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The City of Elizabethton is planning a Memorial Day ceremony to honor those who gave their lives for the United States of America.

The event will take place May 30 at the Veterans War Memorial Plaza in downtown Elizabethton from 11 a.m. to noon.

Elizabethton City Council Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Carter once again is spearheading the celebration to recognize and honor over 250 American heroes from here in Carter County.

“We have the replacement of the flags to begin the ceremony,” said Carter. “We will be sharing a brief history on what the day means and a reading of all the names that are on the monuments from each war at the Veterans War Memorial.”

The Veterans Oversight Committee for the War Memorial and Walk of Honor of which Carter is chairman will be in charge of the brief ceremony.

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.

Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

Carter said that taking the time to remember these heroes who died is an important part of never forgetting the sacrifices they made as well as the sacrifices their families made in seeing those brave men and women go to defend freedom.

“That is the ultimate sacrifice given by the citizens of Carter County,” said Carter. “Tennessee, as well as Carter County, has always been veteran-friendly and we have always taken seriously the service of our citizens.”