Veterans Day 2015 in Cumming

From the City of Cumming

Our nation’s veterans and active duty military will be honored during the City of Cumming’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The public is invited to take part in the event, which will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the City’s Veterans War Memorial, 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (next door to the Cumming Police Department).

While the city hosts the event at its war memorial every year, the planning and organization of the ceremony falls to either the local chapter of the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. This year that privilege goes to the VFW Post 9143.

Pete H. Rodda, a retired lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Army, will serve as emcee at the event, and Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt will welcome everyone. The event’s keynote address will be presented by retired U.S. Army Col. Ken Jackson.

Col. Jackson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968, and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers in 1969. Jackson’s unique qualifications include Special Forces, Airborne, and Ranger. His assignments included duties in Europe and Germany, and in 1970 he was deployed to South Vietnam. As advisor with the Alabama Army National Guard, he served in key assignments. He then joined the 20th Special Forces Group and subsequently was assigned to the 135th Supply and Services Battalion. His distinguished career included serving as instructor at the Command and General Staff College in Memphis, Tenn.

Col. Jackson was recognized by five awards of the Bronze Star – three for service and two for valor – as well as two awards of the Army Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal – four for service and two for valor; and numerous other commendations and awards.

He retired after 26 years of service, and although disabled, he is still active in the community. He and his wife, Teresa, reside in Cumming and have two daughters and two granddaughters.

The Cumming Veterans Day Ceremony will also feature musical performances from Forsyth Central High
School’s Flash of Crimson Band, the Forsyth Christian Home Educators Learning Co-Op, and Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth.

Additionally, a 21-gun salute will be presented by the Forsyth County Joint Honor Guard Rifle Team, which includes members of the sheriff’s office and fire department; a patriotic reading will be given by the Daughters of the American Revolution; and “Amazing Grace” and “Taps” will be performed. Also taking part in the ceremony will be the Cumming chapters of Georgia Vietnam Veterans and American Legion Post 307.

Pam Daugherty, one of the event organizers who is a member of the Forsyth Christian Home Educators, said the event typically draws about 400 people, with nearly a quarter of those being veterans or active
duty military personnel.

“I know from speaking with the veterans and military personnel that it is greatly encouraging to look out and see a big crowd,” Daugherty said. “They especially love to see all of the kids there.

“This is a wonderful tradition, a wonderful event that the City of Cumming hosts, and I feel that it is our patriotic, civic duty to show our support as a community.”

The Cumming Veterans Day Ceremony is free and open to everyone.