Last Edited: December 29, 2021 @ 7:37 am

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Veterans Day Parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 6, with pre-parade ceremonies set for 9 a.m. in front of the historic courthouse (south side) on Third Street in downtown Clarksville. The keynote speaker is US Army retired Colonel Vernon Lightner, who now serves as the JROTC Director of Army Instruction for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

This year’s Veterans Day parade theme is “Salute to Veterans in Education.” 

For those participants and spectators who are unable to social distance, we encourage the wearing of facemasks. For those unable to attend in person, the parade will be broadcast live on the Montgomery County Facebook page and will later be broadcast on Clarksville Community Network (CCN). CDE subscribers can find CCN on channel 908 (cable) and channel 6 (streaming services).

The Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of N. Eighth and College streets, next to the Sundquist Science Building at Austin Peay State University, with the reviewing stand at the Third Street side of the courthouse. The parade will proceed from College left onto University Avenue, right onto Main Street, left onto 3rd Street, left onto Commerce Street, left onto University Avenue, right onto Franklin Street, left onto 8th Street, and back to the APSU parking area.

“The Veterans Day Parade has been a major event for our community for decades. We hope that this annual celebration of our military veterans can bring some much-needed normalcy to our community in these continuing uncertain times,” said VSO Director Andrew Kester.

For more information, contact the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization at 553-5173. Parade entry forms for veterans groups and other local organizations, can be found online or picked up along with the route maps at the VSO office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, or by e-mail request to vetsvc@mcgtn.net. Parade entries will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 22.

Last Edited: November 19, 2021 @ 1:48 pm

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Veterans Service Office (VSO) will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 13 through Friday, Oct. 15 while the staff attends mandatory training at the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) annual conference. 

All veterans service officers credentialed by TDVS must attend the conference and pass the exam following the training, to remain credentialed. 

Although the office will be closed from Oct. 13 through Oct. 15, people can call 931-553-5173 or 931-553-5174 for questions and set up appointments. The office will resume normal operating hours on Monday, Oct. 18 at 8 a.m.

For more information on the Montgomery County VSO, visit mcgtn.org. 

Last Edited: November 19, 2021 @ 1:48 pm

What:     Third Street Road closure between Commerce and Franklin streets 

Why:       Work project at the Historic Courthouse 

When:     7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Thursday, October 7, 2021

Who:       Those who work in or visit the downtown area will need to take an alternate route during this time period.

Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:46 am

Recent retired Master Sergeant now serving the community 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Government recently hired Zoyie Jackson as Montgomery County’s new Diversity and Inclusion Officer. 

Jackson is a 20-year U.S. Army Veteran who officially retires as a Master Sergeant in October 2021. Her last position in the military was Division Equal Opportunity Advisor for Fort Campbell, KY home of the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT). She has completed four full combat tours; two in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, one in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and one tour in Afghanistan.

“We are thankful to have Zoyie on board. Her experience will be a great benefit to Montgomery County Government as we continue to grow and develop in training and inclusion,” said Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

Jackson has a long list of accolades from her military service. Some of those awards include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NATO International Security Afghanistan Forces Award, the Meritorious Unit Award, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

She holds an Associate Degree in Computer Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, and is a graduate from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute as an Equal Opportunity Advisor and Certified Conflict Resolution Mediator. 

“I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to assist Montgomery County Government by fostering a workplace environment that acknowledges, respects, and includes differences, recognizing the unique skills, talents, and contribution of each individual employee. I am also excited about connecting with Fort Campbell, the City of Clarksville, and local businesses on events and creating a greater awareness concerning diversity in our community,” said Jackson.

She is the proud mother of two sons and four grandchildren.

To connect with Jackson, you can email her at zmjackson@mcgtn.net or call 931-648-5715 ext. 12313.

Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:41 am

Montgomery County, TN — Artwork for the Fort Campbell Railroad Bridge near Gate 2 above Fort Campbell Boulevard was completed on September 29, 2021. This was a project that began in January 2020 by the Montgomery County Public Art Ad Hoc Committee with a call for artists to submit their ideas. 

“This has taken some time, between the submission, the selection, approval process, delays in materials, and waiting for several consecutive days of good weather before the material could be applied to the bridge. I am thrilled with the outcome! These types of projects are what the Public Art Committee and Montgomery County are all about, paying gratitude to the men and women who serve at Fort Campbell,” stated Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett. 

Going toward the Post, drivers will see images that represent Fort Campbell, and those driving towards Clarksville will see images that are representative of Clarksville, Montgomery County.

The chosen artist, Paul Jones, drew and painted the original artwork by hand and had it turned into a vector file for submission. Jones, originally from Upstate New York, came to Clarksville to visit friends in April 2014, fell in love with the community, and made the permanent move by July of that year.

“Painting is something I love to do when I’m not working at Trane or hanging out with family. My goal with this project was to tie in the most symbolic images from the community like the brickwork from the Historic Courthouse, Wilma Rudolph, and the Cumberland River. I’m honored to contribute to the community and Fort Campbell through my artwork. I solicited help with transitioning the art into computer format. It was a process, but worth it. My whole family came down to see it!” exclaimed Jones.

Gerald Printing won the bid on the project and used a vinyl wrap to bring the artwork to life on the bridge. 

"Our company was proud to participate in a project that provided us with an opportunity to help make our home look even better," said Gerald Printing Sales Representative Jacob Downey.

The Montgomery County Public Art Ad Hoc Committee was established in 2017 and is comprised of community citizens who are interested in bringing public art to Clarksville, Montgomery County. Funding for the designated projects comes from a percentage of specific Montgomery County Government bonds.

“The committee is thrilled to see this project come to fruition! We are thankful for the investment from the County and the vision Mayor Durrett had to expand public art in this community. Mr. Jones has also been a pleasure to work with as we made changes throughout the process,” said Montgomery County Public Art Ad Hoc Committee Chair Stacey Streetman.

Since the Montgomery County Public Art Ad Hoc Committee was established, funding has been designated towards completed projects such as the ornate iron sphere at Downtown Commons, the 19th Amendment Women’s Right to Vote statue at Public Square, and the Fort Campbell bridge project. Plans involve an installation art piece at Patriot’s Park and a Colored Troops bronze statue for Fort Defiance.