Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will represent Tennessee as one of 56 new quarter-dollar coins honoring national sites. Beginning in 2010, the U.S. Mint will issue the quarters in accordance with the "America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008."

"This honor comes at the perfect time as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the park's dedication," said Bredesen in a press release. "An astounding 10 million visitors from all over the world enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains every year. Now millions more will get to share this significant piece of U.S. history whether they choose to spend it or add it to their coin collections."

Earlier this year, Bredesen submitted his preference of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to represent Tennessee. The coins will be issued from 2010 through 2022 in the order in which each site was first established as a national site. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park quarter will be released in 2014.

The Veterans Day National Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has designated Gatlinburg as an official Regional Site for the Observance of Veterans Day. This designation affiliates the Gatlinburg Veterans Day Celebration with National Veterans Day activities taking place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia.

The seventh annual Gatlinburg Veterans Day Celebration will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 on Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza. Activities will include a military aircraft flyover, patriotic music, recognition of veterans in attendance, remembrance of fallen comrades, and stirring words from notable veterans.