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Smyrna holds Memorial Day ceremony and to release documentary marking Blue Angels crash
Summary
Smyrna’s Memorial Day ceremony honored fallen service members, featured a keynote remembrance of Captain Jeff Koos and included musical tributes; town officials said a documentary about the community response to the 2016 Blue Angels crash will be released after the ceremony.
Smyrna — The town held its annual Memorial Day ceremony on the municipal grounds, with Town Manager David Santucci opening the program and inviting the crowd to honor service members who gave their lives for the nation.
"On behalf of the citizens of the town of Smyrna, I would like to welcome each of you to this celebration," said David Santucci, identifying himself as town manager.
The event included a presentation of colors by the Smyrna Fire Department Honor Guard and an invocation delivered by Chaplain Tim York, who prayed for gratitude and remembrance of "those who have given the ultimate sacrifice." Porter Barrows led the Pledge of Allegiance and Nancy List performed the national anthem.
In introductory remarks, the program noted that on June 2 the town will mark the tenth anniversary of the Blue Angels crash that killed Captain Jeff Koos and said that, following the ceremony, Smyrna will release a documentary about the community’s response to that 2016 tragedy.
Dr. Clark Harrell, introduced as a retired lieutenant colonel and Air Force chaplain, delivered the keynote. Recounting his role in the aftermath of the crash, Harrell described accompanying aircrew and families during the earliest hours and urged the community to remember the sacrifices of veterans and service members.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," Harrell said, invoking scripture in his remarks about sacrifice, service and communal support for grieving families.
Ron Alley, director of Carpe Artista, presented a song written by Cindy Ellis as part of a veterans songwriting program; the performance included a tribute to veterans and drew applause. After the musical tribute the town’s wreath was placed at the memorial with assistance from Commander Daryl Burke and Dr. Harrell, and retired U.S. Army bandsman Robert K. McElroy played Taps.
The ceremony concluded with Santucci thanking participants and noting that the local VFW post (10157 Old Nashville Highway) invited attendees to lunch.
No formal votes or actions were taken at the event; organizers described the gathering as a civic remembrance and announced the documentary release as a forthcoming item for public viewing.
