Events to honor veterans on Memorial Day

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 5/24/18

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Several events will be held in central and north Baldwin beginning Saturday to honor veterans for Memorial Day.Originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War in 1868, …

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Events to honor veterans on Memorial Day

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Several events will be held in central and north Baldwin beginning Saturday to honor veterans for Memorial Day.
Originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War in 1868, the term Memorial Day was first used in 1882. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation naming Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace of Memorial Day and was declared the official name by Federal law in 1967.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday, moving Memorial day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971.

Silverhill

After taking a year off the Gear Jammers Car Club will host its annual Silverhill Car Show on Saturday, May 26. Cars will be set up at town hall, Gazebo Park and in front of United Bank (historic Peoples Supply), corner of Alabama 104 and County Road 55, downtown.
Show-day registration, costing $25 for the first vehicle, $15 for each additional vehicle, begins at 8 a.m. Judging starts at 11 a.m.
A total of 75 awards will be handed out including two Best of Show awards, Peoples Choice, GM, Ford, Mopar, Independent, Import, Truck, Antique, Under Construction, Paint, Engine, Interior, British, three Best of Decades awards for each decade, Mustang, Challenger, Camaro, Corvette, two awards for Rat Rod, Longest Distance Traveled, Club Participation, Youngest Participant and Top 20.
Dash plaques will be awarded to the first 100 entries. Door prizes and goody bags will be available for participants. Food and drinks will be available on site, including early morning coffee and donuts. There will also be a 50/50 Jack Pot Drawing.
This is an alcohol-free event. Parking is on a first-come basis, no reserves.
Proceeds from the event will be used to add names to the Silverhill War Memorial.
A program to honor veterans will be held at the memorial on Monday, May 28 beginning at 10 a.m.

Robertsdale
The City of Robertsdale will host its annual Memorial Day program beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, May 28 at Gordon Coley Park on Alabama 59.
The program will begin with the raising of the flag and taps played by former Robertsdale Elementary School music director Suzie Vivar, with the Presentation of Colors by the Robertsdale High School Naval JROTC color guard.
Bibles will be presented to veterans, including the guest speaker. The program will conclude with a closing prayer.
Begun in 1993, the program’s first honoree was Mable Frey, auxiliary president for the local VFW and a veteran of World War II, the program was expanded to include several veterans about 16 years ago as a way to honor local veterans, said Mayor Charles Murphy.
“This is something we wanted to do, not only to honor those who have died in military service, but to show our appreciation to all of our veterans,” Murphy said.

Bay Minette
A Memorial Day program will be held Monday, May 28 at the William F. Green Veterans Home in Bay Minette, followed by a cookout hosted by the Boyington family from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Residents, their families, staff and guests are invited to this free event. Each plate consists of a hamburger, hot dog, chips, drink, cupcake, and “a huge helping of love, honor and gratitude,” said Robertsdale resident Tom Boyington, who organizes the event.
Donations are accepted to cover expenses, excess money will be put into the activity fund at the veterans home. For more information contact Tom Boyington at 251-978-8690 or teboyington@hotmail.com.