Preparations have begun for Jones County’s eighth annual Veterans Appreciation Day that will take place Nov. 8.

The annual event began in 2001 and was already scheduled before the events of 9/11. The day has grown in attendance each year and continues to honor all servicemen and women who have taken the oath to defend the United States of America.

The second meeting for this year’s appreciation day took place June 5 and plans are already taking shape with the hunt for the keynote speaker one of the few details not settled.

Committee chairman Frank Duke reported that the engraving of granite pavers purchased during the past year has been completed, and committee member Evelyn Collins said she will be manning a booth at the Jones County Fair to keep information about the pavers before the public.

The paving stones are the foundation for the Jones County Veterans Memorial, which is located at the courthouse. The stones honor Jones County veterans and contain their names, branch of military service, and dates of service. The cost of the pavers is $75 each and forms are available at the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce.

The theme of the 2008 Veterans Appreciation Day was discussed, and it was tentatively agreed to be ‘heroes across generations’.

“We talked about making special guests of all veterans,” Duke recalled.

The idea of a video presentation of several veterans at the ceremony and of a slide show of previous appreciation days were among the new items being considered for this year’s event. Bobby Bentley agreed to help with the videos, and Allan Green volunteered to coordinate the slide presentation.

Dr. Bob Cramer said he will ask Security Bank of Jones County to once again sponsor the Moonwalk for the event, and he will ask the local Boy Scouts to help.

At the close of the meeting, Duke asked to be replaced as chairman. He said he wants to remain on the committee but feels it is important to have new leadership to take the event to the next level.

Francis Adams nominated Richard Combs as the new chairman, and he agreed to accept the position. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., July 10. Any interested parties are invited to attend.

Veterans committee members are: Francis Adams, Jim LeBrun, Allen Carr, Pam

Christopher, Dr. Bob Cramer, Evelyn Collins, Earl Colvin, Pat Daniels, Sheila Dobbs, Frank Duke, Allan Green, Fleta Harper, Evelyn Hill, Charlotte Hinson, Jim Moughon, Debbie Lurie-Smith, Richard Combs, and Carmen Copeland.