LOXLEY, Alabama — The town of Loxley honored veterans from all military conflicts in all branches of service on Friday, Nov. 1 with a pot-luck meal, followed by a short program, beginning with a Parade of Flags with a veteran presenting the flag for each branch of service with that branch’s signature song.
“I think we need to take a moment and remember Mayor Billy Middleton,” said Mayor Richard Teal, who served as the event MC. “He loved this event and loved being able to honor our veterans. I think he would have liked to be remembered.”
The Rev. Brian Wade, pastor of the Loxley Church of God, echoed those sentiments in presenting the opening prayer and blessing before attendees enjoyed a pot-luck meal.
The U.S. flag and Pledge of Allegiance was presented by the American Heritage Girls Troop AL 3130 and Trail Life USA Troop AL 1412. The National Anthem, along with a special presentation of “God Bless the U.S.A.,” was presented by Bennie Green.
Flag bearers were: Bill Bergman: Army; Darcy McGhee, Navy; Bill Bender, Coast Guard; Butch Turner, Air Force; Robert Mercer, Marines; and Rick Steadman, POW MIA Flag. Taps was presented by Brian Parnell.
Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Granada, the Persian Gulf, UN Peacekeeper veterans (Bosnia, Serbia, Somalia, Middle East); Iraq/Afghanistan and Cold War veterans were honored, along with wives and widows of veterans.
The Rev. Jonas Brock presented a prayer for our country, leaders and military. The Rev. Louis Johnson presented the closing prayer.
Door prizes from local businesses were presented, including Advance Transmission, Auto Zone, Barnes & Noble, Bell’s Pharmacy, Baldwin EMC, Buster’s BBQ, Campbell’s Hardware, Dillard’s, Eco View American, El Paisita, Emerald Coast Cutlery, Furniture City, Goo Roo’s, HHH Auto Oil Change, Holly Hills Municipal Golf Course, J.C. Penny, Lee’s Drug Store, Lilly Rowland, Little Red’s Crafting & More, Loxley Hardware, Loxley Baptist Church, Loxley United Methodist Church, Pfeiffer, Magnolia Blossom Café, Nancy Cole, Rick’s Gun & Pawn, Sam’s, Southern Grace Boutique, Southern Shui, Shrimp Basket, Sweat Tire, Waffle House, The Warehouse, Wilma Jayjohn, June Styron, Butch and Rita Turner, Lynda Williams, Joan Henderson, Burris Farm Market and Piggly Wiggly.
Door prizes were presented by Katherine Breeden, Rita Turner, Paige Wallace and Brayden Wallace. Music for the evening was presented by the City Rhythm Big Band.
A check was presented to the town of Loxley by the Disabled American Veterans Arnold Byers Chapter 45 which meets monthly at the Civic Center.
Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on Nov. 11, that honors all persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Veterans Day coincides with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, an observance of the anniversary of the end of World War I in which major hostilities were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
In the United States, Armistice Day was officially renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all U.S. military veterans. Memorial Day, which is observed the last Monday in May each year, honors U.S military veterans who died while in military service, while Armed Forces Day, also observed each year in May, honors those currently serving in the U.S. military.
Additional programs in Central and North Baldwin include, the George P. Thames Senior Center will present a program to honor veterans beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at the PZK Hall, 17833 Alabama 104, Robertsdale.
The City of Bay Minette will host a Veterans Day Program on Monday, Nov. 11 beginning with breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Bay Minette Civic Center.
A Veteran’s Day Parade will be held beginning at 10:15 a.m., parade assembles at 9:30 a.m. at BMES.
A ceremony will be held at The Eternal Flame on Courthouse Square will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at the Korean War Memorial at 11 at the Bay Minette Public Library.
A program to honor veterans will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at the Silverhill Veterans Memorial, located in Anderson Park on Main Street (Alabama 104), across from Town Hall.
Program will include guest speakers, recognition of all veterans, recognition of fallen soldiers, and live bugle music.
