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| From left: David and Martha Jo Montgomery, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, Amanda Montgomery, Connor Montgomery, Trooper Montgomery, Andrea Montgomery, Aaron Montgomery and John Keys, Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. |
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Gov. Phil Bredesen joined officials from the departments of Human Resources, Military and Veterans Affairs and members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard to honor Tennessee's veterans working in state government.
The observance paid tribute to the veterans who have served in every conflict since the nation's founding, as well as the service of soldiers currently serving at home and abroad.
Bredesen spoke about the sacrifices of fellow Tennesseans and the strain it puts upon their loved ones a home.
"Today we pay a special tribute to all the veterans here in Tennessee who have made this 'the Volunteer State' by time and again answering our nation's call to duty - both at home and abroad," said Bredesen.
He also paid special tribute to those veterans who continue to serve by working in state government, recognizing four state employees from the departments of Military, Correction, Safety and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Representing the Department of Safety was Trooper Grant Montgomery of Dyer County. He served in the Army's 268th Military Police Company in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from April of 2007 to June 2008.
"These individuals, for whom public duty is a way of life, continue to serve our state and its people in so many ways," said Bredesen. "In all corners of state government, veterans are working for the good of Tennessee each and every day. As we honor these brave men and women, it is also appropriate to honor their families ... and thank them for the sacrifices they make when the time comes for their loved ones to serve. We recognize those sacrifices, and we recognize that we must do everything in our power to ease those burdens for families, both when our servicemen and women are away, and when they return home. This is also a time to remember those we have lost in the line of duty. We salute those brave men and women who gave their lives to defend our freedom. We honor and remember them."