The 6th annual service was held on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn in Rocky Mount, VA.
Saturday, May 24, 2008 - The Veterans Memorial Day service was held on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn. This event, sponsored by the Franklin County Historical Society, is in its sixth year and honors the Franklin County citizens who have served in battles for the cause of freedom from the 1700s to the present. Absent this year was the Confederate Soldier statue that stood on the courthouse lawn for nearly 100 years. However, plans have been announced to replace this local landmark. A rifle salute is normally fired over the head of the statue during the service but was left out in recognition of the missing statue.
Mr. Bill Kingery, president of the Franklin County Historical Society gave the "Welcome" address. This was followed by the invocation by the Reverend Walter Lawson. Pledges and salutes were recited for the American Flag, Virginia State Flag and the Confederate Flag. Greetings were given by the Rocky Mount town Mayor Mr. Steve Angle, Mrs. Ilieta Chitwood, Miss Paula Meador and Mr. Dennis Fitts. Additional messages were delivered by Ms. Dolores Smith and Mrs. Linda Nezbeth. Ms. Linda Stanley, Director of the Franklin County Historical Society provided the conclusion and final remarks were presented by Anthony Chitwood of the Fincastle Rifles Camp, SCV.
Wreaths were placed in memory or honor for the following soldiers. In memory of Revolution War Soldiers and Patriots by Mr. Dennis Fitts, SAR. For Fallen Confederate Soldiers by Mrs. Dolores C. Smith, past Virginia Division President, UDC. Honoring the military service of Gen. Jubal A. Early by Anthony Chitwood, Fincastle Rifles Camp, SCV. Honoring all US war casualties by JROTC Cadets.
To close the service "Taps" was sounded on a trumpet by Alexander Young of Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
Take a look at the other photos that were taken during our coverage of this event:
Set 1
