November 6, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
A Veterans Day observance will be held Friday, November 11 at the DeKalb County Complex auditorium sponsored by The American Legion and Ladies’ Auxiliary Post 122. Patriotic music will be featured at 9:30 a.m. by Susan Hinton with the program following at 10 a.m.
The ceremony will start with the presentation of colors by the 1377th Bobby Ray Detachment Marine Corps; Pledge of Allegiance led by Ronnie Redmon, Post 122 Adjutant; National Anthem by the DCHS Band and DCHS Chorus; Prayer by Larry Green, Chaplain of Post 122.
Judy Redmon, President of the American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary will introduce the guest speaker, Bill Rutherford, Veteran Service Officer for DeKalb County and the American Legion.
Following the program, the group will gather at the courthouse downtown for the placement of a wreath, prayer by Don Rigsby, and the playing of “Taps” at the site of the veterans memorial monument.
Lunch for veterans and their families, band and chorus members will be served after the ceremony sponsored by Senior Citizens Director Pam Redmon; the American Legion Post 122 and Ladies Auxiliary, and the Woodmen of the World represented by Tom Bumbalough.
A special thanks to Jan Thomas for decorations, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps and School Transportation Supervisor Michael Agee for authorizing transportation from the county complex to the courthouse for the veterans, Sheriff Patrick Ray, Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, and DeKalb EMS Director Hoyte Hale for their cooperation and to all county officials in attendance.