CLINTON Tenn. (WATE) — People gathered in Clinton Sunday morning to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Navy.

The Smoky Mountain Anchor Division held the event at the Service and Sacrifice Memorial in Aspire. The division is part of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, the Navy's youth leadership program. At the ceremony, young sea cadets placed a wreath at the Navy plaque on the monument before running in the Navy Mile challenge.

Todd Johnson, operations officer for the Smoky Mountain Anchor Division, said that the ceremony honors everyone in the East Tennessee area who has served.

"It's a humble honor; it really is," Johnson said. "The Navy's the best. Everybody needs heroes." • (WATE) • (WATE) • (WATE) • (WATE)

He emphasized the importance of the Sea Cadets, saying

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