The Murfreesboro Post, May 26, 2011
Stones River National Battlefield and Cemetery will hold a series of events to commemorate Memorial Day in 2011.
On Saturday May 28 at 10 a.m., local scouting groups are invited to assist in placing flags on more than 7,000 headstones in the Stones River National Cemetery. Parking will be in the visitor center parking lot, and participants are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 a.m.
Recent changes to the visitor center parking lot have greatly reduced the number of overflow parking spaces available near the visitor center. Participants may have to walk up to a half mile to reach the cemetery. We encourage all participants to carpool. Refreshments will be served after the flag placement.
Boy Scout unit leaders must register to receive a patch with the Middle Tennessee Council by going to mtcbsa.org/NewsUpcomingEvents.html and clicking on the 2011 Memorial Flag Placement link to complete the registration form. Girl Scout unit leaders should contact Park Ranger Jim Lewis at 615-893-9501 or [email protected] to register their units.
The annual Memorial Day program will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday May 29 at the rostrum in the Stones River National Cemetery. The maintenance parking area will be reserved for visitors with disabilities. All other parking will be in the visitor center parking lot. The program will include patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony and the reading of the names of veterans who have passed away since last Memorial Day. Refreshments will be served after the program near the maintenance area.
On Tuesday May 31 at 1 p.m., local scouting groups and other volunteers are invited back to the national cemetery to assist in removing the flags placed the week before. Parking will be in the maintenance area. All groups should register for this event by contacting Park Ranger Jim Lewis at 615-893-9501 or [email protected].
Stones River National Battlefield is located at 3501 Old Nashville Highway, northwest of Murfreesboro. Additional information is available at the visitor center, by calling 615-893-9501 or at www.nps.gov/stri.