Previous  Events

2024 Orange County Veterans Day Ceremony

Thank you to add who joined us at the 2024 Veterans Day event in Chapel Hill.  On behalf of the Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee, thank you to all.

Orange County Veterans Day Celebration

 Monday, November 11, 2024
11:00 am
Orange County Veterans Memorial at Chapel Hill
2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC

In Case of Rain: Southern Human Services Center
Mark your calendar for Veterans Day 2024

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Program of Events

Introduction & Welcome
John H. Cocowitch, Captain, US Navy (Ret.)

Presentation of Colors
Joint Color Guard, UNC-CH ROTC
Asst. MOI GySgt Wade Perry

Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation
Mark Bell, Mayor, Town of Hillsborough

National Anthem
Joshua Moraja, Midshipman 3/C, Navy ROTC

Introduction of Guest Speaker
John H. Cocowitch, Captain, US Navy (Ret.)

Veterans Day Address
Alfred Scott McLaren, Captain, US Navy (Ret.), Ph.D.

Recognitions of Branches of Service
Dan Hurd, Lt. Colonel, US Army (Ret.)

Fundraising & Construction Update
Bruce Runberg, Captain, CEC, US Navy (Ret.)

Recognition of Elected Officials, Dignitaries
Barbara M. Foushee, Mayor, Town of Carrboro

Closing Remarks
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair, OC Board of Commissioners

Retrieval of Colors
Joint Color Guard, UNC-CH ROTC
Asst. MOI GySgt Wade Perry

Sounding of Taps
Edward Gill, Veteran, US Army

Traffic Control
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Charles Blackwood

Veterans Day Guest Speaker Alfred Scott McLaren, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Ph.D.

Captain Alfred Scott McLaren received his Ph.D. in the Physical Geography of the Polar Regions from the University of Colorado Boulder (1986), an M.Phil. in Polar Studies from the University of Cambridge (Peterhouse), England (1982), and a M.S. in International Affairs from George Washington University (1968). A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in Engineering (1955), U.S. Navy Submarine School (1957), the U.S. Naval War College (1968), and the U.S. Navy Major Shore Commanders Course (1978), Captain McLaren was among the first 50 selected by Admiral H.G. Rickover to attend and graduate from the newly inaugurated Advanced Nuclear Power School in 1959/60.

His first book, Unknown Waters: A First-Hand Account of the Historic Under-Ice Survey of the Siberian Continental Shelf, by USS Queenfish (SSN-651) was published by the University of Alabama Press in January of 2008. It received a full-page review by William Broad in the “Science” section of the New York Times on 18 March 2008 and was chosen as a “Notable Naval Book of 2008” by the U.S. Naval Institute in 2009. His second book, Silent and Unseen: On Patrol in Three Cold War Attack Submarines, was published by the U.S. Naval Institute Press during the spring of 2015. A third book, Emergency Deep: Cold War Missions of a Submarine Commander, which covers his command of USS Queenfish (SSN 651) from 1969 to 1973, was recently published by the University of Alabama Press in May of 2021. All three books are available in hardback, paperback, audio, and kindle on Amazon.com.

 As a naval officer from 1955 to 1981, Captain McLaren made three Arctic expeditions on nuclear attack submarines, one onboard USS Seadragon (SSN-584) during the first submerged transit of the Northwest Passage during the summer of 1960; two others on USS Queenfish (SSN-651): a Davis Strait cruise during the winter of 1967, and a North Pole expedition during the summer of 1970 that included the first survey under ice of the entire Siberian Continental Shelf (5,200 km). He commanded Queenfish during the latter expedition and for a total of four years. He was subsequently honored, in 1983, with the Socíeté de Geographie de Paris’ Silver Medal for Polar Exploration and La Medaille de la Ville De Paris (Echelon Argent).

