Veterans Memorials Across Tennessee

Commemorate Veteran’s Day at Tennessee’s memorials and military museums. Learn about those who served our country at immersive exhibits, battlefields and memorials where you can take part in quiet reflection. Plan your visit today.

Memorial Sites in and near Nashville

Tennessee State Museum - Nashville

Spend a day diving deep into Tennessee’s history at the Tennessee State Museum. Walk through hundreds of years of Tennessee history. You can see artifacts dating back from 1760 as well as film and images that share how Tennessee became the 16th state. Marvel at a rare 13-star United States Flag in a Revolutionary War exhibit, American light artillery uniform from the War of 1812, medals from World War I and World War II and much more. The Tennessee State Museum is always free to visit. 

Veterans Memorial Park – Franklin

Williamson County, Tennessee military personnel from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan are honored at The Williamson County Veterans Park. Each soldier’s name and war are etched into bricks throughout the memorial. Take a walk along the paved pathways for quiet reflection. Then, head to downtown Franklin to see the United States Colored Troop Soldier Statue that represents the 186,000 United States Colored Troops soldiers who fought in the Civil War for the country’s freedom and their own as well as five markers that tell the story of the old courthouse on the square where slaves were bought and sold, the Battle of Franklin, the U.S. Colored Troop Soldiers, the 1867 race riot and Reconstruction. 

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage – Nashville 

Experience the 9th annual Field of Honor on the grounds of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage now through Nov. 16, 2024. Free and open to the public, the Field of Honor is a patriotic display of 1,000 3’5’ American flags flying in tribute to servicemen and women. Field of Honor covers Victory Field, a designated area at The Hermitage, a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark and home to the 7th U.S. president. It’s the only commemorative display of its kind held on a presidential homesite. 

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park – Pall Mall

Learn about Sergeant Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I at the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall, north of Jamestown, Tennessee. The park includes a visitor center modeled after York’s general store, his two-story house, a gristmill, World War I trench where the life of an American doughboy is reenacted throughout the year, and the York Bible School. Guided tours are offered daily of York’s home and a paid driving tour of the World River Valley every Saturday and Sunday.

Beechcraft Heritage Museum – Tullahoma

Beechcraft Heritage Museum is an aviation museum about 76 miles south of Nashville that preserves the history of Beechcraft. Inside, you’ll find incredibly preserved aircraft as well as military trainers. You can see models dating back from 1932 to present. Each year, the Beech Party sees more than 140 aircraft, pilots and aviation enthusiasts from around the globe. It’s a great way to marvel at the rare aircraft and learn about the technical aspects of the aircraft from historical experts.

Veteran Memorials in and near Knoxville

East Tennessee Veterans Memorial - Knoxville, TN

The East Tennessee Veterans Memorial near World’s Fair Park in Knoxville is a formal arrangement of granite pillars that are etched with the names of 6,316 fallen soldiers from 35 East Tennessee counties who died in military service during conflicts since World War I. On the reverse side of the pillars, the names of the 15 Medal of Honor East Tennessee recipients are inscribed. A bell tower tolls for those lost and for the four essential freedoms that are defended. It’s a peaceful place to quietly thank those who gave their all.

Sharp's Ridge Veterans Memorial Park - Knoxville, TN

Featuring stunning views of Knoxville below, Sharp’s Ridge Veterans Memorial Park features hiking trails and 4.7 miles of multi-use trails that wind through wooded hills. Birding and mountain biking are popular activities as well. Take the Sharp’s Ridge Trail for some of the most stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s the perfect spot to snap amazing fall foliage photos. 

Tennessee Museum of Aviation – Sevierville 

You’ll want to spend hours in The Hangar at Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville. First, browse the museum, which has exhibits tracing aviation and military history and artifacts that include aviation memorabilia, uniforms and aircraft models and parts, including a Gnome Rotary Model B Engine and a Link Aviation C-11B Instrument Trainer. Then, marvel at the many planes you’ll see in The Hangar including a Naval North American T-28B Trojan, a Douglas A-1H Skyraider “Lieutenant America,” and the light attack and observation aircraft North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco. 

Oak Ridge

Tennessee’s “Secret City” was home to thousands of people who worked on the revolutionary science that developed during the top-secret, government project, The Manhattan Project which led to the creation of atomic weapons that brought an end to World War II. Learn about national security, energy leadership, environmental restoration and more at the American Museum of Science and Energy. The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is housed in the 1944 elementary school building that was built to educate the children of Manhattan Project workers. The K-25 History Center dives into the story of K-25 and the workers from the Manhattan Project through the Cold War which includes exhibits and more than 250 original artifacts. Additionally, the New Hope Visitor Center at Y-12 dives into the history of Y-12 including how the Y-12 plant enriched uranium as well as the nuclear research that continues at the Y-12 National Security Complex. 

