Veteran's Day Celebration

The Barnett-Harris Post 15 of the American Legion will sponsor the annual Griffin-Spalding County Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park on Memorial Drive. The program will begin at 11 a.m. This specific time holds significance as it marks the moment the Armistice with Germany was signed on Nov. 11, 1918, concluding World War I.

Bleachers will be available for seating. However, attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held in the Fifty Forward Senior Center on Memorial Drive.

Air Force veteran and American Legion Post 15 Commander Alfred Archer invites the community to join in honoring all of the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The program will include:

• Posting of the colors by the Marine Corps League Detachment 1196
• Patriotic music by Eric Moye, Sylvia Hollums, and Achaia Missionary Baptist Church Praise Team
• Dedication of memorial brick pavers and flags
• A salute to the branches of the Armed Forces
• Three rifle volleys by the Marine Corps League honor guard
• The playing of “Taps”

The keynote speaker will be retired Air Force Lt. Col. Craig P. Lauderdale. A former pilot who served in the Middle East after the 9/11 attacks, Lauderdale has flown 995 combat hours and 150 combat sorties over Afghanistan and Iraq. He currently flies as a 737 pilot for Southwest Airlines, based out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.