 A veteran of more than 20 Cold War submarine operations, Captain McLaren’s awards as a Cold War submarine captain include: The Distinguished Service Medal, the nation’s highest peacetime award; two Legions of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, four Navy Unit Citations, and promotion to the rank of Captain two years in advance of his contemporaries. Other tours of duty included gunnery and ASW officer on the destroyer USS Gregory (DD-802), weapons officer on the diesel electric attack submarine USS Greenfish (SS-351); diving officer, navigator and chief engineer on world’s fastest submarine, USS Skipjack (SSN-585); command watch officer during a lengthy Cold War mission on USS Greenling (SSN-614), and pre-commissioning/commissioning executive and later, Commanding Officer of USS Queenfish (SSN-651). He also served at the U.S. Naval War College (student and instructor), operations and chief staff officer at Submarine Development Group Two, Operations and Plans Officer on the staff of Commander Submarine Forces Pacific, and Commanding Officer of a major Department of Defense scientific laboratory of 3200 scientists and engineers and a billion-dollar budget, the U.S. Naval Underwater Systems Center, headquartered at Newport, R.I. He retired as a Captain (O-6) in 1981.           

During July of 2003 Captain McLaren returned to the wreck of R.M.S. Titanic as a diver and lecturer on “Operation Titanic,” also aboard the Russian MIR submersibles. He participated in the expedition to the Nine Degrees North hydrothermal vents in the Pacific during September of 2003 and in May of 2004 was a “Pilot in Command” of the Deep Flight Aviator submersible during a series of marine science-related expeditions throughout the Sea of Cortez. During 2008, 2009 and 2010, as Senior Pilot of the deep-diving Super Aviator submersible, he was part of the Sub Aviator Systems team that used its myriad capabilities for oceanographic research in Lake Tahoe, California; off Lahaina, Maui; the Caribbean, Monterey Bay, and the Florida Keys.

Captain McLaren was elected to the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in November 2021 and recipient of its prestigious “Captain Josef Bernier Medal” for “Arctic and Deep-Sea Exploration and Scientific Research in May of 2023.

He is married to Ms. Avery Battle Russell, former senior executive, editor of the Carnegie Quarterly, and program officer at the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He has four children (one a former USMC officer) by a previous marriage, five grandchildren (three of whom are active duty USMC officers), and two great-granddaughters.

Memorial Day 2024

Memorial Day Chapel Hill
2024 MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM
Monday, May 27, 2024
8:45 am – 10:00 am

Orange County Veterans Memorial Site
2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC
In case of rain: Southern Human Services Center or Seymour Center

___________________________

Call to Order
Mayor Mark Bell, Town of Hillsborough

Posting of Colors
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard under Chief Kevin L. Jones

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Minister Robert Campbell, United States Navy Retired

Welcome
Mayor Barbara M. Foushee, Town of Carrboro

Special Recognitions | Gold Star Families, Branches of Military Service
Representative Valerie P. Foushee, US Congress, 4th District

Acknowledgments | Elected Officials, Dignitaries
James I. Merritt, United States Army, Vietnam

Introduction of Guest Speaker
Representative Renée A. Price, NC General Assembly, HD 50

Memorial Day Address
Andréa Allard, Director of Transition Services
NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

 Update on Memorial & Announcements
Captain Bruce Runberg, United States Navy 

Dedication of the Wreath
Jeff McNeill, US Army, Gulf War

Music and Song in Memoriam
Derone McNeill

Laying of the Wreath
Andréa Allard and Jesse Torres, United States Marine Corps

Taps
Edward H. Gill, American Legion Post 6

Set-up and refreshments provided by Orange County.

Memorial Day Guest Speaker Andréa Allard

Born in Germany to a US Army officer and his German bride after WWII, Andréa Allard comes from a family of military service. Her older brother is a retired CW4 who flew helicopters in the Army, her sister was a Russian linguist, and Andrea was a Polish linguist/Interrogator and Psychological warfare specialist. She enlisted in the Army in 1983 and was discharged honorably in 1986 with the impending birth of her first son. Andréa is a mother of 2 sons, Zac and Sam, and is married to Don, a disabled US Marine Corps veteran she met while at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. After spending the next 20 years raising and homeschooling her children, she went back into the workforce. She worked part-time in retail while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family. When her husband became unable to continue working due to his disabilities, Andréa started working fulltime to support their family with jobs in retail, construction, and eventually coming to the state of North Carolina where she currently serves as Director of Transition Services for the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

2023 Orange County Veterans Day Ceremony

Thank you to all who came out on this Veterans Day 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Thank you to the Orange County Veterans memorial committee.

