Veterans events planned locally

Published 3:31 pm Wednesday, November 7, 2007

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Residents who want to take part in Veteran’s Day ceremonies will have several ways to do so, beginning Sunday.

Gardendale First Baptist Church will be paying tribute to veterans in a ceremony Sunday morning and the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations in Fultondale are planning Monday ceremonies.

Additionally, several Veterans Day events are planned in Birmingham for Sunday and Monday.

Phil Cronin, new member and outreach minister for Gardendale First Baptist Church, said the church wants to show appreciation for men and women who have committed their lives to the protection of the United States.

Church members were given invite cards to be handed out to veterans and the church also sent out more than 500,000 e-mails to residents in the Gardendale and Birmingham area inviting veterans to the Sunday ceremony.

The church is providing a reception area for military members and their families that will feature refreshments and give them a chance to meet other military members.

Entertainment will feature an “Armed Service Medley” and “Amazing Grace” performed on real bagpipes. Pastor Kevin Hamm’s will deliver the patriotic message, “Is America Still Amazing?”.

“Much of what we hear these days is negative,” Cronin said. “It is time that we as a church and a nation honor our men and women who risk their very lives for ours. We want to do everything possible to let the men and women of our country know how grateful we are for their dedication, service and sacrifice.”

On Monday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion in Fultondale will join forces to honor veterans.

The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the North Jefferson Veteran’s Memorial Wall in Fultondale at U.S. 31 and old Carson Road.

Bob Mattox of VFW Post 10250 said the names on the wall and branch of service will be read aloud. With each name, a bell will be rung to recognize the name.

The VFW honor guard will also present the colors, followed by the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance and “God Bless America.”

Mattox, who served in the Army Medical Corps during the Korean War, said Veterans Day is more important now than ever with continued fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It gives these guys over there doing the fighting a little recognition for putting their lives on the line for our freedom,” Mattox said.

Ron Haygood, finance officer for American Legion Post 255, said his organization will not only be joining the VFW in ceremonies, but will also contribute a float to the Veterans Day parade in Birmingham on Monday.

He said the festivities aren’t only to honor veterans, but also spread awareness about the group’s purpose in the community.

“It’s our obligation to our soldiers and their families to honor them while they’re over there [in the Mideast],” Haygood said. “If someone’s in Iraq fighting and they’re a member of this post, we pay their dues and help their families if they need it. We do a lot of work in the community and we want everyone to know the American Legion is here to help.”

The 60th annual Veterans Day ceremonies in Birmingham begin on Sunday at 5 p.m. with a commemoration ceremony in Linn Park. The commemoration will be followed by a distinguished guest reception at Boutwell Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. and a veterans award dinner at 7 p.m.

Festivities will also take place on Monday at 7:30 a.m. with an ROTC and JROTC drill and color guard competition at Fair Park Arena. A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. at Cathedral Church of the Advent with chaplain and Lt. Col. Glenn Winter of the 81st Regional Support Command.

A World Peace Luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. at Boutwell Auditorium, followed by pre-parade entertainment at 12:45 p.m. in front of city hall.

The veterans day parade will begin at 1:30 p.m., starting on 19th Street and Eighth Avenue North.

Lastly, a commemoration of the Raymond Weeks monument will be held at 5 p.m. at the corner of Eighth Avenue North and 20th Street, across from Boutwell Auditorium. A press release said the refurbished monument recognizes “the beginning of National Veterans Day in Birmingham 60 years ago.”

For more information on the Gardendale First Baptist Church ceremonies, visit www.gfbconline.com or call 631-8791.

For tickets regarding the award dinner and peace luncheon in Birmingham, call 854-7852.