Veterans Day services held at four locations
Published 3:00 am Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Pike Countians will have four opportunities to honor America’s veterans on Wednesday, Veterans Day 2015.
Bob McLendon, commander of American Legion Post 70 in Troy, said his hope is that every man, woman and child in Pike County will take advantage of one the opportunities to honor the men and women who have served America during times of war and times of peace and those who are serving today.
“Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans and is not to be confused with Memorial Day that is a day for remembering the men and women who gave their lives while in service,” McLendon said.
Veterans of all wars are invited to breakfast Wednesday morning at the Colley Senior Complex on Elm Street in Troy. Registration will begin at 7:30 and breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. in the downstairs dining area.
Catherine Jordan, senior center director, said all veterans and their spouses are invited.
“The breakfast is a time for us to recognize and honor our veterans for their service and also a time for them to enjoy the fellowship of one another,” Jordan said. “Robert ‘K.T.’ Cole, Jr., a retired Marine, will be our guest speaker.”
The colors will be presented by the Charles Henderson High School JROTC. Shelia Jackson will sing the National Anthem and special music will be presented by Richard Girdner.
“We will also have a special presentation to our veterans by RSVP Director Tammy McGee,” Jordan said. “This is our 15th Annual Veterans Breakfast and we hope all veterans will make plans to attend so we can honor them and thank them for their
service.”
At 9 a.m., the City of Brundidge will dedicate a new veterans’ memorial site in the city with the installation of a monument, which was designed by Pike County veteran Rogers Powell. The memorial site is on Veterans Blvd. near the OCAP facility.
Freddie Turner, quartermaster, VFW Post 7055 of Brundidge, said the program will include the placing of a memorial wreath and prayer for peace around the world.
Two services will be held at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, at Bicentennial Park in Troy and Elam Cemetery in Elamville.
The Veterans Day program at Bicentennial Park will be sponsored by American Legion Post 70 in Troy.
Mark Sullivan, a former Marine with the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, will be the guest speaker. Special patriotic music will be by the Pike County Chorus.
“Following the program, everyone will be invited to lunch at the post home in downtown Troy,” said Bob McLendon, post commander.
The Veterans’ Day program at Elamville will be held at Elam Cemetery, where more than 60 veterans are buried. The veterans’ markers date back to the War Between the States. Becky Gerritson, a Tea Party movement leader, will be the guest speaker. A covered dish luncheon will follow the program at Elam Baptist Church.