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 be at 11 a.m. Monday on the downtown square.
Don Floyd, commander of American Legion Post 32, said the service will feature Marines Corps Junior ROTC members posting the colors, keynote speaker the Rev. Len Strozier, formerly 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.
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.
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 Veterans 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.
For more information about that service, contact Chairman Bobby Davis at 770-388-9798.
School observances:
Cousins Middle School
Cousins Middle School will honor veterans Nov. 11, beginning at 9:15 a.m., when opening remarks will be followed by a moment of silence, the playing of “Taps” and a performance of other patriotic music by the Cousins Band and Chorus.
As a continuous, unbroken tribute to servicemen and women, the names of current and past service personnel who are linked to members of the Cousins faculty, staff and students will be read aloud until 4 p.m.
In the school foyer, a wall display will list the names of soldiers currently serving or who have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Cousins Veterans Day ceremony is sponsored by the Cousins Middle School Beta Club, Band and Chorus. The community is invited.
Middle Ridge Elementary
Navy veteran Bill Jarrell will speak to second-graders at Middle Ridge at 8 a.m. Nov. 11. This is Jarrell’s fifth Veterans Day presentation at Middle Ridge.
Each year, the retired naval officer shares how he was recruited and describes his tours of service. He brings with him his uniforms, a scrapbook and his numerous medals to show to students, and he explains their significance.
Clements Middle School
Navy and National Guard veteran 1st Sgt. Lynn Goodrich, Ret., will speak to sixth-grade social studies students at Clements Middle School beginning at 10 a.m., Nov. 11.
Goodrich’s 33-year military career included deployments in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Mansfield Elementary
Mansfield Elementary’s annual Veterans Day program will include a breakfast with veterans at 7:30 a.m., followed by a patriotic program at 8 a.m. Then, students will walk to nearby Carmel Cemetery to put flags on the graves of all veterans.
Alcovy High School
The Alcovy Tiger Chorus will present its Veterans Day concert, “A Salute to America,’’ at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 in the AHS Auditorium. A small reception will follow.
All military veterans in attendance will receive a small token of appreciation.
Anyone with a loved one who is or has been in the military is invited to submit information and a photo for a slide show that will be part of the program. The deadline is noon Nov. 11; send information to pittman.chantae@newton.k12.ga.us.
