ROCKINGHAM — In an effort to pay tribute and recognize local veterans, Richmond County Hospice will hold its sixth annual “Salute to Veterans” at 11 a.m. Friday.
The special event will take place at the Richmond County Hospice campus at 1119 U.S. 1 North, with registration beginning at 10:30 a.m., according to Family Services Manager Jessica Mims.
Col. Joseph Perry, M.D., a former field artillery officer who served for 31 years in the Army on three continents and was last year’s guest speaker said, “I have a special place in my heart for veterans. They are a special band of brothers and sisters. A veteran is someone who at some point wrote a blank check to the United States that is worth up to his or her life. And that is an honor.”
During the event, the Richmond Senior High School Junior ROTC drill team will perform a marching demonstration, the 82nd Airborne Division Band/ Brass Quintet from Fort Bragg will play patriotic selections representing each branch of the military and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office will honor veterans with a rifle volley salute and Taps played on trumpet.
Tom Flores, who retired from the Army in 2011, will also be on hand with his personal collection of military memorabilia that comes from his store, The Bunker Military Surplus & Collectibles in Aberdeen. Those in attendance will be able to peruse his collection prior to the event and during the lunch afterward catered by Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q.
Mims said the event is open to the community, veterans, their families and any patriotic citizens.
“This event is our way of giving back, not only to the veterans that we serve, but the community at large,” said Mims. “We always feel very honored to host this event, and we’re thankful for all the sponsors but more thankful, we say, to our military men and women.”
Reach reporter Matt Harrelson at 910-817-2674 and follow him on Twitter @mattyharrelson.