 Orange County Veterans Day Celebration

 Friday, November 10, 2023
11:00 am
Orange County Veterans Memorial at Chapel Hill
2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC

Mark your calendar for Veterans Day 2023

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Agenda

Master of Ceremony
David Chandler, Colonel, U.S .Air Force (Ret.)

Presentation of Colors
Joint Color Guard, UNC-CH ROTC

Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
Barbara M. Foushee, Council Member, Town of Carrboro

National Anthem
Kenzie Jensen, Cadet, Army ROTC

Welcome
James I. Merritt, US Army (Vietnam)

Recognitions of Branches of Service
John Cocowich, Captain, US Navy (Retired)

Introduction of Guest Speaker
Brie Vihlen, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF

Veterans Day Address
Lt Col (Ret) / Dr. Mark “Clod” Clodfelter
Professor Emeritus, National War College, Washington, DC

Fundraising Update
Lee Heavlin, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Retired)

Recognition of Elected Officials, Dignitaries
Jeff McNeill, Orange County Veterans Services Officer

Song
Derone McNeill

Closing Remarks
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair, OC Board of Commissioners
Renée A. Price, Representative, NC General Assembly

Sounding of Taps
Edward Gill, Veteran, US Army

Traffic Control
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Charles Blackwood

Disabled American Veterans Local Chapter to Host Open House at Carrboro High School

CARRBORO, NC – August 9, 2023 – On Saturday, September 23, 2023, the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) invites veterans, their families, and the community to an open house. This event, starting at 11 AM at Carrboro High School, aims to familiarize attendees with the services available to disabled veterans in the region.

Founded with a noble cause, the DAV is unwaveringly dedicated to a singular purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with the utmost respect and dignity. Their mission statement clarifies, “We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them.”

Regina Merritt, a member of Orange County Veterans Memorial committee and organizer of the Carrboro DAV event, emphasizes the importance of understanding the challenges veterans face. “Every veteran is affected by service. Health problems, employment issues, and struggles in accessing their rightfully earned benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. These are some of the most common issues they grapple with,” Merritt explains, “and that’s where the DAV steps in to provide essential support.” For information on the national chapter: https://www.dav.org/

Currently, the chapter extends its valuable services to Orange County and the neighboring areas.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Carrboro High School, 101 Rock Haven Rd., Carrboro, NC

Note: Everyone is welcome to attend!

For further details or queries, kindly contact:
Regina Merritt
Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee
919-360-8383
queenmerritt@gmail.com

2023 Orange County Memorial Day Ceremony

Dozens of people came out to the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill to pay their respects to those who sacrificed for our country and attend the Orange County Veterans Memorial committee’s annual remembrance event.

“On this solemn day together, we have gathered to remember courageous men and women,” said North Carolina Representative and Orange County resident, Rene Price.

“MILITARY SERVICE OFTEN COMES WITH IMMENSE SACRIFICE. WE MUST NEVER FORGET THE STORIES AND THE HISTORIES OF OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN,” PRICE SAID, “THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE SERVED AND THAT STILL SERVE TODAY REPRESENT THE BEST OF OUR NATION.”

Memorial Day

2023 MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

Monday, May 29, 2023
10:45 am – 11:30 am

Veterans Memorial Site
2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC
In case of rain: Southern Human Services Center or Seymour Center

___________________________

Agenda

 Call to Order
Hon. Hathaway Pendergrass, District Court Judge, Judicial District 15B

Posting of Colors
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard under the instruction of Major Kevin L. Jones

Invocation
Rev. Dr. Rodney Coleman, First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill

Pledge of Allegiance
Nevaeh’ Hodge, Chapel Hill/Carrboro NAACP Youth Council

Welcome
Hon. Barbara M. Foushee, Council Member, Town of Carrboro

Special Recognitions | Gold Star Families, Branches of Military Service
Regina Merritt, District 12 Vice Commander, American Legion

Acknowledgments | Elected Officials, Dignitaries
Hon. Jenn Weaver, Mayor, Town of Hillsborough

Introduction of Guest Speaker
Sgt. Tony Garcia, American Legion Post 6 Commander 

Memorial Day Address
Sgt. Maj. Devell “Bo” Durham, Internal Affairs, American Legion

