2024 Crossville Christmas Parade Grand Marshall is Colonel Trey Meadows

Crossville Parks and Recreation has announced the 2024 Crossville Christmas Parade Grand Marshall is highly decorated Marine, Colonel Trey Meadows. He is married to the former Tracy McNeal of Crossville. They have two daughters, Sydney and Mckenzie.

The City of Crossville Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 14 at 4:30pm. Due to construction in downtown, the parade this year will start at the Cumberland County High School, proceed down Stanley Street to West Avenue. The route will turn left onto West Avenue and make a left on 10th Street to Miller Avenue. From there the parade will turn left onto Miller Avenue and return to CCHS.

There is no fee to enter the parade and you can pick up applications at the Parks & Rec Department at Centennial Park, Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. Applications can also be requested by email to ccpark@crossvilletn.gov but must be returned in person. This year’s theme is “Christmas Under Construction.” (Photo Colonel Trey Meadows, courtesy Crossville Parks Facebook)

(The following is from Crossville Parks Facebook)

Crossville Parks and Recreation is proud to announce, the 2024 Crossville Christmas Parade, Grand Marshall, Trey Meadows!

Colonel Trey Meadows reported to MCRD Parris Island, SC for Recruit Training in June 1986. Upon completion of his training, he reported to D Co. 4th Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB) in Knoxville, TN for service as a reserve combat engineer. During his time in the reserves he attended Tennessee Tech University. In November 1990, Sgt Meadows was activated and participated in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, where he served as a Squad Leader for D Co, 2nd CEB. At the completion of this tour he returned to TTU and received his BS in Business Management and was commissioned a 2ndLt in December 1991.

Upon completion of The Basic School (TBS), he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training. In 1994 he received his wings, was designated a Naval Aviator, became a CH-53E pilot, and reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 (HMH-464).

During his tour at HMH-464 he completed two Landing Force Sixth Fleet (LF6F) deployments with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162) in support of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The squadron supported operations in the Adriatic Sea and conducted the noncombatant evacuation (NEO) of the American Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia. During this tour he served in various operations and maintenance billets. In January 1999, he was transferred to Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 302 (HMT-302) to serve as a CH-53E instructor pilot. While at HMT-302 he served in various billets in the Maintenance Department including: Airframes Division Officer, Flight Line Officer, Maintenance Officer.

In June 2002, he reported to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) where he served in various billets in the Operations Department. He also served as a Marine One Aircraft Commander, responsible for the worldwide safe helicopter transportation of the President of the United States.

In July 2006, he reported to HMH-464 to serve as the Executive Officer. In August 2007, he was assigned as the Officer-in-Charge of HMH-464’s Detachment Bravo to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). Post deployment he reported to HMT-302 as the Executive Officer. In February 2009, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group-40 (MAG-40) to serve as the 2D Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) Aviation Combat Element Operations Officer for combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. In May 2010, he assumed command of HMH-366. At the completion of his command tour he reported to MAG-29 as the Executive Officer.

In July 2012, he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Programs and Resources (P&R) and served as an Aviation Analyst for Programs Assessment & Evaluation (PA&E). In January 2015, he was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). He was promoted to Colonel in January 2016.

In July 2018, he reported to Marine Forces Reserve where he served as the Chief of Staff, Force Headquarters Group until February 2019, when he assumed the duties as the Chief of Staff, 4th Marine Division. In July 2020, he assumed the duties as the Chief of Staff, Marine Forces Reserve until his retirement in June 2021.

Col Meadows’ personal decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 gold stars, Air Medal w/V and bronze numeral 3, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/gold star, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/gold star, Combat Action Ribbon, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, and numerous unit and campaign awards.

He is married to the former Tracy McNeal of Crossville, TN. They have two daughters, Sydney and Mckenzie.