Pull out the flags, put on red, white and blue, and head down to the Catoosa Citizens and Veterans Memorial at Benton Place campus June 26, for the Catoosa and Walker Veterans Celebration Day.

“Catoosa and Walker have needed this for a long time,” said Catoosa Commissioner Mark Fletcher, memorial board chairman. “There are a lot of veterans who do not get recognized, and this is a good opportunity.”

In conjunction with the event, one veteran from each county will be honored as Veteran of the Year.

“Planning for the event is going great,” said Yvonne Morgan, memorial board secretary. “I am so excited about the response both counties are giving in support of the event.

“We are hoping to have a tremendous crowd to not only honor our veterans but to celebrate the freedom that all citizens enjoy due to the sacrifices of so many overseas and here at home,” she said “The event is scheduled between the fourth of July honoring our nation’s birth and June 6, the 60th anniversary of D-Day — two very significant events in the history of American veterans.”

A dinner including hot dogs, watermelon and Coca-Cola will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by a time of fellowship. Door prizes will be available.

Morgan said that organizers are asking for a $10 donation that includes dinner and eligibility to win door prizes.

“We want everyone to come and participate in the wonderful event,” she said. “We won’t turn anyone away. Your donations to support the memorial will help us make great strides in completing this wonderful tribute to our citizens and veterans.”

Don Welch of News Channel 9 WTVC will be master of ceremonies for the event. The Ringgold Gap Band will be performing bluegrass, patriotic and gospel music, while Mike Key will perform the “Star Spangled Banner.” Stefanie Wittler, Soddy Daisy Junior Miss, will sing “America the Beautiful.”

Fireworks will conclude the evening’s program. Catoosa County will make a proclamation.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 203 of Chattanooga will post the colors and provide a 21-gun salute, Morgan said.

“As part of the ceremony, pilots will participate flying over the event recognizing all of our military that served in the air,” she said. “Civil War re-enactors will participate recognizing our gallant soldiers from the antebellum era.”

The awards program will begin at 8 p.m. All nominees will be recognized and the two Veterans of the Year will be designated. In addition, one veteran from each county will be given a Patriotism Award.

“Our committee was gratified by the number of nominees made in both counties for our Veteran of the Year Awards,” Fletcher said. “The nominees of around 40 will receive a special gift bag.”

“All of these veterans continue to make a difference in their community today,” Morgan said. “It was hard to make a decision on from this admirable group of individuals.

“I think it is going to bring awareness to the memorial to see what we are doing,” she said. “Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and your patriotic spirit.”

The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners and Walker County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell dedicated the day in honor of area veterans and are fully supporting the event, Morgan said, adding that Catoosa Sheriff Phil Summers and Walker Sheriff Steve Wilson have lent their support to the event.

Other memorial board members are Clifford Payne, Lance Reese, Ross Andrews and Jack Killian.

Catoosa Citizens and Veterans Memorial sponsors include The Catoosa County News, Walker County Messenger, Linda Fricks, 2-A Appliance, Al and Helen Smith, Angel Emergency Medical Service, Blood Assurance, Capital Bank, Chuck Frye Art, Coca-Cola, Colonial Sara Lee, Erlanger South Family Medicine, Forrest Cate Ford, Gail’s Florist, Gateway Bank & Trust, Great American Music, Heritage Funeral Home, Hutcheson Medical Center, Ingle’s, Kathy Cooksey, Kitchens Plus, Lane Funeral Home, Busy Shopper, Lisa’s Gold and Diamonds, Mashburn Equipment Sales, Ringgold Art and Frame Gallery, Ringgold Telephone Co., Rossville Bank, The Burning Bush Formalwear, UCTV3, Veterans of Foreign War Post 3679, Walter Jackson Chevrolet, Whitfield Oil, Wilson Funeral Home and WRCB TV 3