Honoring those who served on Veterans Day

Lt. Col. Mike Howard, U.S. Army (Ret.) will give the keynote address Wednesday at the annual Veterans Day observance at the Veterans Memorial in front of the library. It will begin at the traditional hour of 11 a.m.Lt. Col. Howard is a Barnesville resident and native who served many years in the Army. (See related story in The Herald Gazette).The event is being coordinated by the local American Legion and VFW posts. Firefighters will put up the large American flag for the event and the Barnesville Police Department is providing the color guard.Two Gold Star mothers, May Jean Mann and Patsy Rabuck, will attend. Gold Star mothers are those who have lost sons or daughters in combat. After the observance, a meal will be served at the civic center by the VFW and American Legion auxiliaries. The local Rotary Club is assisting by providing side dishes and help in setting up the civic center. ’Rotary’s motto is about service to others We feel honored to serve those who have protected our country and this is one way we can show them,’ club president Kelly Hughes said.At 2 p.m., the National Roll Call will be observed on the Gordon State College campus.Brigadier General Larry Dudney of the Georgia National Guard will give the keynote address. Maj. Patricia Justice (U.S. Army), a GSC nursing grad who earned a Purple Heart, will be the alumni speaker.Over 1000 flags will line the sidewalks on and around Lambdin Green on campus for this patriotic salute to veterans.Programs are also scheduled at the elementary and high schools Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m.