and beyond helping people and she helps me be better at what I do,” said Poss. “As Chief Deputy Clerk, she stood in for me when I had to be out caring for my parents. I could always depend on her”

Tamie has two children and four grandchildren. Her husband, Eudean Pack, passed away in October 2023

A Solar Farm may be coming to SmithvilleThe Smithville Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Monday, June 1 at 4 p.m. at cit...
05/28/2026

A Solar Farm may be coming to Smithville

The Smithville Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Monday, June 1 at 4 p.m. at city hall to consider a request for a special exception for a proposed solar project located off Allen’s Ferry Road.

According to Tommy Lee, Director of the Upper Cumberland Development District, who serves as UCDD staff planner and advisor to the City of Smithville, a company called Green Wave Solar is proposing a solar farm to be located on Allen’s Ferry Road. The property is zoned R-1 but utility uses are allowed as special exception. The special exception is for approximately 24 acres in the city. As you know, the county does not have zoning restrictions and thus anything in the county they can do by right,” said Lee.

“Green Wave Solar delivers renewable energy solutions for homeowners, businesses, and large-scale energy partners throughout the Tennessee Valley,” according to the company website. “Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, we have grown from a local installer into a regional solar provider supporting projects ranging from residential rooftops to multi-megawatt commercial and infrastructure installations”.

“Our team provides turnkey project support including development coordination, design, permitting, construction, and utility interconnection. With strong relationships across local utilities, contractors, and regulatory agencies, Green Wave Solar helps customers and partners successfully deploy solar at every scale”.

“We remain committed to our original mission — making clean energy practical, accessible, and impactful for the communities we serve”.

In other business, the BZA is scheduled to consider a setback request for a parcel located on Dearman Street.

A few people gathered outside the courthouse Monday morning to pay honor and respect to the brave men and women who foug...
05/25/2026

A few people gathered outside the courthouse Monday morning to pay honor and respect to the brave men and women who fought and died for the freedoms Americans today enjoy.

The Memorial Day observance was held by the American Legion Post #122 and Post Commander Carlton Miller was the speaker for the occasion.

“The true way to honor the fallen is to live in a way worthy of their sacrifice. That means strengthening our communities, helping our fellow veterans, supporting military families, and teaching the next generation what this day truly means”.

“We must tell their storie”.

“We must speak their names”

“We must ensure that our children and grandchildren understand that the freedoms they inherit were paid for with courage, service, and sacrifice,” said Post Commander Miller,

Prior to the program, Susan Hinton played patriotic music on the keyboard and during the ceremony, the gathering was led in singing the National Anthem. The closing prayer was offered by Larry Green and members of the American Legion Post #122 and others placed a wreath by the Veterans Memorial Monument on the south side of the courthouse. Taps closed the program.

The following is Miller’s prepared remarks for the occasion:

“Since the founding of the United States, it is estimated that 558 million Americans and immigrants have lived in this country. More than 1.1 million of them have died defending the United States in wars and combat actions since the American Revolution. They each have stories to tell. The crosses at Normandy. The graves at Arlington. The markers at Punchbowl. The fallen heroes who rest in places unknown”.

“We are here for them”.

“We are here for heroes such as West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was mortally wounded by a terrorist while she patrolled the streets of Washington, D.C., on November 26th. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was seriously wounded in the same attack”.

“Specialist Beckstrom’s high school principal recalled her as someone who quote “Carried herself with quiet strength, a contagious smile and a positive energy that lifted people around her.”

“How could we all not be lifted by the breathtaking sacrifices that veterans have made and continue to make on our behalf?”

“We are here for Specialist Beckstrom, her grieving family members and her friends. We are here to support Staff Sergeant Wolfe and his challenging road to recovery”.

“We do not forget”.

“We are here for the 2,341 American servicemembers who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor 85 years ago”.

“We are here for the 3,100 combat deaths and thousands more who succumbed to the elements at Korea’s “frozen” Chosin Reservoir”.

“We are here for the men and women who continue to lose their lives during operations in the Middle East”.

“From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, Americans from communities throughout the United States have answered their nation’s call and made the ultimate sacrifice”.

“Included on this hallowed list of heroes is Air Force Staff Sergeant William Pitsenbarger. Sixty years ago, in a thick jungle near Saigon, a company of soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division was surrounded and outnumbered by Viet Cong. Enemy soldiers were estimated to be close to 400”.

“Pitsenbarger, a pararescue jumper, voluntarily entered the danger area through a helicopter drop, so he could administer aid and evacuate the wounded. Armed with a rifle, pistol and medical bag, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation nine times while he helped others get to safety. He repeatedly collected and distributed ammunition to soldiers under fire. He continued assisting others, while fighting the enemy even after being wounded three times”.

“Pits” as he was affectionately called by his friends, would fall in battle. He epitomized the motto of pararescue jumpers, which is, quote- “These things we do…that others may live.”-

“His body was later found with his rifle in one hand, and his medical bag in the other. He was 21”.

“For his actions taken on April 11, 1966, William H. Pitsenbarger of Piqua, Ohio, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to staff sergeant”.

“The families started and children produced by those he rescued will always be Staff Sergeant Pitsenbarger’s legacy”.

“He did, so others may live. It is an ethos shared by so many of America’s fallen heroes”.

“From those who absorbed the blast of a gr***de while saving their friends, to those who died rescuing crew from a sinking ship, we take this day to reflect on ordinary Americans exhibiting extraordinary valor”.

“To honor the legacy of the fallen, we should all commit to the freedom offered by the greatest nation on earth. A land where patriotism eclipses politics, where the American Flag is displayed proudly and frequently and where military veterans are society’s true celebrities”.

“We must NEVER forget the families of our fallen. Long after the battlefield guns have been silenced and the bombs stop exploding, the children of our fallen warriors will still be missing a parent. Spouses will be without their life partners. Parents will continue to grieve for their heroic sons and daughters that died way too early”.

“We need to be present for them, not just as members of The American Legion Family – but as American citizens. Nobody can replace these fallen heroes – especially in the eyes of their families – but we can offer shoulders to cry on, assistance with educational expenses and assurances that their loved one’s sacrifice will not be forgotten”.

“There are many ways to honor the fallen. While we can still enjoy recreational activities over Memorial Day weekend, we take this moment – this special moment – to remember the price that was paid for us to enjoy our American way of life”.

“Remembering and honoring the legacies of those who didn’t make it back is the true meaning of Memorial Day”.

“Let us remember that tyrannical regimes have been toppled and genocides stopped because Americans sacrificed life and limb. Let us remember that terrorist plots were foiled and killers brought to justice because Americans were willing to pay a high price. Let us remember that without a U.S. military, the world would be a far more oppressive and darker place. Let us remember that freedom has no greater friend than the American soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman and Space Force Guardian”.

“The Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion charges our organization to “Preserve the memories and incidents of our association in all wars.”

“The true way to honor the fallen is to live in a way worthy of their sacrifice. That means strengthening our communities, helping our fellow veterans, supporting military families, and teaching the next generation what this day truly means”.

“We must tell their storie”.

“We must speak their names”

“We must ensure that our children and grandchildren understand that the freedoms they inherit were paid for with courage, service, and sacrifice”.

“Abraham Lincoln said a nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure. He was right. But we should also ask ourselves, would a nation that didn’t honor its heroes be a nation in which we would want to live?”

“Your attendance here answers that question”.

“We are here for them”.

“Thank you, God Bless America, God Bless Our Veterans and God Bless our Gold Star Families,” said Post Commander Miller.

Address

2606 McMinnville Highway
Smithville, TN
37166

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