National Day of Prayer observed at Tazewell Park

Published 12:08 pm Tuesday, May 6, 2025

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The Campbell County Honor Guard displays the colors as Terry Keck and Scott Payne lead everyone in singing “God Bless America” during the National Day of Prayer observance at the Tazewell Municipal Park. (Photos by Jay Compton)

Event organizer Nick Pezzente speaks during Thursday’s National Day of Prayer observance in Tazewell.

Terry Keck and Scott Payne perform the National Anthem at the start of Thursday’s National Day of Prayer observance at Tazewell Municipal Park.

O.D. Commander Jerry Hurst, from the Campbell County Honor Guard, gave the Call to Arms for the honor guard and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jail Administrator Tim Shrout from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department read President Trump’s proclamation declaring May 1, 2025 as the National Day of Prayer.

Lt. Caleb Miracle from the Tazewell/New Tazewell Fire Department read Gov. Bill Lee’s proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer across the state of Tennessee.

Tazewell Mayor Bill Fannon read his proclamation in honor of the National Day of Prayer in the city of Tazewell.

Claiborne County Mayor Joe Brooks read his proclamation in honor of the National Day of Prayer for the entire county.

New Tazewell Mayor Stan Leonard gave a prayer for first responders including the Fire, Police and EMS.

Pastor James Redmond, from Chadwell Station Baptist Church, gave a prayer for the church.

Pastor Justin Gilbert, from Clouds Memorial Baptist Church, gave a prayer for local, state and national government.

Pastor Kenneth Clark, from Youngs Chapel Baptist Church, gave a prayer for education.

Aaron Ellis, the owner of Preacher Kutz, gave a prayer for businesses and the workplace.

Carla Brewer, Assistant District Attorney for Claiborne County, gave a prayer for families and communities.

Pastor Todd Peoples, from Twin City Baptist Church, gave a prayer for government officials.

Gary Hansard, Claiborne County’s Veterans Service Officer, gave a prayer for the military, service men and women, veterans and MIA/POWs.

Organizer Nick Pezzente led all of Thursday’s speakers in a prayer before the start of Tazewell’s National Day of Prayer observance.

The Tazewell/New Tazewell Fire Department had their large American flag on display at Tazewell Municipal Park for Thursday’s National Day of Prayer.

Members of the Campbell County Honor Guard, from left: Army Sgt. Dan Manning (U.S. flag), Army Sgt. Warren Kitts (Army flag) and Marine Cpl. Steven Goins (Marine Corps flag).

Army Sgt. Warren Kitts with the U.S.Army flag.

Navy Chief Petty Officer LeRoy Morgan with the U.S. Navy flag.

Marine Cpl. Steven Goins with the Marine Corps flag.

Army Specialist 4th Class Stanley Parker with the Coast Guard flag.

Navy Chief Petty Officer LeRoy Morgan with the Navy flag.

Army Staff Sgt. Joe Hatmaker with the MIA/POW flag.

Terry Keck and Scott Payne led everyone in singing “God Bless America.”

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The National Day of Prayer was observed in Claiborne County on Thursday, May 1, with a special community service held at the Tazewell Municipal Park.

This was the 74th annual National Day of Prayer and the day was marked in Washington, D.C. by a proclamation by President Donald Trump and all over the country with over 1700 events organized by local volunteers.

The Tazewell event was organized by Nick Pezzente. He welcomed everyone to the service and shared a brief history of the National Day of Prayer.

President Harry S. Truman first proclaimed a National Day of Prayer to be observed on July 4, 1952, as a day set aside for Americans to give thanks, in accordance with their own faith, for our freedoms and blessings. President Ronald Reagan moved the observance to the first Thursday in May in 1988.

This year’s theme is “Pour out to the God of hope and be filled.” It’s based on the Bible verse Romans 15:13: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The Campbell County Honor Guard, led by Officer of the Day Jerry Hurst, presented the American flag as well as the flags for each branch of the armed forces and one for MIA/POWs. Hurst led the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem was performed by Terry Keck and Scott Payne.

The Honor Guard included Army Sgt. Dan Manning (U.S. flag), Air Force Sr. Airman Ernie Cornett (Air Force Flag), Navy Chief Petty Officer LeRoy Morgan (Navy flag), Army Sgt. Warren Kitts (Army flag), Marine Cpl. Steven Goins (Marine Corps flag), Army Specialist 4th Class Stanley Parker (Coast Guard flag), Army Staff Sgt. Joe Hatmaker (MIA/POW flag).

Pezzente then introduced each of the guest speakers.

Jail Administrator Tim Shrout from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department read President Trump’s proclamation declaring May 1, 2025 as the National Day of Prayer.

Lt. Caleb Miracle from the Tazewell/New Tazewell Fire Department read Gov. Bill Lee’s proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer across the state of Tennessee.

Tazewell Mayor Bill Fannon read his proclamation in honor of the National Day of Prayer in the city of Tazewell and Claiborne County Mayor Joe Brooks read a similar proclamation for the entire county.

From there, Pazzente introduced several local pastors and community leaders to offer prayers for various aspects of the community.