Candler Field Museum to hold Veterans Day event Nov. 7

Candler Field Museum will present a Veterans Day program Saturday, Nov. 7 starting at 10 a.m. The program will include aircraft flybys, Army helicopter static displays, WWII re-enactors and patriotic music. The event will begin with a live concert featuring the Freedom Belles and the Griffin Spalding County Elementary School Chorus. Music will include songs by Mrs. Sylvia Hollums and Eric Moye. The Griffin High School Junior ROTC drill team will also perform.’This year marks the ninth anniversary of the Veterans Day Event presented by Candler Field Museum,’ said Ron Alexander. ‘This program has evolved through the years and is now one of the best Veterans Day celebrations in the region. This year will be no exception.’Â This year’s speaker is Jack McCormick, a decorated Vietnam helicopter pilot. He flew the famous Huey helicopter, an aircraft that has become a symbol of the Vietnam War. Jack’s primary mission was combat assault which included insertion and extraction of ground troops in unfriendly landing zones. He flew more than 1,200 combat hours including an operation into Cambodia. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and the Air Medal with 42 Oak Leaf Clusters.One of the highlights of the event each year is the recognition of all veterans in the audience. Every veteran is asked to line up behind their respective service flag and march in front of the crowd. The program will conclude with a flag folding ceremony by the Marine Corps League, a 21 gun volley and a missing man formation of PT-17 Stearman trainers while taps is being played.Veterans Day is a chance to commemorate the contributions of living veterans and to remember the sacrifices of those who have died. Originally called Armistice Day, it was celebrated on Nov. 11, the last day of World War I. It became a national holiday in 1938. However, realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of World War II and Korea, Congress decided to make the day an occasion to honor all those who served America. In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.Raffle tickets for an AR-15 may be purchased at Barnstormer’s Grill.