Plans have been finalized for McMinnville’s Salute to Our Veterans event this Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Park Theater. The Veterans Day celebration will be kicked off at 5:30 p.m. by the Silver and Gold Band with a medley of patriotic tunes.
The Veterans Day observance is being offered free of charge by the city of McMinnville and is being co-sponsored by McMinnville’s Noon Exchange Club through its Veterans Matter program. Dr Pepper is donating drinks, with all those in attendance receiving refreshments.
Following the playing of the national anthem by the Silver and Gold Band, under the direction of Michael Chilcutt, the American Legion Color Guard will present the colors and Girl Scout Troop 1744 will lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The event, which is scheduled to last about an hour, will feature original song compositions by Gary Clendenon and Bonnie and Charles Collier. There will also be a special video.
James Cantrell, Col. Thomas B. Vaughn and Charles Allen will be guest speakers. Phyllis Barnes, state president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, will also speak. The evening will conclude with a salute to all veterans in the audience and the Silver and Gold playing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
In conjunction with Veterans Day, the Standard will upload a video interview with a veteran every day this week beginning Monday. World War II veterans Tony Patrick and Magness Jordan are among the ones who have been interviewed.
The video content is available by visiting the Standard’s website, www.southernstandard.com. The video options are available on the home page.