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Area programs to honor veterans
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In commemoration of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, several local events are scheduled.

Covington
The annual Veterans Day Service hosted by Covington’s American Legion will begin at 11 a.m. Monday on the downtown square.

Don Floyd, commander of American Legion Post 32, said the service will feature Marine Corps Junior ROTC members posting the colors, keynote speaker the Rev. Len Strozier, former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Covington, and the singing of the National Anthem by Jennifer Morganthall, youth director of First United Methodist Church in Covington.

Floyd said after the keynote address, a wreath will be laid at the downtown monument in honor of all veterans.

Also in Covington, the American Legion Auxiliary — comprised of wives and daughters of war veterans — will hand out paper poppies from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Kroger on U.S. Highway 278 and the Walmart on Industrial Boulevard.

The poppies are handed out in remembrance of fallen veterans. Marcia Floyd, chairwoman of the poppy fundraiser, said the poppies are free to all, but the group will accept donations to help area veterans and youths.

Rockdale
In Rockdale County, a Veterans Day ceremony and program will be held Nov. 11 at the Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial at Black Shoals Park, 3001 Black Shoals Road.

This year’s tribute will honor veterans, the military and families of military personnel. There will be displays of military equipment, vehicles and soldiers starting at 5 p.m., and the Belmont Baptist Choir will give a patriotic concert shortly thereafter.

The Veteran’s Day Program starts at 6 p.m. with a keynote speaker, bagpiper, Missing Man Table Ceremony and Candlelight Ceremony. In the event of rain and/or extreme cold, the event will be held at 1400 Parker Road.
For more information, go to www.walkofheroes.org or call 770-786-2302.

American Legion Post 77 will also hold a ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the post, 674 Legion Road. After the Legion’s ceremony, the Last Man Standing group of World War II veterans will meet.

The Last Man’s group organized in 2002 with a pact that the “last man standing” would break open a bottle of cognac enclosed in a case at Post 77. For more information about that service, contact Chairman Bobby Davis at 770-388-9798.

Also in Conyers, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5290 will host a Veterans Day Symposium from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 9 at the post, 1449 VFW Drive.

The cost to attend is $5 per adult and $10 per family. Hot dogs, sodas and homemade cake slices will be available for $1 each, with proceeds to benefit the Wounded Warrior Program and VFW building repairs.

Panel speakers will include World War II veteran Jack Simpson, Herb Smith, Gen. Rich McPhee, Newborn Mayor Roger Sheridan, Vietnam veteran and Walk of Heroes Chairman Tommy Clack, World War II veteran Bud Sosebee, Peter Elizabeth Wolf, Mike Morris and Pete Mecca.

Covington News and Rockdale News Publisher T. Pat Cavanaugh will be the program’s moderator. The program is sponsored by the newspapers.

Social Circle
An annual Veteran’s Day program in Social Circle will be held Friday, Nov. 8. Martha Strickland, an ambassador at the Social Circle Welcome Center, said there are actually two programs.

The first will be held at 9 a.m. at Social Circle Elementary School, 240 West Hightower Trail ; the second will be at 1:30 p.m. in the Social Circle Middle/High School activities center, 154 Alcova Drive.

Strickland said at both programs, veterans will be recognized, Brigadier Gen. E. Jackson Jr. will speak, the Social Circle High School Band and Jr. ROTC program will perform, student artwork will be displayed, and there will be student recognition.

According to information from Social Circle City Schools, this year’s theme is “Wounded Warriors.” Students have been busy researching the topic and are participating in a service project, a Penny Parade, with proceeds to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

“Anyone from the community can attend,” Strickland said. “It’s a fantastic program. They recognize a lot of the different veterans.”