Harnett County Veteran's Day Ceremony & Parade
Date and Time
Friday Nov 10, 2017
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST
Friday, November 10
11:00 a.m. - Ceremony
2:00 p.m. - Parade
Location
Harnett County Veteran's Park
301 West Cornelius Harnett Blvd.
Lillington, NC 27546
Description
The Harnett County Veterans Council will hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony Friday, November 10 at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park at 299 West Cornelius Harnett Blvd., Lillington, beside the Harnett County Courthouse.
The guest speaker at this year’s ceremony will be Lt. Col. Marcus W. Wright, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team 1-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
This year’s Veterans Day Ceremony will also include several special medal presentations to Harnett County veterans. Veterans who will receive medals include Booker T. Williams of the Shawtown Community and Bienvenidos Torres of the Spring Lake area. Medals will also be presented to the families of deceased veterans Willis C. Langdon and Ezra Darroch, both of Lillington.
Williams is a 101-year-old World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army under Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines. Tores is a veteran of the Korean War who was born in the Philippines and survived the Japanese occupation. He joined the U.S. Army following World War II. Langdon was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army. He was the father of former Harnett County Clerk of Court Dianne Hatley. Darroch was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army.
In addition to the medal presentations, there will be a presentation of colors and service flags by the Harnett Central JROTC, along with a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps” in remembrance of veterans who died in service to the nation. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be provided in the Harnett County Commons Area.
The annual Veterans Day Parade will begin at 2 p.m. The parade lineup will begin at 1 p.m. on 10th Street, and the parade route will go down West Front Street, turn onto South Main Street, and then onto West Lofton Street. The medal recipients and their families will serve as parade grand marshals.
Veteran Services Officer John Elskamp will also be on-hand to take brick orders for the Veterans Memorial Walkway, which is currently being installed at Veterans Memorial Park. Citizens may purchase bricks in honor or in memory of their loved ones who are veterans of the U.S. Military. The cost per brick is $40 and replica bricks may be purchased for $20 each. Proceeds will go toward additional projects and programs to benefit Harnett County Veterans Memorial Park and the county’s veterans.
For more information or a parade entry application, go to http://harnett.org/veterans/ or contact Veterans Council President Amy Noel at anoel@harnett.org or (910) 893-7574.