The 2022 Orange County Veterans Day Celebration will take place Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Orange County Veterans Memorial located on the Southern Human Services Campus, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC.
For the first time, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will join Orange County leaders in a joint ceremony. All of the University’s ROTC programs (Army, Navy, and Air Force) will be represented at the ceremony.
Carrboro Town Council Member Barbara Foushee will be participating in the ceremony.
Live music will be provided by Russell Howard of The Auxiliary. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz, will speak. Guskiewicz, a neuroscientist, academic leader and concussion researcher, is the 12th chancellor of the university.
The special guest speaker is Major General George Alan Higgins, US Army (Ret.). General Higgins entered West Point in July 1968 and graduated in June 1972, commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry. General Higgins holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Virginia and a Master of Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. General Higgins has served in command and staff positions throughout the field Army in the United States and overseas. After 36+ years on active duty, General Higgins retired from the Army on May 1, 2008. His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal and Legion of Merit Award among others. Higgins is married to the former Marilyn Ann Barrs and they have two sons, Jeff and Steve, both serving in the Army. George and Marilyn have two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren.
The mission of the Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee is to provide a living memorial to those who have served our country in the uniformed services since the founding of our nation. For more information: https://ocveteransmemorial.com/about/ .
VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
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.)
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
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