Blount County Historical Museum hosts salute to Tennessee’s fallen

The Blount County Historical Museum will host a temporary exhibit that honors Tennessee’s Fallen.

It is a traveling pictorial memorial honoring military casualties from Tennessee in the War on Terror.

The exhibit will be at the museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Saturday July 12. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday for those who would like to see this exhibit.

Other days/hours may be available by appointment by calling the Blount County Historical Museum at 865-233-0006.

Displayed are military and civilian photographs of more than 130 personnel who lost their lives in Kuwait, Iraq or Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001. Its legacy will be that these men and women will be remembered, and their names will be spoken, while helping to lessen the grief of their families.

Several names from the area are on the memorial, including one who made Blount County his home. Sgt. Michael H. Ferschke, Jr. who was killed in action at the age of 22 in 2008, is honored on this memorial. Others from Monroe, Sevier, Loudon, and Knox counties are prevalent on the wall. One of the most touching things on the memorial is the notes from family and friends.

The display is made possible through the support of Bi-Centennial Volunteers Inc., Rusty Wallace Auto Group, (East Tennessee), Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee Valley Authority Retirees Association. “Salute to Tennessee’s Fallen” is available through The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee, Inc.