Memorial Day activities on tap

For more information, call Catherine Daniel at 706-652-2565.

Jefferson Observation

The Albert Gordon Post 56 of the American Legion, Jefferson, will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 28, at 8:30 a.m., next to the historic courthouse in downtown Jefferson.

The program will include a solemn recitation of the names of those from Jackson County who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Participants in the program include the Jefferson Police Department Honor Guard, local high school JROTC units, musician Brooks Benton and special guest speaker Col. Merritt B. Pound, USAF (Ret.).

Col. Pound is a University of Georgia graduate and decorated Vietnam veteran. He has served as a pilot, administrator and university professor. He lives in Athens with his wife, Evlyn.

The Georgia Patriot Guard, along with the American Legion Riders, will provide a flag line. Coffee and water will be available.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony as the Legion remembers all those who have served and are serving now in the Armed Forces. The ceremony will last about 45 minutes. In the event of rain, the event will be held at the Albert Gordon Post of the American Legion, located at 309 Lee Street, Jefferson.

LZ Friendly

Veterans of all America wars and military conflicts are welcome to attend the annual Memorial Day weekend get-together at LZ Friendly in Madison County May 25-28.

“It’s just a way to welcome home veterans,” said LZ Friendly president Bosie Griffith. “We just want to welcome any veteran who will join us.”

The public is also urged to make the trek to 1050 Johnny McElroy Road, Colbert, off Hwy. 29 to view the “Some Gave All Wall,” which is dedicated to those who lost their lives since 1975 in the Iraq wars, Afghanistan and 9/11.

There will also be a “war dog memorial” this year by Johnny Mayo in honor of the dogs that died in the line of duty.

The event, which has been held annually since 1985, opens Friday at 7 a.m., with an opening ceremony set for 10 a.m. and runs through Monday, May 28, at noon.

The weekend includes plenty of entertainment, including musical acts the Old School Outlaws from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, The Common People Band from 9 p.m. to midnight Friday and Butch and the Buckheads beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. Karaoke is planned for Sunday night.

There will also be somber moments of remembrance, such as the flag retirement ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday in honor of fallen service men and women and a candlelight memorial service at dark Saturday.

The cost for the event is $15 per day or $35 for the weekend and includes two meals per day. There are 20 RV camper sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis and a $5 camper fee for power.

For more information, contact Griffith at 706-658-7266 or visit lzfriendly.org.

Banks County

The Banks County American Legion will hold its annual Memorial Day program at 10 a.m. Monday at Veterans Memorial Park in Homer.

The guest speaker will be William “Bill” Grant of Toccoa.

Those planning to attend should bring a lawn chair as there is no seating available in the park.