Resthaven Memorial Gardens will hold it's 18th annual Veterans Day Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 8th at 2 p.m. in their Veterans "Garden of Valor".

The service for this year, which will feature several new elements, will include participation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, AM Vets, Marine Corp League 1206, American Legion, Tennessee State Guard, Cocke County High School JROTC, Jefferson County High School JROTC.

This year's guest speaker will be Dr. Amie Lonas, a retired Major in the TN Air National Guard, who returned from Iraq this spring where she developed the first of its kind Advisor School, Women's Conference for Iraqi Professional Women, and English Language Training Academy in Baghdad. Amie is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal as well as 14 other awards and decorations. Dr. Lonas is also the principal of Maury Middle School. For our special music Brooke Sourbeer and Jessie Kuhns Rice will sing and Stan Barbee will be playing bagpipes. Others expected to attend are Newport City Mayor Connie Ball, Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan, State Representative Eddie Yokely, State Representative Frank Nicely, District Attorney Jimmy Dunn, Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri, Reverend Mike Hensley, Pastor of Swannsylvania Baptist Church and Reverend Tom Mooty, Pastor of West End Baptist Church.

Bruce Claiborne, president of Resthaven states that the "Garden of Valor" is dedicated to all Veterans and their families. Resthaven rewards all active and honorably discharged Veterans and their minor children burial space in the "Garden of Valor" at no charge for those who register in advance. You may reserve your space by calling the Resthaven office at 623-3263 or by mailing in the coupon found in today's Newport Plain Talk.

Resthavn is located on Highway 25/70 (the Old Knoxville Hwy.) at the Cocke County line in the Reidtown Community.

For more information about the annual Veterans Day Celebration or the "Garden of Valor", call the Resthaven office at 623-3263.