Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1040072
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM OCTOBER 17-23, 2018 UCW 15 Melody Foote Director of Communications Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau PATRIOTS, PAST & PRESENT CULTURAL HERITAGE TRAIL HEROES HOMECOMING 6 CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL OF SERVICE The Communi es of Cumberland County, along- side the Faye eville Area Conven on and Visi- tors Bureau (FACVB), have announced that the sixth annual Heroes Homecoming celebra on will be dedicated to acknowledging the sacrifice and service of our country's brave veterans as well as their families. This year also marks the 100 year anniversary of Armis ce Day (now known as Veterans Day) as well as 100 years of Fort Bragg, the country's largest military installa on. Because of these important anniversaries, the theme of Heroes Homecoming 6 will be "A Centennial of Service." As the point of departure and return for thou- sands of soldiers, the Faye eville area has always had a unique bond with veterans. Cumberland County has hosted Heroes Homecoming since 2011, helping it to become the largest com- memora on and reunion of its kind. "With so many amazing military anniversaries this year, what a perfect way to honor all those who have B U L L E T I N ABOUT THE AUTHOR The Faye eville community has a long standing military tradi on from the American Revolu on through the U.S. Civil War to the men and women serving on Fort Bragg and Pope Army Air Field (formerly Pope Air Force Base). Sites on the Patriots, Past & Present Trail illumi- nate this history. Two sites are highlighted here. To see the en re trail, visit www.Faye evilleNCTrails.com Near Liberty Point, in June 1775, a group of 55 patriots signed a document of freedom, popu- larly known as the "Liberty Point Resolves," one year before the Declara on of Independence was signed. A granite boulder commemorates their pledge to their country and bears the names of the fi y-five signers. Cross Creek Cemetery contains graves of veterans from the Revolu onary War through the Spanish- American War. On the grounds stands the first Confederate Monument in NC, erected in 1868. The money to build the monument was raised by local women who sold raffle shares at $1.00, raising $300. The quilt was later presented to Jef- ferson Davis, the ex-President of the Confederate States of America, by the winner of the raffle. been involved, both at home and abroad, than by dedica ng Heroes Homecoming 6 to them," said John Meroski, CEO of FACVB. "In years past, our community has honored veterans from vari- ous conflicts. This year we will honor everyone from spouses, children, and volunteers for the sacrifices they have made while suppor ng our troops." Marquee events during this year's celebra on include: • Veterans Day Concert & Art Exhibit - Airborne & Special Opera ons Museum - Nov 9 • Veterans Day Parade - Downtown Faye eville - Nov 10 • Heroes Homecoming Motorcycle Rally - Ft Bragg Harley-Davidson - Nov 10 • Centennial of Service Speaker Series - Airborne & Special Opera ons Museum - Nov 10 In addi on to honoring veterans and their fami- lies through local events November 8-12, Heroes Homecoming is also challenging businesses and organiza ons to par cipate in the Missing Man Table Ini a ve as a way to inspire and help edu- cate the public on the importance and symbolism of the display. The Missing Man Table, similar to the Fallen Comrade Table, honors the memory of missing or imprisoned military service members. To date, North Carolina has more unaccounted- for veterans than any state in the Southeast, with a recorded 1,536 POW/MIA's. Currently, more than 150 area businesses and organiza ons have pledged to par cipate, with the number growing every day. Learn more at www.HeroesHomecoming.com.