(NAPSI)—Nestled between the Tennessee River and the Great Smoky Mountains in Eastern Tennessee is charming Loudon County—an underrated travel destination and a very special place to visit in Tennessee. Loudon has been called the ultimate affordable mountain lake vacation with everything from local shopping and family-friendly activities to breathtaking views and outdoor adventures.

Tennessee Grown

Agritourism is an ongoing trend and one of Loudon’s biggest charms, with a number of farms in the area producing Tennessee-made goods and products. Sweetwater Valley Farm, a beautiful family dairy farm, produces award-winning farmstead cheeses, offering samples as well as full farm tours to see how everything is made. The Seed to Sandwich Café is a must-visit, serving up grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes made from Sweetwater’s own products. Windy Hill Farm & Preserve is a peaceful, all-inclusive getaway on 650-acres. The on-site restaurant’s ingredients are harvested on the property, and the resort offers a range of rustic outdoor activities, from beekeeping to wine hikes. Loudon also has seasonal farm activities throughout the fall, including Maple Lane Farms Legendary Corn Maze, the pumpkin patch and petting zoo at Deep Well Farm and Dead Man’s Farm’s famous haunted house.  Continue reading →

Lithographs of the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in Draguignan, France. (Photo by Warrick Page/ABMC)

Then

One hundred years ago, America was undertaking a solemn national responsibility unlike any it had previously faced. World War I had just ended, taking the lives of more than 100,000 Americans, and the logistics and cost to bring their remains home were overwhelming for the nation. At the same time, America refused to back down on the promise to give the fallen a respectful place of rest.

The War Department decided to send letters to 74,770 next-of-kin, asking if they would like their loved ones to be brought home or if they would agree to have them laid to rest permanently near the battlefields of Europe. More than 30,000 families elected to have their fallen service members forever honored on the continent they helped saved. This began a tradition that continued after World War II. Continue reading →