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Today is the day to honor those who have died in service and there will be Memorial Day ceremonies in Radford, Elliston, Blacksburg, Narrows and Christiansburg to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Starting at 11 a.m. this morning, Radford will hold its ninth annual Memorial Day Service at the Gazebo in Bisset Park. There will be a traditional 21-gun salute, a re-dedication of trees in the Veterans Memorial Garden, music by the Radford High School Band, the reading of the 60 Radford veterans who lost their lives in past wars. Radford Army Ammunition Plant Commander Lt. Col. Jon Drusal will be the keynote speaker and Gary Jackson will play “Taps” on his bugle. Also starting at 11 a.m., the Village of Elliston, along with the Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold a Memorial service at the flagpole, which is located on Rte. 460 (at the traffic light), across from the entrance to Eastern Montgomery High School. The service will feature patriotic music, the raising of the American flag prior to the start. The flag will then be lowered to half-staff during the service. Rev. John Collins of the Seneca Baptist Church will be the keynote speaker. Another Memorial Service, which also starts at 11 a.m., will be held at the Warm hearth Village World War II Memorial Park in Blacksburg. This event, which is being sponsored by American Legion Post 182, is open to anyone who has served in current and past wars. A reception will follow in the Karr Activity Center. The Town of Narrows will hold its fifth annual Memorial Day celebration to honor military, police, fire and medical personnel. Activities start at 3 p.m. with a parade, followed by hot dog sale, concert by the Narrows High School Band. The program will start at 6 p.m. with Randall Fletcher, a Vietnam War Veteran, and Narrows native Sharon Eaton of Pearisburg; a Gulf War veteran will both speak. The event is being sponsored by the Narrows Police Department, Narrows Fire Department and the Green & Gold Booster Club. The day will conclude with a Memorial service at the Sunset Cemetery starting at 6:30 p.m. More than 700 flags decorate the graves of veterans. Gene Morrell, Vietnam War veteran, will speak about his 21 years in the military. American Legion Post 59 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5311 is sponsoring this annual event. Photo: (Top left) The Fairlawn-Radford Ruritan Clun placed these American flags on the hill below Radford High School, as you enter the city from Pulaski County. (Photo by David Grimes)
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