Thursday, November 11, 2010-Smyrna Veterans Day – 11:00 am-12:15 pm. Smyrna’s 3rd Annual Smyrna Veterans Day event was terrific. Thank you for all those who attended and to those like the Smyrna/Vinings Brightside who helped us publicize the event.
The Korean War was unleashed 60 years ago on June 25, 1950. 480,000 Americans fought there; 36,500 died there. On November 11, 2010, we gathered to remember all 480,000 as well as American veterans of all other wars.
It was a perfect day. The sky was beautiful and the weather was warm. Approximately 400 to 560 people were present at the ceremony.
Ceremonies included a presentation of the colors by the Campbell High School ROTC and the national anthem by renown singer (and former Miss Alaska) Maryline Blackburn. After that we recognized Purple Heart Veterans, Korean War Veterans, veterans of World War II, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and all Veterans. This was followed by an American Legion ceremony led by Charlie Barrett.
Our special speaker was Korean War veteran Ben S. Malcom. Col. Malcom is known throughout the Armed Forces as laying the foundation for today’s Special Forces Operations. He was followed by Bob Lanzotti, who spoke about the Vietnam War. We had beautiful choral music by the Belmont Hills Elementary School Honors Chorus, military band music by the 116th Georgia Army National Guard Band, and a benediction by Korean War veteran Sam Whitfield. Master of Ceremonies was Smyrna native Ken Turner, who is a Vietnam War Purple Heart veteran.
This annual event was sponsored by the City of Smyrna, Smyrna Rotary Club, Smyrna American Legion Post 160, The Veterans Memorial Association of Smyrna and Chick-Fil-A (5120 South Cobb Drive, near I-285).
