Jones County’s 20-plus years of tradition showing appreciation to local veterans continues Saturday with its annual Veterans Appreciation Day celebration.
The kickoff for the event is the Col. Allen Carr Memorial 5K. The 5K begins at 9 a.m., and registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of the W.E. Knox Civic Center. The entry fee for the day of the race is $30.
The 5K was named for Carr last year, who died in 2021. Carr was a member of the Jones County Veterans Committee since its creation in 2001 and also served as committee chairman.
This year’s event will be held outside on the grounds of the W.E. Knox Center, and the program will take place on the stage to the left of the building.
The stage is once again provided by Hart’s Mortuary, Jones County Chapel.
The program will begin at 11 a.m.
Tents for the registration of veterans and the distribution of military service hats and other gifts and memorabilia for veterans will be set up near the stage. Veterans Committee Member Roger Hawke has created another wooden patriotic remembrance to be distributed to veterans.
The Oliver Morton Chapter of the DAR and Gray Garden Club will be on hand to honor veterans, and the Jones County Pilot Club will have baked goods for sale under the covered sidewalk. Next to the Pilot Club, American Legion Post 142 will be distributing its presold chicken dinners.
Veterans Committee Chairman Ret. Col. Richard Combs said the Veterans Walk will return this year, and veterans who wish to participate should line up in the area of the Jones County Cruisers Car Show, near Carol’s Park, at 10:45 a.m.
Combs said the veterans will march from there to the chairs that will be setup in front of the stage. This will be the first time the Veterans March has returned since the program had to be altered due to the pandemic.
The presentation of colors for the program will be performed by the Jones County JROTC Cadets and the music will be provided by the JCHS Band Quartet.
Veterans Committee member and former chairman Frank Duke will act as the master of ceremonies for the program, and the invocation will be led by Rev. Kim Washburn.
Veterans Committee member and Mayor of the City of Gray, Ed Barbee, will read a joint proclamation from Jones County and the City of Gray in honor of Veterans, and Capt. Michael McMillan Senior Army Instructor for the JROTC will speak about the JCHS program.
The drawing for the American Legion Rifle Raffle will be announced by Post Commander Russell Curry.
Duke will give the closing remarks for the program and TAPS will be played by Robbie Thomas.
Service wreaths
At the conclusion of the Veterans Appreciation Program, another event will take place at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Jones County Courthouse.
That ceremony will be led by Scott Walston with Gray Memorial Chapel.
Walton said the program will entail the laying of service wreaths in memory of and in honor of Jones County Veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
