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Veterans prepare for Memorial Day
The Memorial Day celebration is in honor of those who have given their lives so that Americans can continue to maintain the freedoms held dear, the posts said. In addition, veterans are invited to join either or both of the local posts. The officialMemorial Day holiday is Monday, May 26. Guest speakers as well as entertainment are on the schedule and hot dogs and soft drinks will be available. The posts said that Buddy Poppies will be available throughout the day. "Memorial Day is a very special day to our veterans and our nation..." stated a note released by the posts. " All veterans, their families and residents of Clay County are encouraged to be there to show their respect to all our fallen veterans, especially those heroes whose names are on the Memorial Wall on the Square." The posts plan to place flags at local graves of fallen veterans for the Memorial Day weekend. Veterans are also scheduled to be positioned around the town square and at local businesses to distribute Buddy Poppies. The posts said that all donations will be used to help Clay County veterans. A ceremony is planned at the square gazebo for 1 p.m. followed by the flagat the Veterans Memorial being lowered to half mast. Post 6812 of Hayesville has a tradition of providing financial assistance to veterans, active service members and their families. The post said that donations are made annually to the Asheville, Va., where veterans can receive medical assistance. In addition, combat troops are provided with a $100 Post Exchange credit card. The post also sends them phone cards so they may better keep in touch with the local family members they left behind. Post 6812 said that while they pray not to have any veterans Killed In Action, Gold Star Banners are provided for families of veterans serving in a combat zone, who may have shown the ultimate sacrifice. "If you or a loved one is now serving in a combat zone we will provide a Blue Star Banner to your family, so they may show the pride they have for your service to our country," the post stated. The post also provides a burial detail for funeral services to every Clay County veteran and a portion of Cherokee County veterans. The post asks that veterans let their family know they want to be buried with full military honors and said that the service is provided freely by Post 6812, American Legion Post 532 and 96, DAV Chapter 73 and VFW Post 10222. The veterans post said that they were also very active in the community, providing and maintaining the American and Prisoner of War Missing in Action flags at the town square, the senior center, Moss Memorial Library, the library book store and at the baseball field, where Post 6812 is located in the John Corn Building. Flags are also donated to county organizations. The post also ensures that the Veterans Memorial on the square sees fresh flowers planted twice a year. "Our American and POW-MIA flags flyproudly above reminding us of the many sacrifices our veterans endure," the post said. Also, one of the county's Little League baseball teams is sponsored by Post 6812 as well as the Hayesville Sea Scout Ship, part of the Boy Scout Troop of Hayesville. The grounds and buildings of the sports complex of Clay County are leased to the county, the Clay County School District and the Black and Gold Association for an annual fee of one dollar by the post, which holds meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the John Corn building. The exception is a quarterly pot luck dinner held at the Senior Center on Ritter Road at 6 p.m. for all Clay County veterans and their families on the 4th Thursday of March, June, September and December.
To comment on this article, e-mail Harrison at hkeely@ smokymountainsentinel.com.
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