WWI heroes to honored Dec. 1

Nine World War I veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice will be inducted into the Pike County Memorial Annex during a special program set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Pike County Auditorium on Highway 19 south in Zebulon. The program will be hosted by the Pike County American Legion Family, consisting of Post 197, Legion Auxiliary Unit 197 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 197.The 2018 Pike County Memorial Annex Induction Ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. Pike County will honor nine WWI inductees who are currently listed on the Pike County Veterans Memorial. The 2018 inductees include Corporal Arthur Ballard, Private Herman Davis, Corporal Leon Davis, Private First Class Roswell Hooten, Private Henry O’Neal, Private First Class Solon Self, Wagoner Vernon Slade, and brothers and Privates Pierre and Lawrence Sullivan. Highlights of the program will include WWI pre-program music, a POW/MIA recognition, a brief history of the Memorial Annex, a special WWI audio-visual presentation, an introduction and biography readings of the nine inductees and the unveiling of each inductee’s shadow box, remarks on the effects of disease on Americans during WWI since five of the nine inductees died from disease and Taps in honor of the nine inductees. The Memorial Annex Class of 2018 will join 12 other previous inductees. ’The Pike County community is invited to attend this ceremony in honor of these nine heroes, and increase their knowledge of Pike County history, and the First World War,’ said Post 197 special program director Bryan Richardson. ‘The history of the Pike County Memorial Annex, compiled facts on the inductees, along with the biographies and contents of the inductee’s shadow boxes will be incorporated in a book titled ‘Pike County Heroes – When Country and God Called’ which will be available for purchase at the conclusion of the ceremony. Proceeds will help support the continuance of this program.’