Community News

One of Tennessee’s newest license plates gives relatives of members of the U.S. Armed Forces a way to display their support for the troops.

The plates, issued under a new law sponsored by state Sen. Ken Yager, R-Harriman, are now available to residents whose spouse, parent, sibling or child is serving in the armed forces of the United States at the time of application.

"Today, we live in a free country because of the sacrifices of our nation’s servicemen and women and their families,” Yager said.

U.S. Army Pvt. Steven R. Murphy has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Son of  Sherry Tipton of Harriman, he was a 2002 graduate of Oakdale High School.

During the nine weeks of training, Murphy studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values and physical fitness.

U.S. Air Force Airman Andrew W. Beatty recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

Son of Timothy Beatty of Kingston, the airman is a 2010 graduate of Roane County High School.

He completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

U.S. Army Pvt. Ryan E. Jones recently graduated from the Fire Support Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

Son of Ronald E. Jones Jr. of Harriman and Lisa K. Goodman of Devonia, he is a 2008 graduate of Oliver Springs High School.

Field artillery specialists serve in intelligence activities including target processing, cannon battalions, division artillery, artillery and maneuver brigade and headquarters and fire support elements.