Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen marked Memorial Day with a somber outdoor service today that included a three-round volley and the playing of Taps.

SOUND: Three-round volley.

It was the eighth and last Memorial Day service for the outgoing Governor Bredesen. He said growing familiar with the service and sacrifice of the National Guard has been a quote “eye-opener.”

“We have so many people in our state who are – they’re there, they’re willing to sacrifice, they really give meaning to the name ‘Volunteers,’ and it’s been a great honor for me to serve as both commander-in-chief of the National Guard and to be able to celebrate the sacrifices of all of our military men and women over these years.”

Twenty of Tennessee’s service-members gave up their lives this past year, including for the first time a female from the National Guard.
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