Update from Black Mountain Salutes:
Unfortunately, we are cancelling the event because of rain and an uptick in COVID cases in the area. If you have any questions please feel free to call 703.217.8396.
Press release from Black Mountain Salutes:
Veterans Day Roll Call will be held in lieu of our annual Veterans Day Parade, due to the current pandemic. Our hope is it will become an annual event along with the Black Mountain Salutes Veterans Day Parade.
Black Mountain Salutes announced the cancellation of the Veterans Day Parade because of concerns with an increase in COVID cases in Western North Carolina. An event deemed, ‘Veterans Day Roll Call’ will be offered instead which will allow for social distancing and better precautions in fighting the spread of the virus. WNC Veterans will be gathering in Black Mountain Town Square at 2:00PM on November 11, 2020 to read the name, rank and branch of participating veterans.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Mike Ogus, Chief Petty Officer Theodore Horan and 1st Lieutenant Weston Hall along with local Veterans organizations have been planning this first time event as a contingency plan for COVID-19. “We wanted to do something to honor Veterans and this is our way to show Veterans and the general public we are still here.” stated (retired) LTC Mike Ogus.
Veterans Day ‘Roll Call’ event will feature the following on November 11, 2020 at Black Mountain Town Square:
1:45PM Bag Pipes
2:00PM Service Begins – Owen JROTC Honor Guard Post Colors
National Anthem – Anna Banzoff
Opening Statements – (Retired) Chief Petty Officer Theodore Horan
Poem – (Retired) LTC Mike Ogus
Reading of Names – (Retired) Chief Petty Officer Theodore Horan, (Retired) LTC Mike Ogus, (Retired) 1LT Weston Hall
Closing Remarks – (Retired) Chief Petty Officer Theodore Horan, (Retired) LTC Mike Ogus
Fiddle – “Gary Owen” Rhianna Ramsey
Also, several local Veterans organizations will still drive the parade route along East and West State street at 1:30PM on November 11th to pay tribute to their fellow Veterans. Black Mountain Fire Department is painting the hydrants red, white and blue in honor of our Veterans.
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