Salute to those who serve happening across the region for Veterans Day. FRIDAY

RED, WHITE AND BLUE SALUTES TO VETERANS

Fresh off a contentious election season, the national observance of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, serves to remind us all of how America’s freedoms have been won and protected.

Here are some of the local events that will honor those who have served.

VETERANS DAY SERVICE

The annual Veterans Day service at Chattanooga National Cemetery , 1200 Bailey Ave., will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11.

BENEFIT CONCERT

› In Crossville, Tenn., the Cumberland County Community Chorus, Cumberland County Community Band and Stone Mountain High School Choir will present a musical fundraiser at 7 p.m. CST today, Nov. 10, at SMHS, 2800 Cook Road.

Selections will include a range of patriotic songs, including “God Bless America, “God Bless the USA” and Irving Berlin’s “America.”

Admission to the concert is free. Donations will go to the Cumberland County Korean War Veterans Association, Post 297.

A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park in Crossville.

HONOR SUNDAY

Living Faith Church, 5755 Casandra Smith Road in Hixson, is inviting area veterans to Honor Sunday at 11 a.m. on Nov. 13.

The service will honor any member of the armed forces who has served the country in any capacity, says Claud Kruse Sr.

For more information, call the church at 423-771-7325.

VETERANS CONCERT

Ringgold High School students, including the chorus and band, will lead a concert honoring veterans from the Ringgold, Ga., area today, Nov. 10. The concert starts at 7 p.m. in the school’s Performing Arts Center, 29 Tiger Trail.

PARK DEDICATION

The Bledsoe County Veterans Park will be dedicated in ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 11, in Pikeville, Tenn. A reception will follow at the adjacent farmers market.

Encompassing 6,400 square feet, the park has been designed to be one of the major focal points of the revitalized downtown area. The site is at 3150 Main St. next to the Bledsoe County Courthouse, bordering Cumberland Avenue to the south.

At the center of the inner sanctuary is a 32-foot, five-point star at ground level, with a flag pole at each tip representing each branch of service and a center pole flying the American flag. Also at each point will be two double-faced granite tablets where the names of Bledsoe County veterans are engraved. Bordering the circle are four curved resting benches where future Bledsoe County veterans’ names will be engraved. The exterior wall of the benches is reserved for veterans from outside Bledsoe County.

The 8-foot-wide Walk of Honor, surrounding the park, will be laid with engraved brick pavers, available for purchase to honor a veteran. There also will be an 80-foot-long back wall honoring friends and service veterans between the veterans park and farmers market.

Call 423-447-6731 for more information.

PATRIOTIC CONCERT

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will present a free concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. This is the fifth consecutive year that the CSO has presented a family-friendly concert for veterans, their families and the larger community.

The CSO’s Brass and Percussion Ensemble, conducted by CSO Music Director Kayoko Dan, will present a program of patriotic favorites. The musicians will be joined by the Lee University Singers, directed by Brad Moffett.

“The CSO has been a part of the Chattanooga community for 84 years now,” says Executive Director Samantha Teter. “We look forward to being a part of the activities honoring our veterans and those still serving on this day.” Kayoko Dan, music director of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, will direct the CSO’s Brass and Percussion Ensemble in a free patriotic concert Friday, Nov. 11, at Memorial Auditorium. Joining the musicians will be the Lee University Singers, directed by Brad Moffett.