Mayor Pitts proclaims 'Blue Star Welcome Week'

CLARKSVILLE, TN -- Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts has proclaimed Sept. 27 through Oct. 5, 2025, as "Blue Star Welcome Week" in the City.

The week's focus is on strengthening efforts to recognize, and support all active-duty and transitioning military families, and with Clarksville serving as the home of Fort Campbell, our community holds a major stake in the effort.

The proclamation has been presented to Karissa Poe, Executive Director of the Blue Star Families Tennessee Chapter, and Jessica Roseberry, Program Manager for the Tennessee Chapter. Also participating in the presentation was Bill Harpel, the City of Clarksville's Military Liaison, who additionally serves on the Blue Star Families Advisory Board.

Activities begin Saturday, Sept. 27, with Family Fun Day at Greater Missionary Baptist Church, 458 Ringgold Road. Blue Star families who attend will find informational booths, a Fall Pumpkin Patch, Teen Zone, Magic Show, Storytime, the 101st Airborne Division Band, and more. The event runs from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

The official proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS, Blue Star Families seeks to empower military families by connecting

them with their neighbors, individuals and organizations, to create vibrant communities of mutual support; and

WHEREAS, Blue Star Families annually designates the week beginning the last

Saturday in September and concluding eight days thereafter as

"Blue Star Welcome Week;" and

WHEREAS, during this week, we recognize the 600,000 active-duty and transitioning

military families who move to new communities each year; and

WHEREAS, only 39% of military family respondents to the 2024 Military Family

Lifestyle Survey reported that they feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian community; and

WHEREAS, a sense of belonging is essential to the well-being and readiness of

military families; and

WHEREAS, we commit to ensuring that military and veteran-connected families feel a

strong sense of belonging to their local civilian communities; and

WHEREAS, we express gratitude for the sacrifices made by service members

and their families; and

WHEREAS, we encourage civilians nationwide to welcome military and veteran

families into their communities.

Now, Therefore, I, Joe Pitts , Mayor of the City of Clarksville, do hereby proclaim September 27 through October 5, 2025 as Blue Star Welcome Week. I invite all citizens to celebrate with them their accomplishments.