This news item expired on Monday, May 29, 2023 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Memorial Day on Monday, May 29 is a time to honor and mourn those who have died while serving in the U.S. Military. Honor the day by joining Buncombe County, along with the City of Asheville and the Veterans Council, in a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday starting at 2 p.m. at the Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park.
The keynote address will be delivered by Lt. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin (Ret.), USMC, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. He will share a powerful story of a lifetime commitment to the military and veterans, duty, honor, and Country.
The public is also encouraged to attend a 10 a.m. May 29 Memorial Day Ceremony at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Highway 70, Black Mountain.
Ceremony lineup:
- Short Reading - Jim Hernandez, USAF, Vietnam, Pilot, Brothers and Sisters Like These Veteran Writing Group.
- Colors presentation and retirement – joint Asheville Police and Fire Department Honor Guard
- Memorial Wreath presentation – City of Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and Buncombe County Commission Chairman Brownie Newman
- National Anthem and Taps performance – Bradley Parker,?Commandant, Asheville Marine Corps League Detachment 1417.
- A 13-Folds Flag-Folding Ceremony - Spider Trantham, Vietnam, Purple Heart.
Additional ceremony participants include Stephanie Young, Director of the Charles George VA Medical Center, Ted Minnick, US Army Vietnam, Steve Henderson, US Marines, Vietnam. Allan Perkal, US Air Force, Vietnam, will be the Master of Ceremonies.??
In addition to attending the ceremonies, you can commemorate the day by:
- Decorating with flags
- Thanking a Veteran
- Participating in the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day at 3 p.m.
- Buying a poppy from the Veterans of Foreign Wars