The public is invited to honor veterans on Friday. The city of Cumming, in conjunction with American Legion Post 307 and a local homeschool group, will hold a Veterans Day ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. by the city’s Veterans War Memorial. The city holds Veterans Day and Memorial Day observances every year. Both are free and open to the public. Pam Daugherty, one of the event organizers with Forsyth Christian Home Educators, said Friday’s ceremony will feature a range of speakers and performances, all in honor of America’s heroes from the Armed Forces. “It’s a wonderful time of patriotism and just a great opportunity to there to say thank you to all our veterans,” she said. Among the performances will be several songs by students involved in the Forsyth Christian Home Educators and Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth, as well as the Forsyth Central High band and the North Forsyth High School Marine Corps JROTC. In addition, there will be presentations by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Ladies Auxiliary groups of the American Legion and VFW. Local Boy Scouts, city leaders, the Forsyth County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office will also take part. Daugherty said she and other organizers are especially excited to welcome the keynote speaker, Gen. John “Jay” Hendrix, retired from the U.S. Army. Hendrix spent more than 36 years on active duty as an infantry officer, commanding soldiers at all levels. He is a Ranger, master parachutist and fixed wing aviator who has received various awards for valor and service. He also served five years as vice president for strategic planning for United Defense and for British Aerospace & Engineering’s land and armaments division.Daugherty said last year the event drew about 50 area veterans, along with many supporters. “Since the weather’s looking like it should be good — might be a little chilly, but it should be nice — we’re hoping for a large turnout this year,” she said.“For the veterans to be able to look out and see that people from the community are there for just an hour of their time to show their gratitude for the veterans’ sacrifice … that’s the most important thing.”
The public is invited to honor veterans on Friday. The city of Cumming, in conjunction with American Legion Post 307 and a local homeschool group, will hold a Veterans Day ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. by the city’s Veterans War Memorial. The city holds Veterans Day and Memorial Day observances every year. Both are free and open to the public. Pam Daugherty, one of the event organizers with Forsyth Christian Home Educators, said Friday’s ceremony will feature a range of speakers and performances, all in honor of America’s heroes from the Armed Forces. “It’s a wonderful time of patriotism and just a great opportunity to there to say thank you to all our veterans,” she said. Among the performances will be several songs by students involved in the Forsyth Christian Home Educators and Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth, as well as the Forsyth Central High band and the North Forsyth High School Marine Corps JROTC. In addition, there will be presentations by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Ladies Auxiliary groups of the American Legion and VFW. Local Boy Scouts, city leaders, the Forsyth County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office will also take part. Daugherty said she and other organizers are especially excited to welcome the keynote speaker, Gen. John “Jay” Hendrix, retired from the U.S. Army. Hendrix spent more than 36 years on active duty as an infantry officer, commanding soldiers at all levels. He is a Ranger, master parachutist and fixed wing aviator who has received various awards for valor and service. He also served five years as vice president for strategic planning for United Defense and for British Aerospace & Engineering’s land and armaments division.Daugherty said last year the event drew about 50 area veterans, along with many supporters. “Since the weather’s looking like it should be good — might be a little chilly, but it should be nice — we’re hoping for a large turnout this year,” she said.“For the veterans to be able to look out and see that people from the community are there for just an hour of their time to show their gratitude for the veterans’ sacrifice … that’s the most important thing.”