Schedule of Events

Chapel Hill  Veterans salute our men and women in uniform.  “Those who have gone before remember their sacrifice and appreciate the service of today’s soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen to Our Country.”

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Flag placement at veteran’s gravesites,  Placement takes place Friday evening before sunset.  Public invited to assist veterans and local Boy Scouts at Chapel Hill Cemetery.  This is a rewarding experience for those who participate in honoring those who served their country and North Carolina.

8 a.m.            Memorial Ceremony at Cemetery Plaza

• A traditional morning colors event.  This is the beginning of the military work day. 
• A reading of the General Order establishing Decoration Day, 1868.  Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day in 1968. 
• Prayers for our fallen comrades and for those in harms way today.
  • Local churches are invited to participate.

   

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Veterans and Scouts visit Chapel Hill Cemetery; assist families, provide water for flowers.

            Local churches will have member veterans distribute information on Memorial Day and the Buddy Poppy program.

Monday, May 26, 2008 

8 a.m.            Sunrise Memorial Day Morning Colors service at the Chapel Hill Cemetery. 

9 a.m.            Open House - American Legion site opens for visitors

• American Legion Post roadway and grounds decorated with American Flags.  Flags placement is from Legion Road to Post building. 
• Static Displays on Post grounds (this is a 35 acre site).  Items include:
  • World War II vehicles
  • World War II Uniforms
  • Vietnam period vehicles
  • Vietnam Conflict Helicopter. Helicopter Displays Vietnam Helicopter Association of North Carolina
  • Seabee Veterans of America Float
  • Chapel Hill Police and Fire Department equipment.
  • North Carolina National Guard.
  • United States Army
• Area Veterans Groups – tables and tents
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars  – Buddy Poppy tent
  • American Legion Post 6, Chapel Hill
  • Disabled American Veterans – Forget Me Not flowers given out
  • Seabee Veterans of America
  • Vietnam Veterans of America
  • Rolling Thunder, NC-4 Chapter, Hillsborough
• Veterans Service Organizations – Information and support for our returning veterans.
  • Durham VA Medical Center
  • North Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs – Hillsborough Office
• Local Friends of Veterans
  • Chapel Hill Magazine
• Inside Displays
  • Memorabilia from military conflicts – World War II to current
  • Greeting Cards from Chapel Hill residents to our troops.
    • Three large rolls for adding messages from our town (Orange County) to our troops overseas.  One each for
      • U.S. Navy at Sea
      • Afghanistan Theater Forces
      • Iraq Theater Forces
  • Picture displays honoring our Veterans – Families are encouraged to submit photos to the VFW and American Legion Posts for inclusion.  Pictures may be dropped off for inclusion by going to  Chapel Hill Magazine, 104-B North Elliott Road, Chapel Hill, NC  27514. Enter through the BB&T parking lot entrance.  Call Chapel Hill Magazine at (919) 933-1551 for details.
    • Pictures of citizens serving our country 1990 – Present
    • Pictures of our service men and women serving overseas now.
    • Pictures of service men and women who have died during the current conflict (September 11^th, 2001 to present).
    • Pictures of our veterans who perished in the line of duty 1990 to present.

11 a.m.          Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony – Inside building

Honor Guard – Boy Scouts of America, Troop 39

Opening Prayer

Speakers

Guest of Honor

·        Captain Ted Triebel, U.S. Navy (Retired),  F4 Phantom pilot shot down over North Vietnam and interred in POW camp.

Benediction

12 noon         Hot Dogs and Coca-Cola (free to public)

• Music Group Performance – The Village Band

2 p.m.            Salute to our Local Law Enforcement and Fire Departments

• Display of Fire Department Pond Water Drawdown Training.  Creates large Waterworks from Legion Pond
• Rescue demonstration

3 p.m.            Final Wrap-up at Flag Pole area.  Thanks to visitors

6 p.m.            Recover flags from Legion and Cemetery

Sunset           Chapel Hill Cemetery  - Ending Prayer, Remarks and Taps

Inside American Post Layout

Small Room – American Legion and VFW Displays

·        Flag Displays

·        Current Conflict (1990 – Present) Honor Roll

o       A display of submitted photographs of those who served

o       A display honoring those who perished in this conflict.

·        Veteran-provided memorabilia from WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, current conflicts – Bud Hampton project.  High interest item.

Large Auditorium –

     Greeting Card signing stations

Hourly Panel discussions/open forum with veterans – One panel from each war period.  Use Legion and VFW members.  Items include Iwo Jima, Mauthausen, Battle of the Bulge, Women in the Military (Then and Now)

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