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TODAY: Honoring Our Veterans with Memorial Services, Ceremonies Around the High Country

Blowing Rock Veterans
Veterans Day Ceremony, Blowing Rock 2015

By Emily Willis

If you have any information of other Memorial Services in the High Country, please contact Jessica at jessica@highcountrypress.com.

Each year on Nov. 11th, we show our appreciation and give thanks to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving the country and protecting our freedom. This year, join the High Country in various ceremonies and memorial services to show your appreciation!

The High Country Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (HCCMOAA) is a non-profit veterans’ association dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and to preserving the earned entitlements of members of the uniformed services and their families and survivors. The High Country chapter was formed in 2004 and serves Avery, Mitchell, and Watauga counties. The HCCMOAA will be heading the Veterans Day ceremonies and services in Boone this year.

ASU: Veterans Day Ceremony

The first of two ceremonies will take place  at 9 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial, which is adjacent to the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building on campus. Chancellor Sheri N. Everts will deliver remarks, as will Dr. Doug May, a former commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and former professor in the Department of Computer Information Systems at ASU.

A reception will follow in the lobby of the Dougherty building. There will be free parking in the Rivers Street Parking Deck. In case of adverse weather, the ceremony will take place in the lobby of the Dougherty building.

Original Mast General Store: Flag Retirement and Celebration of Service

Join the Original Mast Store, located at Highway 194 in Banner Elk, at 9:30 a.m. for their flag retirement ceremony. The flag is a symbol of our sovereign nation and should be treated with respect, even in it’s retirement. Veterans and active military personnel are encouraged to join the Mast Store for this celebration of service.

Boone Mall: Veterans Day Memorial Service

The HCCMOAA will be coordinating the Veterans Day activities at the Boone Mall. This annual tradition, now in it’s 10th year, will consist of patriotic music performed by The Watauga Band, The Watauga High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets post the colors and Keith Buchanan, a World War II historian, as the featured speaker.

The service is free and open to the public and will begin at 10:30 a.m. and last until noon at the Boone Mall. There will be about 300 chairs set up for the audience, providing plenty of room for everyone interested in the service. “The Boone Mall is the only place in Boone that can hold a large amount of people indoors, which is the main reason why the Memorial Service is held there,” says CK Golden, current manager of the Boone Mall. “Having the service at the mall also makes it more accessible for older attendees and veterans who aren’t able to get around as easily.”

Blowing Rock: Veterans Day program at Rotary Gazebo

The American Legion Post 256 will hold a Veterans Ceremony at the Rotary Gazebo in Memorial Park in downtown Blowing Rock on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The event will be conducted by Post Commander Albert Yount and Post Adjutant Jim West.

This program is held each year in Blowing Rock. Bill Parker, retired USMC lieutenant colonel will be featured at the even. The story he will present for this Veterans Day is called “the Janitor and the Cadets.”

Newland: Veterans Day Celebration at YMCA

In an effort to honor veterans and celebrate their service, a countywide event with a luncheon and a program for the veterans will be held at the YMCA’s Chapman Center near Cannon Memorial Hospital beginning at 11:30 a.m.

All in Avery County are invited to attend this Veterans Day event!

In addition to serving lunch to the area Veterans, there will be a speaker, music by Jessie Smith and presentations and educational opportunities on subjects like the way to properly “retire” our flag, as well as a videotape of interviews of veterans in our county. Additionally, the Avery High School Color Guard will be on hand, along with local dignitaries.

ASU: Grand Opening of the Student Veteran Resource Center at Appalachian State University

Join ASU at 3:00 p.m. for the grand opening of the university’s Student Veteran Resource Center, which will provide on- and off-campus resources to student veterans. The grand opening will include a public ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception in Room 226 (Linville Falls) in the Plemmons Student Union. Free parking will be available in the College Street Parking Deck beside Belk Library and Information Commons. A light reception will follow

Future Watauga County Veteran’s Memorial

The HCCMOAA has recognized a need for a Memorial to pay tribute to our Veteran’s. There is currently a project in the works to build a memorial. It is planned to be located adjacent to Town Hall on King Street. The HCCMOAA asks the community to come together and donate funds to build this Memorial. Donations can be made online or sent to:

Watauga County Veterans’ Memorial Fund
c/o High Country MOAA
P O Box 3312
Boone, NC 28607

Check out these photos taken at last year’s Veterans Day ceremony at the Blowing Rock Memorial Park:

Veterans Day Cermony in Blowing Rock NC
Veterans Day Cermony in Blowing Rock NC
Veterans Day Cermony in Blowing Rock NC
Veterans Day Cermony in Blowing Rock NC
Veterans Day Cermony in Blowing Rock NC
Veterans Day Cermony in Blowing Rock NC

Blowing Rock Veterans

Blowing Rock Veterans