Events include American Flag placements to mark the graves of veterans and Memorial Services

Chapel Hill, NC -(May 21, 2021)  Memorial Day – which honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military – is officially observed in 2021 on Monday, May 31. 

Orange County Veterans Memorial Day events begin Saturday, May 29 with American Flag placements at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery at 1721 Legion Road. American Legion Post 6 joins with other local veterans, Chapel Hill Scout Troops 835 and 505 and the community to place flags on marked graves of veterans beginning at 6:30 am though 7:30 am. After the flag placement ceremony there will be a short memorial service at 8 am. The American Legion this year will honor Major Everett “Bud” Hampton, USMC (Retired) who passed away on May 13th, 2021, at the age of 97.  For more details visit https://www.chapelhillpost6.com/post-activities/memorial-day/ .

On Memorial Day on May 31, The Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee is hosting a memorial service at the Veterans Memorial site at 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, (above Seymour Center). It starts with seating by 7:45 am and the raising of colors promptly at 8 am, followed by a Memorial Service. The Memorial Day address will be given by Nick Palmisciano, CEO of Diesel Jack Media. He is Founder of Ranger Up and a former United States Army Infantry Officer. The complete program is as follows:

2021 MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM
May 31st, 2021
7:45am – 8:30 am

Veterans Memorial Site, off Homestead Road
In case of rain: Southern Human Services Center or Seymour Center

___________________________

Call to Order
James Merritt, United States Army
Posting of Colors
The Honorable Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood and The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard under the instruction of Major Kevin L. Jones
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Lee Heavlin, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Retired); Vietnam, Korea Defense
Welcome
James Merritt, United States Army, Vietnam
Special Recognitions | Gold Star Families, Military
Renée A. Price, Chair, Board of County Commissioners, Orange County
Acknowledgments | Elected Officials, Dignitaries 
Barbara M. Foushee, Mayor Pro-Tem, Town of Carrboro 
Introduction of Guest Speaker
David Chandler, United States Air Force, Persian Gulf 
Memorial Day Address
Nick Palmisciano, CEO of Diesel Jack Media, Founder of Ranger Up, Former United States Army Infantry Officer
Update on Memorial
Bruce Runberg, Captain, United States Navy (Retired), Vietnam
Laying of the Wreath
Nick Palmisciano and Bruce Runberg 
Taps
Edward H. Gill

For more information about the Orange County, NC Veterans Memorial visit https://ocveteransmemorial.com/.

Finally, there will be an open house and food drive beginning at 11 am at the new American Legion Post 6 headquarters located at 3700 NC Hwy 54 West, Chapel Hill. A Post memorial service is at 11:30 am. Music begins at 1 pm featuring The Carolina Quarter, The Chapel Hill Village Band and The Guiding Lights. Maple View Mobile Ice Cream will be on site. Visit https://www.chapelhillpost6.com/ .

####

Photos by SP Murray

MEDIA CONTACT 
Lee Heavlin lheavlin@gmail.com