Salute veterans Nov. 9 at Candler Field

The Candler Field Museum will hold the seventh annual Veterans Day program Nov. 9 with special recognition of Vietnam veterans. ’We have great speakers lined up in addition to patriotic music, vendors, good food and lots of military displays,’ said Ron Alexander. ‘We’ll have a drill team, honor guard and a flag folding ceremony. We’ll also have flybys of antique military aircraft including AT-6 and Stearman trainers. Lt. Gen. David Poythress will be our speaker.’ Gen. Poythress was past commander of the Georgia National Guard. He also served as Georgia Secretary of State and Commissioner of Labor.This year is the anniversary of the 50th year of the beginning of the Vietnam War and the 40th anniversary of the return of American troops from Vietnam. The last U.S. troops were pulled out of Vietnam in March 1973. During the ceremony organizers will acknowledge and welcome home all Vietnam veterans in a special ceremony.The Spalding High School band and a chorale group from Oak Hill Baptist Church will perform. Organizers expect this event to the one of the best yet held at Candler Field Museum. The museum will hold a raffle for an AR-15 rifle donated by Bill Taylor and family and Communications Towers. Raffle tickets are $20 each. This rifle has a $1,500 value including the magazine and scope.Tickets may be purchased at Barnstormer’s Grill, online at peachstateaero.com/tickets/ or by calling 770-467-9490.