Up & Coming Weekly

8 UCW OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2009 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM If any town can boast about its military heroes, it would be Fayetteville, N.C. Home to the largest military base in the United States and one of the largest populations of veterans — and by population, the largest Army installation in the world — Fayetteville has a history of deep pride in its residents. This Veterans Day, Saturday Nov. 7, Historic Downtown Fayetteville will host the annual Veterans Day Parade. Over 1,200 participants will partake in this year's parade, including Active Duty, Reserve and Guard soldiers, JROTC and ROTC programs, retired military re-enactors, representatives from veterans organizations, members of the 82nd Airborne Association and the American Legion, various heritage groups and military service organizations, and disabled veterans. All participants in the parade are military except for local high school bands. Sights at the parade include equipment displays, C-130 flyovers, rifle routines, military vehicles and weapons systems. This year will be the 12th year for the parade. It begins at 11 a.m. at the corner of Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard and ends at Robeson Street, in front of the Cumberland County courthouse. For those in need of seating accommodations, bleachers are available at the intersection of Hay Street and R ay Street with the capacity for approximately 300 people. Afterwards, a free concert in appreciation of the parade participants and military families will be held at 1 p.m. at Festival Park. All attending the parade are encouraged to stay for the concert. Bands Dakota R ain and TelluRide will perform a free concert, which is sure to add excitement to the annual Veterans Day Parade event. Don Talbot, a retired Green Beret, community activist, and former Fayetteville city councilman, is the coordinator and director of the Veterans Day Parade. He is also the chairman of Fayetteville's Freedom Memorial Park. Talbot is excited for this year's parade, which he describes as a chance for people to show off the military units and organizations of which they are a part. "It is an opportunity for the community to express their thanks and support to those in the military," said Talbot. He added that the parade has been "very successful in the past", drawing crowds of spectators ranging from 5,000 to 8,000. "The annual Veterans Day Parade is the kind of glue that connects our community of history, heroes, and hometown feeling," said Talbot. "The parade brings all of those things together. It embraces all parts of our community." He encourages all in attendance to take a moment to visit Freedom Memorial Park. This scenic park is located at the starting point for the parade and was started in 1998 by Talbot. In 2003, he formed an official committee for the park and broke ground. It serves as a tribute to the services and sacrifices of America's military heroes. The park was created entirely by donations and Talbot depends on the surrounding community for the funds to maintain this valuable tribute to the military heroes of our nation. Custom engraved granite and brick pavers are available for purchase to be placed in the park to honor service members from any branch and their families. As Talbot himself says, "C 'mon down" to the parade and make sure to "Be there early." For more information about Freedom Memorial Park, visit www.freedommemorialpark. Events Pay Homage to Fayetteville's Veterans by SHANNON DILL The The FRESH CAFE Good Food...Naturally SM 21 2 Hay St. • 9 1 0-323-4 1 00 21 2 Hay St. • 9 1 0-323-4 1 00 The FRESH CAFE 21 2 Hay St. • 9 1 0-323-4 1 00 • Organic / Natural Salads, Sandwiches,Wraps, Quiches and Soups • Assorted Selection of Micro Beer and Wine Hours: Mon-Tue 1 1-3; Wed-Sat 1 1-9; Closed Sunday So Cute! So Fun! So Chic! So Cute! So Fun! So Chic! +D\6WUHHW So Chic Bébé So Chic Bébé So Chic Bébé So Chic Bébé So Chic Bébé 58 days til Christ mas! days til Christ mas! F ind all you r u niqu e gifts here. SHANNON DILL, Contributng Writer COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com

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