Crossville Parks Press Release:
Crossville Parks and Recreation is proud to announce, the 2025 Crossville Christmas Parade, Grand Marshall, Mark Pfaffenroth!
Mark Pfaffenroth grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As a teenager he moved to Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Christian Brothers College with a degree in history and political science and he holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Memphis.
In 1975 Mark joined the Memphis Police Department. There he served in the uniform, traffic and administrative divisions. In addition he was a hostage negotiator, academy instructor and police recruiter.
In June of 1985 while still serving on the police department Mark enlisted in the US Navy Reserves as an Intelligence Specialist. In August of 1987 he received his direct commission to ensign as an intelligence officer. He drilled with various Navy Reserve Intelligence units at Millington Naval Air Station (near Memphis, TN). Mark performed his annual two week duties throughout the US and Europe as a counter intelligence specialist.
Following the events of September 11, 2001, Mark, retired as a lieutenant from Memphis Police Department and volunteered for active duty. Over the next nine years he was assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland MD, NATO in Norfolk, VA, the US Central Command Tampa and was assigned to various other intelligence stations. His final duty station was in Jerusalem. In addition he served two tours in Iraq where he was awarded the Bronze Star (Meritorious). On December 7, 2010, Mark retired from the Navy as a Commander after 25 years of service.
Mark is married to the former Sarah Elizabeth Smith. They moved to Crossville in 2011. There he became involved in the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) chapter where he served as president. He also worked part time at the Cumberland County Veteran’s Service Office. In 2018 he was asked to revamp the Military Memorial Museum of Upper Cumberland and serve as its president, an office he still maintains today.
Mark is also involved in the upcoming Cumberland County Project 250 commission planning for the 250th anniversary of our great nation and is active in his church.
(End Press Release)
The 2025 Crossville Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 13th, beginning at 4:30 pm.
Mark Pfaffenroth’s last name is pronounced pof-in-roth.