Update on Memorial
Capt. Bruce Runberg, United States Navy (Retired), Vietnam

Dedication of the Wreath
Hon. Renée A. Price, Representative, District 50, NC General Assembly

Laying of the Wreath
Sgt. Maj. Devell “Bo” Durham and James I. Merritt

Taps
Edward H. Gill, American Legion Post 6

Remember The Fallen On Memorial Day

US Marine Corps Retired Sgt. Major Devell “Bo” Durham Jr., a Gulf War Veteran, will speak at Orange County Veterans’ Memorial Day Event, Monday, May 29, 2023 in Chapel Hill

Sergeant Major Devell “Bo” Durham, Jr., (USMC Retired) was accepted in the Marine Corps delayed entry program in January 1980, at seventeen years of age.

He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy N.Y. in 1980 and four days later he underwent recruitment training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.

His military active-duty service of 30 plus years would send him to diverse locations that included South Korea, Tokyo, Iwakuni and Camp Fuji Japan, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Philippines, Palu, Hawaii, Kwajalein Island, Guam, Diego Garcia, Afghanistan, and concluding on Okinawa, Japan.

Bo Durham’s personal awards include:

• Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (two gold stars in lieu of third award)
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award)
• Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
• Humanitarian Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (10th award) and various Unit and Campaign Awards.

Currently, he serves as the American Legion (AL) National Security Commission Member, Chairman AL Department of North Carolina Internal Affairs Commission, Chairman AL Department of N.C. War on Terror Committee.

Among other accolades, he is the Vice President of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners Veterans Advisory Board, and an Executive Board member of Tuscarora Council Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Bo Durham serves on the board of directors as the secretary for Victory Academy & Victory Church of Raleigh.

2022 Orange County Veterans Day Ceremony

Thank you to all who came out on this Veterans Day 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Thank you to the Orange County Veterans memorial committee.

 Orange County Veterans Day Celebration

 Friday, November 11, 2022
11:00 am
Southern Human Services Campus
2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC

Mark your calendar for Veterans Day 2022. This year, Veterans Day, November 11, 2022, falls on a Friday. 

____________________

Agenda

Master of Ceremony
James I. Merritt, US Army (Vietnam)

Posting of Colors
UNC ROTC Joint-Service Color Guard

Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
Lee Heavlin, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Ret.)

National Anthem
Cadet Jacob Ratashak

Welcome
Col. Fred Black, US Army (Ret.)

Recognitions of Branches of Service
Regina Merritt, US Army

Introduction of Guest Speaker
Kevin Guskiewicz, Chancellor, University of North Carolina

Veterans Day Address
Major General George Higgins, US Army (Ret.)
Read Major General George Higgins’ Bio (PDF)

Fundraising Update
Bruce Runberg, Captain, US Navy (Ret.)

Recognition of Elected Officials, Dignitaries
Barbara Foushee, Council Member, Carrboro Town Council

Closing Remarks
Renee Price, Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners

Traffic Control
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Charles Blackwood

Retiring of the Colors

Sounding of Taps

Memorial Day

2022 MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

Monday, May 30, 2022
9:00 am

Veterans Memorial Site
2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC
In case of rain: Southern Human Services Center or Seymour Center

___________________________

Agenda

Call to Order
James Merritt, United States Army

Posting of Colors
The Honorable Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood and
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard under the instruction of Major Kevin L. Jones

Invocation
Reverend Norris Trice (retired Army- Vietnam)

Pledge of Allegiance
Lee Heavlin, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Retired); Vietnam, Korea Defense

Welcome
James Merritt, United States Army, Vietnam

Special Recognitions | Gold Star Families, Military
Renée A. Price, Chair, Board of County Commissioners, Orange County

Acknowledgments | Elected Officials, Dignitaries
Dr. Peggy Wilmoth, Major General (retired Army)

Introduction of Guest Speaker
David Chandler, United States Air Force, Persian Gulf 

Memorial Day Address
Theodore “Ted” W. Triebel
Captain – United States Navy (Retired)
Naval Aviator – Vietnam War

