With less than two weeks to go before Veterans Day, there are several events to honor those from Richmond County who served in the military, starting this week.
On Friday, Nov. 1, Richmond County Hospice will host its 13th annual Salute to Veterans, starting at 11 a.m..
The guest speaker this year is Charlie McHarney, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant who now works as the director of leadership and character development at the O’Neal School in Moore County.
AMVETS Post 316 is scheduled to give a history of the nation’s military branches, and John Taylor is slated to once perform a recitation of “Ragged Old Flag” by Johnny Cash.
The event will also include: music by the 82nd Airborne Brass Quintet; a dove release; flag posting and 21-gun salute by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office; and feature participation from the chorus and cadets from the Army JROTC Raider Battalion of Richmond Senior High School.
Click here to see photos from the 2023 Salute to Veterans.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, the county’s veterans organizations are partnering for their annual service at Veterans Memorial Park, across from VFW Post 4203.
The guest speaker will be Monica Lockwood, chaplain of the American Legion Department of North Carolina. Lockwood, of Cherryville, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966-68 and has been active with the American Legion since 1997.
The event will also feature a wreath-laying ceremony and free lunch at the post.
At 1 p.m., the festivities shift downtown to the parking lot across from Hudson Brothers Deli and the Richmond Community College campus for a parachute demonstration from the All Veteran Group Jump Team and music by Mark McKinney and Company.
That same day, Rockingham Dragway is hosting Freedom at the Rock, a free track day for veterans and active military personnel, as well as first responders.
In addition to drag racing, the event is scheduled to include a car show, flyover, parachute jump — also by the All Veteran Group — and Humvee race. Gates open at 8 a.m.
The town of Dobbins Heights will host its annual service at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, at the community center.
Guest speaker will be Larry Hall, former N.C. secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs, serving from 2017-2021.
VFW Post 4203 Auxiliary will host its annual Rockin’ for Veterans on Nov. 16 at the post, featuring music by the Jonathan Robinson Band and Ponder Louder.
Rockin’ for Veterans began in 2016 as a fundraiser by the VFW Auxiliary, with proceeds going to provide care packages to local service members stationed overseas.
The show was canceled in 2020 due to government restrictions in response to the COVID pandemic. The event was also not held in 2023, however the auxiliary hosted its inaugural Shagging for Our Soldiers in January of this year.
Robinson’s band features drummer Rob Dufresne, who served as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army, and Joe Felice on bass. Dufresne is also a member of VFW Post 4203. Robinson performed at Rockin’ for Veterans in 2017,2018, 2019 and 2022, as well as Shagging for our Soldiers.
Ponder has performed in all but one of the events from 2016-2021, and this will be the first time with the current lineup.
Admission is a $10 donation at the door.
Last month, the town of Norman unveiled its Field of Honor to remember the county’s veterans.
Click here to read more about the Field of Honor.
Note: This story has been updated to correct a name. 5 p.m. 10-29-24.
Note: This story has been updated to correct the time for the Dobbins Heights service and add the speaker. 3:30 10-31-24.