The Carter County community celebrated the Fourth of July in a variety of ways Thursday. The Carter County Democrats decided to use the holiday to highlight veterans and members of the Honor Guard who society sometimes forgets about.

Chairperson Kristi Carr said members of the National Honor Guard typically go under-appreciated.

“It is important we recognize them as much as we can,” Carr said.

This recognition took place during the opening ceremonies of the Fourth of July celebrations that took place at the Covered Bridge Park. At noon, Reverend Timothy Holder gave an invocation to the crowd, and the Carter County Democrats presented a new wreath to go on the Veterans Memorial in Elizabethton, a new permanent addition to what the memorial stands for.

“We are very pleased to be able to do it,” she said.

Carr said the Honor Guard was present for her father’s funeral, and she said they are over-worked and under-staffed.

“For families of veterans, they are a meaningful and important part of the ceremony,” Carr said.

The wreath she said, serves to honor and recognize veterans who have made the sacrifices needed to keep the U.S. safe. For people like her father, she said those battles do not end once they come home.

“It was a war that lasted a lifetime for him,” Carr said.

Veterans and members of the Honor Guard were present for the festivities Thursday, and they made themselves available to talk to various people in attendance, willing to answer questions about the work they do and ways citizens can get involved in the Honor Guard or assisting veterans in their communities.

“As the Democratic Party, we are very thankful for our veterans,” she said.

She said they wanted, in particular, to highlight the Honor Guard’s need for volunteers.

“We are trying to spread the word,” Carr said. “If you know any veterans, [the Honor Guard] is in need of help.”

For those who are looking for more information or to volunteer, Carr said to contact Kelly Greene, Commander of the Carter County Honor Guard American Legion Post 49, at 423-895-3819 or by their website at www.cartercountyhonorguard.com.