Nov. 12. Hundreds of Cornelius veterans, residents and civic officials gathered at Cornelius Town Hall on Tuesday for the town’s annual Veterans Day celebration.
Randy Wally from American Legion Post 86 served as master of ceremonies at Rotary Plaza. The event featured performances by the Hough High School choir and U.S. Army veteran Rockie Lynne. Among the songs Lynne’s trio performed was a special tribute to Vietnam veterans, who surrounded the stage while the band played “We want to thank you.”
Woody Washam also delivered his annual address and thanked the crowd as he oversaw his eighth Veterans Day ceremony as mayor of Cornelius.
“In this community we meet action with emotion–we don’t just say thank you–we feel it,” he said. “Let those two words ring heavy and true and let them come from your heart, the same place where courage resides.”
The Hough JROTC posted the colors and conducted the POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony, and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary laid the Wreath of Remembrance.
The featured speaker was Cornelius resident Christie Shein, who spoke in remembrance of her late brother, Master Sergeant Scott Joy. She recounted memories from their childhood and his dash home from conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina to witness her college graduation. Joy passed away in 2023 following his retirement after 27 years of service with the U.S. Army.
The invocation and closing prayer was led by Pastor Paul Turbedsky of Grace Covenant Church.
Photos by Jason Benavides, follow us on instagram for more photos.
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