The Brundidge Business Association will kick off its annual Independence Day Weekend celebration with a “Salute to Veterans” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Knox Ryals Pavilion on the lawn of the historic Brundidge City Hall.

Randy Ross, Pike County Veterans Affairs officer, said the event is held annually to honor the men and women who have served their country with pride and distinction over the many years.

“This is a salute to all veterans and to all of those who continue to serve,” Ross said. “We owe our veterans a great debt of gratitude. The ‘Salute to Veterans’ is a small token of our extended community’s appreciation. We hope that everyone will take a few minutes to come out Friday night and thank our veterans for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.”

Ross said the program will begin with patriotic music by Lenny Trawick and Amanda Trawick.

Col. Ret. William “Billy” Jackson, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, will be the featured speaker for the celebratory event.

“We are honored to have Col. Jackson as our guest speaker,” Ross said. “He is a member of the Greatest Generation and we appreciate his service. He knows, first hand, the price that has been paid to preserve the freedoms we have today and the price that has been paid to continue to keep America free. He honors us with his presence.”

The “Salute to Veterans” will conclude with lighting of candles in memory or in honor of those who have served.

“Each person who lights a candle will have the opportunity to call the name of the veteran they are remembering,” Ross said. “The candlelight service is a meaningful way to close the ‘Salute to Veterans’ and to prepare us to honor America during the Fourth of July celebrations.

The BBA’s annual Independence Day Parade will be at 9 a.m. Saturday in downtown Brundidge. It will follow a Main Street route from north to south. Everyone is invited to come celebrate America in small town America.