Paper seeks nominees for profiles

There’s a reason Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State — the willingness of the state’s residents to volunteer for military service.

Some historians claim the state earned the nickname in the War of 1812 because many young Tennesseans volunteered to fight the British.

Others believe the moniker was earned during the Mexican War in 1846, when state officials in Nashville put out a call for 2,600 Tennessee volunteers and got 30,000.

Regardless, Tennesseans have always proudly displayed their patriotism and loyalty to their country.

To honor veterans, the Times Free Press is inviting readers to nominate them to be featured in the “Twenty-One Veteran Salute,” a series of profiles of veterans to be published in the newspaper from Nov. 5 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Veterans in Chattanooga and surrounding Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama counties may be nominated.

If you know of a veteran deserving of this honor, please nominate them via email, U.S. Postal Service mail or online at www.timesfreepress.com and include the following information: Name, age, why they are worthy of a tribute, and contact information for you and the veteran.

Email nominations to news@ timesfreepress.com or mail them to Beth Blansit, Chattanooga Times Free Press, 400 E. 11th St., Chattanooga, TN 37403. Online nominations may be made at www. timesfreepress.com/veterans.