Burchett receives Tennessee Adjutant General's Distinguished Patriot Medal

Meant to get this up a little earlier today. But a release from the county Mayor's Office:

This weekend, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett received the Adjutant General’s Distinguished Patriot Medal from Tennessee Adjutant General Max Haston.  

Burchett, left, with Gen. Haston

“It is an honor to receive this award as Mayor of Knox County and on behalf of the veterans in our community,” Mayor Burchett said. “But the truth is that all I’ve done is what I’ve been taught was the right thing to do. It is our men and women in uniform who have gone above and beyond by volunteering to serve in our Armed Forces.”

The medal is presented to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Tennessee National Guard or any civilian who “boldly distinguishes himself by a significant patriotic act or contribution to State or Nation which serves to promote patriotism and preservation of either State or National heritage,” according to the official description of the medal.

The medal citation, which recognizes Mayor Burchett “for the highest distinguished service during the period of 1 September 2010 through 13 February 2014,” specifically references the mayor’s continued support of the County’s Veteran Service office and its outreach efforts, as well as the County’s commitment to offer hiring preference to military veterans.

“He is an ardent supporter to the Tennessee National Guard and has spent countless hours as an ambassador for our military veterans,” the citation states.