The East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association oversaw the development of the project receiving our final award this evening, a memorial plaza honoring East Tennesseans who were awarded the Medal of Honor and those who gave their lives to preserve our freedom.

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Located in the shadow of the old L & N Railroad Station, the Veterans Memorial is an outstanding, heart felt addition to World’s Fair Park.

The vision for the plan was shared with Brewer Ingram Fuller Architects and Ross/Fowler, the landscape architects.

A bell tower reminds us of our freedoms of worship and speech, and our freedoms from and fear and want. The pillars honoring the Medal of Honor recipients are powerful tributes, and provide context to the battles in which their bravery came to the fore. The reverse sides of those pillars are inscribed with quotations of the Presidents and officers who led those soldiers.

A granite wall frames the bell tower, echoing the admonition to "Let Freedom Ring".

Subdued lighting creates a reflective setting. With references to the shores and fields of France, the South Pacific, Korea and Vietnam, we experience a sobering connection to our history.

With our flag serving as a centerpiece, the memorial is the northern anchor of the park. The inscription of President Kennedy’s remarks are particularly poignant to the setting: A Nation Reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers. Please join me in honoring the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association for their gift to our community.