Some area Veterans Day events

From staff reports
Published: November 11, 2008

—The National D-Day Memorial invites the public to honor those who have served our nation at its annual Veterans Day Observance at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Program highlights include the dedication of a number of new Memorial statues, music by Brass Five, recognition of veterans, and Junior ROTC students from area schools. Statues to be dedicated include the new “Across the Beach,” and portrait busts of Winston Churchill, Air Chief Marshall Leigh-Mallory, and Allied Ground Forces Commander British General Bernard Montgomery.

The World War II American Workforce plaque, a gift from the United Auto Workers, will be dedicated as well. Placement of the plaque will occur at a later date.

The bust of Churchill is the gift of Ted Weigland, a World War II veteran from Lynchburg. Weigland served with the 26th Infantry Division in Normandy, St. Lo and the Battle of the Bulge. The bust of Leigh-Mallory is being given by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Mann in memory of Dr. Mann’s father. Dr. Mann is a former board member of the National D-Day Memorial.

A number of the Camp Family Foundations of Virginia are sponsoring the portrait bust of Montgomery.

The new version of “Across the Beach,” which features an infantryman and medic in action, is the gift of Mr. and Mrs. E. Claiborne Robins Jr.

Admission to the Memorial will be free from 10 a.m. to noon. Guests should bring a chair for the program.

For more information, call (540) 586-3329 or visit the Memorial Web site at http://www.dday.org.

—The American Legion Post 16 will hold a Veterans Day Observance beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Monument Terrace, Church Street (guests should arrive at 10:30 a.m.).

Visitors may bring photographs a veteranfrom any war or conflict. Veterans are encouraged to wear hats designating the branch of the military in which they served.

Steve Bozeman, USMC Vietnam veteran, will serve as ceremony director, and Dallas Wade, U.S. Air Force and former commander of American Legion Post 16, as master of ceremonies. The invocation will be given by Chaplain Robert Cardwell, current commander American Legion Post 16; the National Anthem by Gary Witt, USMC Vietnam veteran; and the Pledge of Allegiance by Frank Conte, World War II D-Day and Battle of the Bulge veteran. The guest speaker will be Master Sgt. Jack Turner, USMC retired.

The event will include the posting of colors, the “Toll of the Bell” for deceased Iraqi/Afghanistan Freedom reterans, a rifle salute and taps.

—Liberty University will hold Military Appreciation Week. The schedule:

Nov. 10: Students Behind our Soldiers booth (in front of bookstore in DeMoss) from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Military Convocation with Tim Lee at 10 a.m., and Military Panel at 12:30 p.m., (DeMoss 1113).

Nov. 11: SBS booth 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Veteran’s & Family Appreciation Service at noon, Thomas Road Baptist Church, National Guard Humvee and gun display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (in front of DeMoss), PTSD awareness meeting with speaker Clay Peters at 7 p.m. (DeMoss 1113).

Nov. 12: SBS booth from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., National Guard Rock Wall, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (in front of DeMoss), Candlelight Tribute Service for Fallen Soldiers, 10 p.m. on DeMoss stairs.

Nov. 13: Blackhawk landing from noon to 4 p.m. in the intramural field between David’s place and North campus.

—Classy Car Wash, with locations in Madison Heights (off U.S. 29) and Forest (near Food Lion), is participating in a program, Grace for Vets, which honors those who are serving or have served in the military.

On Veterans Day, anyone who can show some form of ID that indicates military service (discharge papers, military ID, military medal, license plates, etc.) will be given a free car wash at either location. Miniature American flags will also be given out.

—All veterans are invited to the annual Veteran’s Day program beginning at 9:45 a.m. Nov. 11 at Rockfish River Elementary School, 200 Chapel Hollow Road, Afton.

For information, call (434) 361-1791.