Published: November 06, 2008 09:08 pm      

Veterans Appreciation Day planned in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE — A special tribute to World War II veterans will be the feature of this year’s Veterans Appreciation Day set for Sunday in Fayetteville.

“We have been holding this event for the past 15 years,” said Ken Eskew, a retired U.S. Army colonel, member of American Legion LaFayette Post 149 and current Fayette County Commission president.

The event will honor all past military veterans, as well as those currently serving in the military, Eskew said.

“This event will give us a moment to focus and say ‘thank you’ for your service to your country,” he said. “Throughout the history of this country, we’ve been engaged in warfare that have set courses to the freedoms that we enjoy today.”

Eskew said while veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan are usually spotlighted, veterans who fought in Granada, Panama, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo are remembered as well.

“This event is for anyone who has severed in the military, even if it wasn’t during a time of war or conflict,” he said.

The event will be held at 3 p.m. in the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building and will feature the Fayetteville Community Chorus and the Fayetteville Ministerial Association. The event is being sponsored by the American Legion LaFayette Post 149.

The program includes Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.

“Many times our school systems don’t teach a lot of the history or tell about the people who gave their lives to protect the United States,” Eskew said. “We’re also trying to educate the public, especially the young people.”

Eskew says a special ceremony will be held to honor the veterans of World War II.

“There aren’t many left today and we want to give them a special honor,” he said.

The program also includes patriotic tunes and a ceremony for POWs and MIAs.

There will also be a 21-gun salute to those gave their life in service of their country.

“We urge the public to come out and help us thank our veterans for their service,” Eskew said.

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