Communities across East Tennessee honored their local heroes this Veterans Day.
Blount County said "thank you" to the more than 100 veterans who attended their ceremony. This year marked the 49th Annual United Veterans of Blount County program. Organizers said the program grows each year.
The ceremony was held at Rio Revolution Church in Maryville. Blount County gave a special thank you to Vietnam Veterans this year.
"When I got home from Vietnam it was not very pretty. We we're called a whole bunch of things," Donald Davis, a Vietnam veteran, said. “They didn't understand what we were fighting for. We were fighting for them."
Veterans at the event said that now is very different from the past. They are finally getting the respect they deserve.
"It helps, it helps a little bit," Sam Russell, a Vietnam veteran, said.
Each year, Veterans Day serves as an opportunity for the veterans to remember the soldiers who didn't make it home.
"I want to honor all of us and the guys I served with over in 'Nam that didn't make it back… God bless them all," David said.
As they carry their own scars, some more visible than others, they said they are grateful for a community that appreciates their service.