Press release from City of Asheville:
The City of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. May 27 at the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Stage, Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park.
The ceremony will feature short readings by Brothers Like These veterans that will recount their real-life experiences in service. Major General Rick Devereaux, US Air Force (Ret.), will give a keynote address titled “The Meaning of Memorial Day.”
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Brownie Newman will participate in a Recognition of Service. The 14th Weather Squadron Special Ceremonies Team will present a commemoration wreath in honor of the members of the Armed Forces and Asheville and Buncombe County emergency responders, as well as in commemoration of those who have sacrificed their lives in service to this country and our community.
A joint Asheville Police and Fire Department Honor guard will present and retire the colors.
US Marine veteran Ric Ledford will sing the National Anthem. April B, of April B & The Cool, will sing God Bless America. The Delta House Jazz Band will perform.
Pastor Mark Carlson, Captain US Army (Ret.), will give the invocation and benediction.
Additional ceremony participants include Ric Ledford, US Marine veteran; Stephen Henderson, US Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran, 1969-1970; Ed Norris, US Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran, 1967 (Purple Heart); and David Robinson, US Army, Vietnam Veteran, 1970-1971.
Josh Michael, a radio personality and program director for I Heart Media, will be the Master of Ceremonies.
The public is also encouraged to attend a 10 a.m. May 27 Memorial Day Ceremony at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Highway 70, Black Mountain. Asheville Police Capt. Gary Gudac, US Army and Army Reserve Military Police Corps, 1988-1998, will participate in a wreath-laying at this event.
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