Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1500050
Page 4 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, May 25-May 31, 2023 There will be a ceremony at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain at 10am and at the Roger McGuire Green (Pack Square) in Asheville at 2pm. Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin will be the keynote speaker at both events. Gaskin is the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Ms. Stephanie Young, Western North Carolina VA Health Care System Executive Director, will also deliver remarks. The ceremonies will also include a reading from the Brothers and Sisters Like These Veteran Writing Group, Air Force Vietnam Veteran Jim Hernandez (1968-1969, Pilot), and a 13 Folds-Flag Folding Ceremony presented by Army Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Spider Trantham. WNC residents have opportunities to observe Memorial Day May 29 Article Provided By: Jean Gordon Lake Lure The Lake Lure Memorial Day Program begins at 9am in recognition of mothers, fathers, siblings, and children who may have lost a loved one in the United States military. Mayor Carol Pritchell will welcome the crowd and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Honor Guard will present colors. Johanna Khalafalla, a graduate of Lake Lure Classical Academy, will sing the National Anthem followed by a prayer by Alex Heafner, pastor of Chimney Rock Baptist Church. Nixon Vivola, Lake Lure Classical Academy will present a patriotic reading. The special guest speaker for the morning is Col. Ernest Beall, retired United States Marine. Terrell Lewis, US Army Veteran will lay a memorial wreath and Heafner will lead a benediction. Ken Potter will play the bagpipes for the benediction. Special Music will be presented by Katherine Cox of Fairfi eld Mountains Chapel. The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony that will include music and fellowship to show the families how much their loved ones mean to the community, county, state and nation. The program will be held at the Lake Lure Veterans Memorial directly across from the Lake Lure Beach, between the Lake Lure Inn and the Arcade. Following the service, the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa will serve a complimentary breakfast for those attending. Forest City In downtown Forest City the Memorial Day Ceremony, "Remember & Honor" will begin at 11am at the fountain. Military personnel from all branches of service will participate in the ceremony with Sgt. Major Don Barrett emceeing the ceremony. The event is sponsored by the Town of Forest City, the American Legion Willis Towery Post #74, American Legion Ray Robertson Post #423, Disabled American Veterans Chapter #25 and the Marine Corps League CPL Chris S. Ebert Detachment #1221. A memorial wreath will be placed at the memorial monument during the ceremony. Article Provided By: Jean Gordon Ernest Beall Memorial Day ceremonies planned Monday, May 29 in Lake Lure and in Forest City Memorial Day is the day when Americans remember and honor military personnel who lost their lives while serving their country. Though its unoffi cial designation as the start of summer makes Memorial Day weekend a time of celebration for many people, the families of fallen and active service members often fi nd Memorial Day weekend has its fair share of heartache as well. Families of fallen service members who lost their lives defending their country tend to fi nd solace in ceremonies honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifi ce. But there are other ways civilian men and women can honor both active and fallen service members in their communites. Participate in community events that honor fallen service members. Many communities host Memorial Day parades to honor fallen soldiers. It can be comforting to the families of fallen soldiers to see fellow members of their community attend the parade and public memorials. Such civilian support lets family members of fallen soldiers know that fellow members of their community appreciate and do no forget the sacrifi ces made by their loved ones. Include families of fallen and active service members in your weekend activities. Memorial Day weekend is a three- day weekend at the end of May, when the weather is warming up in much of the country. The weekend marks the return of backyard barbecues or pool parties, and such events are a great opportunity for civilians to invite the families of fallen service members over to share some fun in the sun. Memorial Day can be an especially diffi cult time for the loved ones of fallen service members, and even the few hours of relief that a barbecue, pool party or picnic can provide can make a welcome respite from an otherwise diffi cult weekend. Make a charitable donation. Numerous charities exist to support soldiers and their families. Such charities exist to support the families of fallen soldiers, injured soldiers or even those families struggling while a family member is on active deployment. Men and women who want to help can do so by making a charitable donation. And such donations do not have to be fi nancial. The Hero Miles SM program, for example, allows men and women to donate their frequent fl yer miles to wounded, injured or ill service members or their families. This allows service members who meet certain criteria to be given a round- trip airline ticket from a medical center to their home or to attend an authorized event. In addition, service members can give a round-trip ticket to enable family members or close friends to visit them while they are receiving medical treatment. Since its inception, the program, which is administered by the nonprofi t Fisher House Foundation, has provided more than 36,000 airline tickets worth more than $55 million. To learn more, visit www. fi sherhouse.org. Numerous other charities exist to help service members and their families in a variety of ways. Organize events in your community. Every community benefi ts from the efforts of active service members and the efforts of those service members who gave their lives in service of their country. Men and women who want to express their gratitude for such service can organize events to do just that. Speak to local merchants and encourage them to offer discounts to military members and their families throughout Memorial Day weekend. Or organize an ice cream social for the children of active or fallen service members. Such events can be uplifting for the families of service members while raising community awareness of the important role our soldiers play. Help Families of Fallen & Active Service Members this Memorial Day Don Barrett