KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — They do not call it the Volunteer State for nothing. “For generations, freedom has been defended and secured by the PATRIOTS of Tennessee,” the Department of War posted Saturday night with a new video from Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to the University of Tennessee. “The Volunteer State has always answered the call.”
In the video, Hegseth speaks to the young Tennesseans he swore into the armed forces. “I couldn’t be more proud to be here with you, to have a chance on behalf of the President of the United States to look you in the eye, thank you and tell you we’re going to do everything we can every single day to have your back,” he said.
“I hear there’s a football game today,” the Secretary said on the day Tennessee hosted Alabama at Neyland Stadium. “However, that pales, pales in comparison to what you’re doing today.” Then he thanked them for all of America: “On behalf of my wife, on behalf of my kids, on behalf of my family, on behalf of the President, today we celebrate you, we recognize you and we thank you for answering the call.” Hegseth administered the Oath of Enlistment to 95 recruits on Saturday. “For generations, the Volunteer State has raised its right hand and said, ‘SEND ME,’” he posted.
Tennesseans are answering the call at the ballot box, too. According to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s daily turnout report, 91,149 voters turned out on the first day of early voting, Oct. 14, followed by 85,320 on Oct. 15 and 87,825 on Oct. 16, for 264,294 in the first three days.
Early voting continues through Thursday, Oct. 29, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Bring a current or expired photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government, and find your early voting site and sample ballot on the GoVoteTN app. Watch Secretary Hegseth in the Department of War video above.
