Smithfield VFW hosts Veterans Day ceremony
Published 1:06 pm Friday, December 1, 2017
- The Smithfield High School JROTC presented the colors close to the start of the ceremony.
SMITHFIELD
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545 hosted their annual Veterans Day program on Nov. 11 at the Isle of Wight Veterans Memorial on North Church Street in Smithfield.
The ceremony began with the sounding of “Six Bells” by Lynn Moran, QMC (SS) Retired of the Navy, followed by welcoming remarks from emcee and past commander Christopher Garrett, Ltc. Army Retired.
The Smithfield High School JROTC presented the colors, and then Joel Joyner directed the Smithfield High School Band, accompanied by Nancy Griffin.
Following the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, which was led by the JROTC, post Chaplain John Edwards gave the invocation.
Supervisor William M. McCarty Sr., Smithfield Mayor Carter Williams and Post Commander Pat Connolly made remarks about the occasion.
Bishop Nathaniel C. Johnson, who is retired from the Army, was the guest speaker at the ceremony on Nov. 11. With him in this photo are Retired Navy Capt. Matt Skeeter, first vice commander of the American Legion Post 49. They are listening to Retired Marine Ltc. Herb DeGroft, coordinator of the ceremony for VFW Post 8545.
Bishop Nathaniel C. Johnson, who is retired from the Army, was the guest speaker.
Suzzann Pittman, president of the Post 8545 Auxiliary, and Shelley Riley, president of the American Legion Post Auxiliary 49 placed commemorative wreaths at the site.
Nancy Griffin led in singing “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America” and “Amazing Grace.”
Following a benediction given by Post 49 Chaplain Charles T. More, a 21-gun salute was fired three times from seven guns. The band performed Taps and the JROTC concluded by retiring the colors.
Information is provided by John Brayshaw of the Post 8545.
