Veterans Flag Project to host Independence Day recognition
Submitted - July 2, 2010Mary Wolf and Phil Merry
Project Coordinators
The Veterans Flags Committee invites everyone to attend the second annual Independence Day Veterans Recognition ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 3 in Oakland Cemetery. Two hundred American flags will be proudly flying to honor and memorialize those who have served in our nation’s military forces over the years.
Special recognition will be given to those flags flying on the Avenue of Honor. Veterans killed in action include PFC. Carney Burnham, EM2 Charles Harris, 2nd Lt. George R Austin, PFC. William Lierly, SP4 Billy Jackson Dailey, Staff Sgt. Robert Duckworth, Lt. Marvin Udell Mead, and PFC. Fred Gene McCormick. Additionally, Sgt. Kenneth Eugene Waterfield and Master Sgt. Albert Durham were Prisoners of War.
The ceremony will be held in the open area immediately across Rollins Street from the big flag at Cater’s Funeral home. Parking will be available along the shoulders of Rollins Street and in the parking lot at Cater’s (unless they have a funeral service). Parking close to the tents will be available for vehicles carrying those needing special assistance. A number of tents will be set and quite a number of chairs will be available. The chairs will go to veterans and those needing assistance as the first priority. We strongly suggest others bring their own lawn chairs. Bottled water will be available.
The ceremony is planned to start promptly at 11 a.m. Art Latson ( M/Sgt U S Air Force, Retired) will be the Master of Ceremonies. Native Moberlyan Jeff Mikesell ( Colonel U S Air Force, Retired) will give the keynote address. The program will be about 45 minutes in length and includes several musical offerings.
This is a very special time to honor and memorialize those who have served so valiantly over so many years to protect and preserve the freedoms that we all enjoy. Without their service, both in times of peace and conflict, Independence Day might well be not even a faint memory. Please take an hour or so of your time to honor these special men and women on July 3.