Veterans Overlook at Clinch Mountain – Bean Station

You’ll find stunning views and one of Tennessee’s Colorblind Viewfinders at the Veterans Overlook at Clinch Mountain. The memorial honors Granger County veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War, Panama, Lebanon/Grenada, Vietnam, Korea, World War I and World War II. 

Memorials in and near Memphis

Memphis

Spend time in quiet reflection at the Memphis Veterans Plaza which contains memorials to the soldiers who were killed defending freedom in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Desert Storm. The West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery hosts an annual Veterans Day commemoration that includes flags displayed on every grave Nov. 11, 2024. The ceremony includes the singing of the national anthem, a flyover, posting of colors, Pledge of Allegiance, music, a 21-gun salute and more. Additionally, Wreaths Across America, an event that ceremonially places a wreath next to each grave, occurs every December.

Discovery Park of America – Union City

Discovery Park of America is a 50-acre outdoor heritage park and 100,000-square-foot museum that includes a military gallery with displays about the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War and current military conflicts. Hanging from the ceiling is a reproduction of the first craft to successfully perform a manned flight as well as examples of aircraft and military vehicles you can climb in and explore. See military weapons, uniforms and other artifacts. Outside, Freedom Square is a replica of a 20th century, small-town Main Street, complete with Liberty Hall, a barbershop, firehouse and Hobb’s Drug Store. You’ll also discover the Walk of Heroes featuring historic figures like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Ronald Reagan. In honor of Veterans Day 2024, all veterans, active-duty military and their immediate family members can enjoy free admission to Discover Park Saturday, Nov. 8, 2024 and Sunday, Nov. 9, 2024.

Shiloh National Military Park - Shiloh

Visit Shiloh National Military Park, the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War that saw 23,746 casualties – more casualties than in all of America’s previous wars combined. Immerse yourself in the Civil War history of this site by visiting the Shiloh Battlefield Interpretive Center where you can see exhibit spaces about the life of a soldier, artifacts, cannons and the award-winning film “Shiloh: Fiery Trial.” Take a self-guided audio tour that includes 22 stops to famous places like Peach Orchard and the Hornet’s Nest. Be sure to check the daily schedule at the Visitor Center for ranger-led interpretive programs. All veterans and active-duty service members and their spouses can enjoy a free guided bus tour as a thank you to their service for Veterans Day 2024 on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m.

Veteran Memorials in Chattanooga

National Medal of Honor Heritage Center - Chattanooga

Learn about the extraordinary Tennesseans who received the first Medals of Honor and all recipients since through immersive exhibits at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. The first Medal of Honor was presented to Private Jacob Parrott in 1863 for his part in “The Great Locomotive Chase” that ended outside of Chattanooga during the Civil War. In that same year, Chattanooga area servicemen were awarded 33 Medals of Honor from Chickamauga to Missionary Ridge and the Battle Above the Clouds on Lookout Mountain. Exhibits cover the Civil War, Space Exploration, World War II and the Vietnam War. Learn about the Tennessee recipients in the Hall of Valor and individual stories like Hacksaw Ridge, Mary Walker in the Second Presbyterian Church and hear many stories in the Vietnam Bunker exhibit.

Point Park at Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park - Chattanooga

Point Park’s 16 acres has beautiful overlooks of Chattanooga below, monuments and cannon positions that help interpret the Civil War Battle of Lookout Mountain as well as other battles for Chattanooga. The park is part of the Chattanooga unit of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. The castle-like structure you’ll see at the entrance is a replica of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers insignia. Learn about the fighting that took place on the slopes of the mountain and walk the trails to see artillery displays, wayside exhibits, tablets that detail troop location and more.

Tennessee Riverpark – The Wreath of Honor Fallen Five Memorial

See The Wreath of Honor Fallen Five Memorial at the Tennessee Riverpark. It was erected to honor the lives lost during a terror attack at the US Navy Operational Support Center, less than 1,000 feet where the memorial stands today, and at a local recruiting center in Chattanooga on July 16, 2015: Sergeant Carson Allen Louis Holmquist (USMC), Logistics Specialist Second Class Randall Scott Smith (NAVY), Staff Sergeant David Allen Wyatt (USMC), Lance Corporal Squire Kimpton Paul "Skip" Wells (USMC), and Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Joseph Sullivan (USMC). The wreath, made of interlacing, brass-colored stainless steel arc bands hovers above a circular stone plaza, equally suspended by five monumental limestone pillars each representing a different member of the Fallen Five. The pillars are engraved with the name and biological text of each person, giving you a glimpse into their lives.

There are many more military and veteran memorial museums to be experienced in Tennessee. Uncover even more history at historic places.