Update on Memorial
Bruce Runberg, Captain, United States Navy (Retired), Vietnam

Laying of the Wreath
Ted Triebel and Bruce Runberg

Taps
Edward H. Gill

Speaker: Theodore “Ted” W. Triebel
Captain – United States Navy (Retired)
Naval Aviator – Vietnam War
Aircraft Shot Down: August 27, 1972
Released from Captivity: March 29, 1973

Ted Triebel graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1964 and received his wings January 1966. He completed training in the F4 “Phantom” at NAS Miramar, California and joined VF-213, the Black Lions, for two combat cruises to Southeast Asia aboard the Kitty Hawk (CVA-63). He received orders to Air Force exchange in August 1968 and flew with the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the Black Sheep, at Holloman AFB, New Mexico for two years. After a short refresher in VF-121, he joined VF-151, the Vigilantes, in November 1970. He completed a third combat cruise and was halfway through the fourth when he landed in North Vietnam. It was 27 August 1972. He was released on 29 March 1973. On June 4, 2022, North Carolina Military Appreciation Day, a ceremony will be held to honor Ted Triebel and seven other individuals the Advisory Committee of the Military Hall of Firsts has selected for induction into the inaugural class of the North Carolina Military Hall of Firsts. 

2021 Orange County Veterans Day Ceremony

Thanks to all who came out for our Veterans Day ceremony, November 11, 2021.

 Orange County Veterans Day Celebration

 Thursday, November 11, 2021
11:00 am
Southern Human Services Campus
2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC

Mark your calendar for Veterans Day 2021. This year, Veterans Day, November 11, 2021, falls on a Thursday. Watch the Veterans Day Celebration on Facebook live! https://www.facebook.com/orangecountyveteransmemorial

Parking available at site. Meet-and-Greet with Refreshments following Ceremony.   

Memorial Day

2021 MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

Monday, May 31, 2021
7:45 am – 8:30 am

Veterans Memorial Site, off Homestead Road
In case of rain: Southern Human Services Center or Seymour Center

___________________________

Call to Order
James Merritt, United States Army

Posting of Colors
The Honorable Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood and
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard under the instruction of Major Kevin L. Jones

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance
Lee Heavlin, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Retired); Vietnam, Korea Defense

Welcome
James Merritt, United States Army, Vietnam

Special Recognitions | Gold Star Families, Military
Renée A. Price, Chair, Board of County Commissioners, Orange County

Acknowledgments | Elected Officials, Dignitaries

Barbara M. Foushee, Mayor Pro-Tem, Town of Carrboro

Introduction of Guest Speaker
David Chandler, United States Air Force, Persian Gulf 

Memorial Day Address
Nick Palmisciano, CEO of Diesel Jack Media

Founder of Ranger Up, Former United States Army Infantry Officer

 Update on Memorial
Bruce Runberg, Captain, United States Navy (Retired), Vietnam

 Laying of the Wreath
Nick Palmisciano and Bruce Runberg 

Taps
Edward H. Gill

Nick Palmisciano

Nick Palmisciano will speak at the May 31, 2021 Orange County Memorial Day ceremony sponsored by the Orange County Veterans Memorial committee. See complete agenda above.

Nick is the CEO of Diesel Jack Media, a full-service marketing agency. He has a passion for entrepreneurship, creative works spanning film, writing, and art, Italian food, and combat sports.

Nick served as an infantry officer in the United States Army.  While he was awarded various ribbons, badges, and tabs including the coveted Ranger Tab, he is most proud of being the only officer in history to train his platoon to deliver the entire opening cheer to the movie “Bring it on” for his chain of command in response to being asked to “put together a platoon mantra that really represents your unit.” To this day, he maintains that they were, in fact, “sexy, cute, and popular to boot,” despite a differing opinion from his chain of command at the performance’s end.

Upon leaving the military, Nick landed at Fortune 100 Company John Deere after a brief hiatus in business school.  While at Deere, Nick held jobs in business development and corporate acquisitions, government sales, and corporate brand licensing.  His second favorite memory at Deere was being chewed out by the VP of Public Affairs for convincing David Letterman to feature John Deere licensed products on the David Letterman Show with a well-crafted letter and a crate of green tractor toys, but without corporate permission (oops).  But his absolute favorite memory was convincing HR that they needed a John Deere Fight Club and getting them to buy the mats for it.

