Honoring vets: Newspaper 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 during the War of 1812 because so many young Tennesseans volunteered to fight the British.

Others believe the moniker was earned during the Mexican-American 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.

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

Veterans in Hamilton County and surrounding Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama counties can be nominated.

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

Last year the response was overwhelming, and we expect this year will be even bigger.

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 bit.ly/2PU1MBP. The last day to submit nominations is Friday, Sept. 21.

Missed last year’s profiles? You can read them now at timesfreepress.com/twentyone.