Retired Sergeant Major Honored for Military Service
Richard Harris received a monthly military appreciation award for his decades of service and community commitment.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Awards
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Harris has been named the September Military Appreciation honoree by FOX 17 and Bart Durham Injury Law. The veteran was recognized for his 30 years of active duty and continued service to his community.
Why it matters
This award highlights the long-term contributions of veterans who transition from a career in the armed forces to active roles within their civilian communities. It serves to honor those with significant combat experience and lengthy federal service records.
Harris served 30 years on active duty, 15 years in federal service, and earned two Bronze Stars. He received a $1,000 cash award as the September honoree.
The players
Richard Harris
He is a retired Command Sgt. Maj. who completed 30 years of active duty and 15 years of federal service.
FOX 17
This is a Nashville-based television station that partners with local entities to recognize community members.
Bart Durham Injury Law
This is a legal firm that collaborates on local community appreciation initiatives in Tennessee.
The details
Richard Harris, a resident of Clarksville, served during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He intends to contribute the $1,000 award to his daughter's college fund.
Timeline
Richard Harris was named Military Appreciation honoree in September 2026.
Culture Shift
This recognition reflects a broader societal effort to bridge the gap between civilian life and military service through corporate-backed appreciation programs. It follows a pattern set by the Veterans Day military appreciation award programs by acknowledging individual military contributions.
The award provides the honoree with a $1,000 financial contribution that will be directed toward his daughter's education. Residents of the Nashville area can participate in similar recognition programs by nominating local veterans through the sponsoring organizations.
The takeaway
Recognizing veterans for their decades of service helps maintain community connections after their active military careers end. Families may find that local award programs provide meaningful, albeit modest, financial support for personal milestones like college tuition.
Further reading
For more stories on local recognition and community honors, visit the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WZTV.
