A familiar ritual for this time of year, but a meaningful one…as we pause to pay tribute to the men and women who have fought and died in defense of our country.

Memorial Day 2019 is being punctuated by tributes in Knoxville during the weekend; veterans were joined by volunteers on Saturday in erecting flags at Graceland Cemetery, and then staged the traditional 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps” as a poignant reminder of those who paid the ultimate price.

This also included the selection of 15 veterans to receive Quilts of Valor in ceremonies at Knoxville High School on Sunday, as well as the annual Avenue of Flags display along Lincoln Street.