ROCKINGHAM — There are several events scheduled across Richmond County in the coming days to honor local veterans.
Richmond County Hospice will kick off the weekend with its 10th annual Salute to Veterans event on Friday, Nov. 5.
The celebration will feature a performance by the 82nd Airborne Division Band out of Fort Bragg and a jump team parachute demonstration.
Hospice posted photos to its Facebook page Wednesday of cadets from Richmond Senior High School’s Army JROTC unit setting up the tent ahead of the event.
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with the program starting at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to “all patriotic citizens,” and will also include a lunch.
Those attending are asked to RSVP by calling 910-997-4464.
On Saturday, three local veterans organizations — American Legion Post 147, VFW Post 4203 and AMVETS Post 316 — will be hosting their annual observance ceremony at Richmond County Veterans Memorial Park.
The ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m. will feature a presentation of wreaths and a speech from retired Maj. Darryl A. Kelly, who is the Army JROTC instructor at Richmond Senior. Slated to sing the national anthem is Charity Davis and Cameron McDonald is on tap to play Taps.
The event concludes with a free lunch at the VFW.
The day’s festivities then move to downtown Rockingham for the annual Veterans Day parade, organized by the VFW Post 4203 Auxiliary.
Regional award-winning band Mark McKinney and Co. will be performing in Harrington Square and the All Veteran Group Jump Team, based in Raeford, will hold a meet and greet before gliding down to the BB&T bank parking lot prior to the start of the parade.
(See schedule below.)
On Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, the town of Dobbins Heights will hold its annual service at the Community Center, starting at 9 a.m.