In 2006, Nick created Ranger Up, the first military lifestyle brand, which kicked off a decade and change of veteran entrepreneurial endeavors focused on digital marketing and social media.  Ranger Up became a leader in the veteran community, with such strong support that it has consistently landed in Internet Retailer’s Second 500 since 2012, selling over $100M in t-shirts since inception.

Nick holds an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

2020 Orange County Veterans Day Ceremony

Thanks to all who came out for our Veterans Day ceremony, November 11, 2020.

 Orange County Veterans Day Celebration

 Wednesday, November 11, 2020
11:00 am
Southern Human Services Campus
2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC

 Mark your calendar for Veterans Day 2020. This year, Veterans Day, November 11, 2020, falls on a Wednesday. This event is free and open to the public. MASKS REQUIRED AND SOCIAL DISTANCING EXPECTED AND RESPECTED

Watch the Veterans Day Celebration on Facebook live! https://www.facebook.com/orangecountyveteransmemorial

Parking available at site. Meet-and-Greet with Refreshments following Ceremony.   

Memorial Day

Schedule of Events
Monday, May 25, 2020
11:00 am
Orange County Veterans Memorial Site
Near Seymour Center in Chapel Hill

_________________

Welcome
David Chandler, U.S. Air Force, Persian Gulf

Invocation
Barbara M. Foushee, Carrboro Town Council member

Pledge of Allegiance

Remarks/Presentation
Fred Black, Colonel, US Army (Retired); Vietnam

Status of Veterans Memorial Phase 2
Bruce Runberg, Co-Chairman, Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired); Vietnam

Taps
Lee Heavlin, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Retired); Vietnam, Korea Defense

Close

Lee Heavlin

Chapel Hill, May 12, 2020

Memorial Day is fast approaching, and recognition of this holiday is important to area veterans. It is also a time of reflection for the children and grandchildren of those who served.

Area veterans will gather in smaller groups for Memorial Day this year, including at the building site of the Orange County Veterans Memorial. Others will gather at area cemeteries. It may be the only time of the year that some graves are visited.

I have been quieter this past month as the “Stay at Home” order kept me mostly inside. My idle mind could not help but float off too far off places, memories of family and self, and thoughts of achievements and what is yet possible. My thoughts often took me back to my thirty years of service and the many places I served. But, most of all my thoughts were of family and those of who served in the military. It was a time to reflect.

If you have been thinking about your family and their contributions to our Country, there is an opportunity for you to memorialize them with a brick paver at the Orange County Veterans Memorial. Bricks are available in two sizes and offer up to three or six lines of text. We are finalizing construction bid reviews. Your order today will be placed near the center of the memorial. Visit https://ocveteransmemorial.com/memorial-brick-pavers/ to place your order for a paver or https://ocveteransmemorial.com/donate/ to donate toward construction.

Most of all, take time on this special holiday to honor your family heroes. Pull out the family scrapbooks and share their stories with your children. It is Memorial Day—a day to honor the dead.

Lee Heavlin
Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee
169 Boone Square St, #223
Hillsborough, NC  27278

Thanks to all who came out for our Veterans Day ceremony, November 11, 2019.

Orange County Veterans Day Celebration 

November 11, 2019
11:00 am
Southern Human Services Campus
2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC

Mark your calendar for Veterans Day 2019. This year, Veterans Day, November 11, 2019, falls on a Monday.

Representative David E. Price (U.S. Congress, 4th District) will deliver a presentation at the 2019 Veterans Day ceremony November 11, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the Southern Human Services Campus, 2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC. The event recognizes our Veterans who have selflessly served their country. This event is free and open to the public.

Parking available at site. Meet-and-Greet with Refreshments following Ceremony. 

2019 Ranger Up Grappling Classic Recap

The Ranger Up Grappling Classic was once again a huge success, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the Orange County Veterans Memorial! Here’s a little recap of the event and the featured match between legends Dave Camarillo and Tim Kennedy. Special thanks to The Fight Game for putting this video together! www.facebook.com/RangerUpFanPage/videos/vb.16657934149/586963298708984/?type=2&theater