Local American Legion post’s “formation of honor” honors fallen heroes for the 15th consecutive year

CELINA-American Legion Post 18’s 15-year tradition of honoring and remembering local fallen heroes with their “formation of honor” over the Memorial Day holiday soldiered on here in 2025.

The inspiring display has now offered locals and visitors alike an annual gathering place to honor and remember local fallen heroes for the better part of two decades.

With the help of other volunteers, Post 18 again placed crosses bearing the names, branches of service, and conflicts served of deceased Clay County veterans in formation at the historic Clay County Courthouse last Thursday, and the beacons paying homage to over 1,200 shining examples of selflessness stood tall throughout the weekend.

Gold stars adorning the crosses also designated local veterans killed in action, while American Legion stickers recognized late local Post 18 members.

The crosses were again purposely displayed in random order to encourage visitors to view and remember each an every veteran as they search for those featuring the names of their fallen family members, friends, and loved ones.

Over 1,240 names were displayed on 620 crosses on the square throughout the holiday weekend, honoring Clay County veterans who meet one of the following criteria:

• buried in Clay County,

• died in combat and was buried in a foreign country,

• buried in any state or national veterans cemetery;

• whose remains have been cremated, or

• is a veteran belonging to Post 18.

The origin of the effort is explained by a sign accompanying the display each year, which reads:

“In the fall of 2009, Clay County American Legion Post 18 requested names and locations of veterans buried in the county so a small American Flag could be placed on the grave for Veterans Day.

“With modest community response and many secluded cemeteries, the Post felt this was not the best recognition due those who served our country, since most of those flags would go unnoticed by the general public.

“Post 18 members then decided to ask the Clay County Genealogical Committee for permission to use their books, which documented more than 280 Clay County cemeteries.

“Clay County, Tennessee Cemeteries, Volumes I and II, listed over 750 grave sites with marked military service.  Post 18 took these veterans’ names and brought them together at the county seat for the tribute you see. Additional veterans’ names and their burial sites have been submitted by friends and family.

“Our goal is to eventually have the names of all veterans buried in our county added to this formation.  American Legion Post 18 wishes to thank all those who continue to make this display possible.”

Memorial Day was Monday, May 26.  The official federal holiday is set aside to remember those who died in active military service, and it is always observed annually on the last Monday in May.

For more information, to donate to support the annual event, or to add a deceased veteran to the “formation of honor” list, please contact any member of Post 18.  Also visit the Post 18 American Legion, Celina, Tennessee Facebook page.