Williamson County Marks Memorial Day with Numerous Ceremonies

Williamson County veterans and community groups marked Memorial Day 2025 with multiple remembrances and ceremonies, recognizing veterans and fallen service members from the American Revolution to contemporary American conflicts.

On Saturday afternoon, more than 100 people gathered at the small Williams Family Cemetery tucked between two large homes on Saddlewood Lane in Brentwood, on the Davidson County side, for a grave marking ceremony honoring American Revolutionary War soldier Nimrod Williams (1751-1820).

The event was organized by the Lt. Andrew Crockett Sons of the American Revolution and Andrew Jackson SAR chapter and included local members of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as 31 descendants of Nimrod Williams.

The new granite marker sits at the base of the stone-walled cemetery with about 20 headstones, with a small American flag freshly planted in the ground by 6-year-old Nicholas Neel, of Oak Hill, Nimrod Williams’ 6th great-grandson.

“The marker serves as a reminder for years to come for future generations that this is a Revolutionary War patriot,” Lt. Andrew Crockett SAR Vice President and Grave Marking Chairman Clark Rose told the Williamson Scene.

The marker and event also held significance as one of the late members of the Lt. Andrew Crockett SAR, Bob Pierce, a fourth great-grandson of Nimrod Williams, was researching his family’s history in preparation for the event when he died in January. Pierce had recently applied for membership in November 2024, and his membership was approved posthumously in February.

“Bob would be thrilled,” Rose said. “The day we met to talk about the grave ceremony, we had a meeting at Chick-Fil-A in Brentwood and then we came over here and he gave me a tour of the cemetery. He showed me all of his ancestors, and it was a wonderful experience to get to hear about these people from someone who was related to them. He wanted this so much. … It was just so special getting to tour the cemetery with Bob, it’s a memory that I’ll keep forever.”

Pierce’s brother, Dr. John Pierce, a U.S. Army veteran, served as the event’s keynote speaker, who spoke about the life and service of Nimrod Wiliams, and also acknowledged how “thrilled” his brother would have been to see the ceremony.

On Monday, Hundreds gathered at the Williamson County Archives and Museum in Franklin for its annual Memorial Day service, where Williamson County Veterans Court Mentor Erinn Watkins, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, spoke about her experience serving as a Casualty Assistance Officer.

In that role, Watkins oversaw the transport of the remains of a fallen soldier, who was killed in the Korean War, which were repatriated to Arlington National Cemetery. She also assisted the soldier’s family through the burial process. In a second experience, she oversaw the burial of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.

Now her mission is to help service members at home.

“Now I say to you, any one of you who are going through life struggles, especially my veterans, you did what your country asked of you, and no matter what happens going forward, you have an obligation to honor their service – you do that by living well,” Watkins said.

“So take care of yourself. It may not be easy, but you can do this if you have to start small, get up, get dressed, and like [U.S. Navy Admiral Bill] McRaven said, make your bed. If you feel stuck, you're not stuck, you just haven't figured it out yet. This Memorial Day, let us all reflect on the meaning of a warrior's sacrifice for others, service before self, and the cost of personal sacrifice for the good of all Americans. Do this for the fallen soldiers and the soldiers' families.”

Several gold star families in attendance at the ceremony were also recognized.

On May 12, the City of Brentwood held its own Memorial Day ceremony featuring keynote speaker, retired U.S. Army Captain Jerry W. Lankford III, who spoke about his experience serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and his fallen brothers, including Army Spc. Rel A. Ravago IV, who was killed in combat in Iraq in 2003, as well as Army Capt. Ralph J. Harting III and Capt. Stephen W. Frank, who died in combat together in 2005 in Iraq.

“They were average citizens of our great nation. They heard and answered the cries which call for heroic virtues,” Lankford said. “We have the opportunity daily to honor their sacrifice and the sacrifice of all service members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, by doing our duty in the ordinary, everyday affairs of life to ensure that our nation and this community continue to succeed.”

The same day, Franklin-based Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1140 awarded cash prizes to three local students who took part in an essay contest where they wrote about Vietnam Veterans.