The Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation will host its third annual Patriotic Tribute Nov. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park off I-459 at Liberty Parkway’s exit 23.
Last year, the tribute was selected as the number one patriotic event in the nation by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
The afternoon will be filled with many educational and patriotic activities for veterans and supporters of veterans, both children and adults.
At 1 p.m., the Woodmen of the World will present the park with a new American flag. Visitors can walk along the wooded Memorial Trail, where veterans and veteran-related group members will be stationed to discuss their military experiences.
The America Legion 21 District Flag Disposal Unit will hold a flag disposal ceremony at 2:15 p.m. in Memorial StepStone Plaza to show the proper way to dispose of the American flag. The unit also will be accepting damaged flags for later disposal.
Guests are invited to attend events at 1:30 and 3:30 in the Memorial Plaza at the end of the Memorial Trail. Rob Conrad of Magic 96.5 radio will be the emcee for both ceremonies.
At 1:30 p.m., “Honoring our Fallen Heroes and Their Families” will commemorate and honor the families and the lives of the deceased Alabama veterans whose names have recently been inscribed on the Hall of Honor walls.
Participants in the ceremony will include the Samford University ROTC, soloist Brett Taylor, Birmingham Mayor William Bell, military honor representatives from each branch of service, poet Victoria Bedgood and Homewood Girl Scout Troop 513.
At 3 p.m., visitors may attend a patriotic ceremony, “Honoring Our Veterans,” where all veterans will be honored.
Participants will include the Woodlawn High School ROTC, Magic City Choral Society Chorale, guest speaker LTC James Lake and Fultondale/Gardendale’s Cub Scout Pack 100. Students from Birmingham city schools and Bluff Park Elementary School will present thank-you letters they have written to veterans and veterans’ family members.
While at the Memorial Plaza, guests are encouraged to view the Regiment of Columns, where stories, letters and artwork about Alabama veterans and Alabama’s 24 Medal of Honor recipients and families have been cast in metal and mounted in relief. Walking through the Hall of Honor, guests can see the names of more than 11,000 Alabamians who lost their lives in service to their country in the 20th and 21st centuries.
There is no admission fee. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. The Memorial Trail is wheelchair accessible.
