Category Archives: Memorial Day

Finally, It’s Here…. From a dream to reality

One can not help but become a little emotional when their email flag pops up with a teaser notice that affects them.   It read, “All Done!!!  It looks great!   Just need the flag flying now!”  Excitement and pride swelled and I just thought, :Wow! Awesome!”

The memorial started as an idea that grew among local veterans, as they confronted the reality of no civic memorial to veterans existed in Chapel Hill or in Orange County.  Their idea flickered like a flame in a window.  Sometimes it just blew out, but the dream stayed alive, and veterans kept asking, “Why Not?”  They went through a lot of meetings, led fundraising events, shared the story of the memorial, and just pressed on.  Patience and Persistence… and a lot of “We can do it!”  And, so we did.

We are especially grateful to the Commissioners of Orange County for their vision and faith in our project.  Without their continuing support, the use of the Homestead Site, and funding, the memorial would still be just be “a candle in a window.”

And, above all, we thank you, the donors.  Be it a quarter in a can, a dollar, a paver purchase, or a more generous gift, your help proved to others that the memorial was supported by the community.  That encouraged others to step forward.

The start to finish story that brings us to the completion of Phase II (we have more to do and Phases III, IV, and V in planning) is yet to be written.  But, I digress from the core story.  Phase II is essentially done!  (We are still waiting on the granite plaques that will go on the stonework.)

Our stonemasons from Custom Stone NC did a wonderful job of taking the designs of David Swanson of Carrboro and brought them to life.  Where there was crushed stone walkways and the rough form of a flag plaza with a temporary flagpole, now stands a beautiful memorial.  Custom Stones’ stonemasons gave it life!  What do you think?

We have published online lots of current pictures of the memorial taking shape over the last few months.  You can view the construction and finished work photos by clicking here or on the flag plaza photo to the right.

Don’t you want to see it?  You can on Monday, May 31st, at 8 a.m., when we unveil the site to the public.  Warning, 8 a.m. is when we start our event.  We recommend you arrive no later than 7:45 a.m.  We do start on time.

Pavers have been installed!  Did you order one?  It’s here!  Bring your camera.

You will want to order a  paver once you have seen how tastefully they look encircling the flagpole.  Don’t worry, we are taking orders for Phase III placement.  Click on the link for ordering pavers and send your order to us at Orange County Veterans Memorial, Inc., 169 Boone Square St., #223, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

Cash donations, IRA distributions, gifts from groups and estates are welcome.  The Memorial is an IRS 501(c)(3).  Contact us for more information.

 

Chapel Hill, NC – Lee Heavlin, 5/28/2021

 

 

Memorial Day Remembrance – A Very Special Event

We’ve noticed that some do not know that the American Flag or “National Ensign” is honored twice a day–all over the world. This is one of the very first things that a new recruit or officer candidate learns. The Army raises their flag at 0630 for Reveille, but the Navy raises or hoists their colors over every ship and station at 0800. Come join us on Memorial Day, May 28th, at 07:45 am and share in an American tradition–just one of many.

Be sure to be early so that you will be able to watch the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard prepare for the ceremony at about 07:45 am.  They will loosen the lanyard and rig the flag for raising.  They then stand at attention until exactly 08:00 am when the presiding officer calls out, “Attention to Colors!”  and the bugler plays “To the Colors,” as the flag is briskly raised to the top and then lowered to Half Staff to honor Memorial Day.  Everyone remains at “Attention” until the last note is sounded and then hears, “Two” signaling completion of honors.

Your sense of pride should, by then, be welling up inside.  What you have just witnessed is done at every military installation and on every U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ship around the world.  If you have someone serving today, know that they are doing the very same thing somewhere.  It is a time-honored, sacred tradition.  Learn more

We will also have an honored guest and a few brief speakers to share with you other Memorial Day traditions.

The Blue Knights, North Carolina Chapter X, is joining us as Rally Event Marshals and they have invited Riders from Orange and neighboring counties to join them for our remembrance event.  The Blue Knights are our men and women in blue (law enforcement officers) who join together to honor fallen officers and to help support worthy causes.  We expect more than 200 riders and friends.

With riders come flags and motorcycles!  That signals a “Rally Tour.”  You will know when it starts as you see the riders head for their motorcycles and mount them to the sound of kickstands snapping upwards and the hum or rumble of pure power waiting to thrust forward toward the open road and a one hour tour of beautiful Orange County.  You’ll stand by the roadway in awe and be wishing you were joining them.  If you have a motorcycle, you can.  Everyone is invited to join in on the “Tour.”

Riders will parade from our Homestead Road site toward Efland, Hillsborough, and stops in between.  Then they will continue on their ride through picturesque back roads of Orange County.  They will eventually arrive at the American Legion Chapel Hill Post 6 (1714 Legion Road) at about 10 am.  You are welcome to head there to meet them and wave them in. 

The American Legion is hosting their Annual Open House and Memorial Day Celebration.  Maple View Ice Cream will be there with their mobile trailer.  The Post will have historical memorabilia on display at 10 am, a memorial service at 11 am, and a Village Band Concert at 12:30 pm.  Hot dogs and a beverage will be served by Boy Scout Troop 805 and is funded by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

So, what are you doing on Memorial Day?  Should it not start and end with a remembrance event that is family oriented?  An event that you will participate in and leave with a strong sense of pride in your community and our rich history.  Bring your kids.  Bring the grandchildren.  Make this event a family tradition–your family tradition.

Please help us share the word about this special event.  Share a copy of our event flyer or share this page on FaceBook and Twitter. 

QUICK LINKS

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Groundbreaking Ceremony – Memorial Day

Lots of work has been done with the formalizing of the memorial design and it is now time to break ground! 

The fundraising campaign for the Orange County Veterans Memorial is underway and seeks to raise $75,000 by the end of May. The official groundbreaking ceremony for the planned memorial will be held at the Southern Human Services campus (2501 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill) at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day (Monday, May 29). The Veterans Memorial will pay tribute to the thousands of men and women from Orange County who served or are serving in the U.S. armed forces. It will be funded by private donations with support and land donation from Orange County and additional support from the Town of Chapel Hill. 
“This memorial is a gift from the residents and friends of Orange County to the many veterans who served or are serving and have called Orange County home,” said Bruce Runberg, U.S. Navy (Retired) and Vietnam Veteran who is Co-Chair of the Veterans Memorial Fundraising Committee. “It is to remember all the men and women who served in our armed forces.”
“We want to remember those who protected our nation by creating a memorial that will honor their service and sacrifice,” said Jim Merritt, former Chapel Hill Town Councilman and Vietnam Veteran who co-chairs the committee with Runberg. “It’s a way for our community to say we are proud of the service these veterans provided.”

The memorial will include walking trails and exhibits honoring all branches of the military. Residents can donate to the memorial through the Orange County Community Giving Fund (ocncgiving.org). Checks may be sent to the address below. Please be sure to indicate the gift is for the Veterans Memorial.
Orange County Community Giving Fund
Financial Services
PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Construction of the memorial, including the landscaping, will be fully paid for through donations.  You can make your donation by clicking on “Donations” in the taskbar above, or just CLICK HERE.